Many people now know probiotics are good for their health, but the benefits are far beyond gut health and immunity. Here I want to share the top 10 benefits of probiotics. 

1. GUT HEALTH - This one is the most obvious one, most people now know probiotics are essential for a healthy gut. Anyone suffering with IBS, reflux, IBD, colitis and gastritis, may benefit from consuming probiotic rich foods or supplements.
2. IMPROVE MOOD – The gut and brain are literally connected buy something called the vagus nerve. This is way people with poor gut health are more likely to struggle with mental health disorders, and people with mental health disorders are likely to experience digestive issues. By looking after your gut health your also looking after your mental health.
3. IMMUNITY – The beneficial bacteria in the gut act as little soldiers for our immune system, without these little guys we are more susceptible to things like hay fever, cold/flu,  . 
4. SKIN - If you have ever spoken to a Naturopath, we would say the skin in a reflection of your gut health. If you have acne, eczema, rashes etc, it is a good sign that your gut is unhappy, and your beneficial bacteria aren't thriving in there. 
5. RELIEVE CONSTIPATION– Struggling to poop daily? 90% of constipation cases can be related to not having enough healthy gut bacteria. 
6. PROTECTIONS FROM HEAVY METALS – Consuming probiotic-rich foods has been shown to prevent/block the absorption of heavy metals through the gut wall.
7. REDUCE CHEMICAL/TOXIN EXPOSURE - Fermenting foods also helps neutralise certain chemicals and toxins.
8. NUTRIENT ABSORPTION – Probiotics play an important role in the absorption of nutrients from food. So, in order to get the most out of your healthy diet, you need a team of healthy gut bacteria to help absorb the nutrients. 
9. VITAMIN CREATION -Your body is actually able to produce some of it's own vitamins, but not without the presence of healthy microbes and probiotics. 
10. STOMACH pH – Having thriving community of beneficial microbes within the gut, encourage our acid-producing cells to work normally, protecting us from pathogens such as parasites or overgrowth's of fungi and bacteria. The aim is to maintain a low acidic pH within the stomach, which acts as a major protective factor of our gut health and entire system. Think of it this way, you want your stomach acid to burn and kill any pathogens that may enter your system through the digestive tract while eating or drinking. A high pH (alkaline) stomach, gives pathogens a comfortable place to thrive and take over.