The Reason Yogurt Could Be Making You Happy!
You've probably heard of probiotics in
connection to the latest of dietary trends because these bacteria
promote good gastrointestinal (GI) and digestive health. But what are
the effects of these bacteria outside of the realm of digestion?
In recent years, a field of study called
'microbial endocrinology', in which the fields of microbiology,
endocrinology and neurophysiology intersect, has provided some important
insights into the relationship between these bacteria in our guts and
our moods. Studies have shown that GI microbes like probiotics regulate
the endocrine system, the system that controls the release of certain
hormones in to our blood, in its most critical moments.
The nature of the GI microbe and endocrine connection was revealed as a
result of an unusual side-effect in those that suffer irritable bowel
syndrome (IBS). This common condition can cause those that suffer from
it to experience feelings of anxiety and depression, which in turn
further exacerbate the IBS symptoms. Yet when many of those that suffer
from IBS began to consume more probiotics, they saw an encouraging
change in their digestive symptoms and their mood.
According to Audrey Anne Sukacz of Baltimore, Maryland, "I noticed an
elevated mood...a general lift," after she began to consume more
probiotics. Indeed the probiotics seem to promote the production of
positive brain chemical like GABA that ease the feelings of depression
and anxiety. It is believed that this occurs when the bacteria send
messages to the brain through the vagus nerve, the nerve that links the
gut to the brain, to release the GABA chemical.
In one of the studies on the topic
conducted by Dr. Kirsten Tillisch of the University of California showed
that those who had consumed probiotic yogurt twice a day for a month
showed a much milder response to images of angry faces than those who
hadn't eaten the yogurt. These findings concur with another study on
mice that found that mice became bolder or more fearful depending on the
balance of good or bad bacteria in their guts.
However, before you go out and buy yogurt instead of purchasing
anti-depressants, it is important to know that probiotics can have
different effects on each person. Also, just as anti-depressants won't
magically begin to work, it often takes time to see the effects of
probiotics in our lives, if there are at all. What is certain is that if
you suffer from IBS or know someone who does, you should look into the
benefits of probiotic yogurt for treating uncomfortable symptoms of the
condition.
So on top of yogurt, where can you get probiotics? Foods like miso and
tempeh are rich in probiotics, but if you aren't a fan, there is another
bacteria that is worth giving a try called 'prebiotics'. Some of the
foods that have this vital bacteria are:
-Slightly green bananas
-Durum pasta or egg noodles
-Sourdough bread
Boiled rice
-Onions, leeks and garlic (raw or cooked)
-Jerusalem artichokes
-Raw chicory root
-Cooked oats
-Blueberries
-Cooked dried beans (pinto and black)
If you are feeling down in the dumps, or experience signs of IBS, try
consuming probiotic and prebiotic foods that will improve your mood and
your IBS symptoms. Maybe happiness does lie in a cup of yogurt...