Ask the doctors
Q. I'm trying to add more probiotics into my diet. Is cheese a good source?
A. Probiotics, good bacteria that can contribute to gut and overall health, can be found in some types of cheese as well as in dietary supplements, fermented foods, and yogurt. Typically, probiotics are in cheeses that have been aged but not heated afterward. This includes both soft and hard cheeses, including Swiss, provolone, Gouda, cheddar, Edam, Gruyère, and cottage cheese.
Adding probiotics to your diet can potentially improve your health by helping to foster the growth of good bacteria inside your gut. Your gut contains some 100 trillion bacteria, but in some cases, the balance between the helpful and harmful bacteria falls out of balance. When this occurs, experts believe it may be linked to a host of conditions, such as allergies, mood disorders, and arthritis. Eating foods that contain probiotics, such as cheese, can help restore this natural balance. The only caution when it comes to cheese is to not overdo it. Cheese tends to be high in calories, saturated fat, and sodium.
To read more about probiotics, see the Harvard Medical School Guide The Benefits of Probiotics: Using good bacteria for better health.
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FAQs
The most common fermented foods that naturally contain probiotics, or have probiotics added to them, include yogurt, kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut, pickles, miso, tempeh, kimchi, sourdough bread and some cheeses.
Is cheese a healthy source of probiotics? ›
Many soft and hard cheeses, including Swiss, Provolone, Gouda, cheddar, Edam, Gruyère, feta, caciocavallo, Emmental, and Parmesan are likely to provide at least some probiotics, but note that statements about “live and active cultures” are unlikely to be found on aged cheeses.
What are the best foods for gut health Harvard? ›
Research suggests that foods that are high in fiber, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and rich in probiotics, such as sauerkraut, kimchi and yogurt, have gut-boosting properties.
Can cheese be good for your gut? ›
Luckily, the aging process that kills off the potentially dangerous pathogens from raw milk and makes cheese safe to eat also allows the development of beneficial bacteria! Gorgonzola, parmesan, cheddar, and gouda are just some of the aged cheeses that can be beneficial to your gut health.
Which cheese is the best probiotic? ›
Typically, probiotics are in cheeses that have been aged but not heated afterward. This includes both soft and hard cheeses, including Swiss, provolone, Gouda, cheddar, Edam, Gruyère, and cottage cheese.
What naturally kills bad bacteria in the gut? ›
Oregano. Oregano oil is one of the most common substances used to treat SIBO. One study found it to be even more effective than pharmaceutical antibiotics for killing off wayward microbes in the small intestine (Source: NCBI).
What is the number one food for gut health? ›
1. Yoghurt. Live yoghurt is an excellent source of so-called friendly bacteria, also known as probiotics. Look out for sugar-free, full-fat versions and add your own fruit for a tasty breakfast.
What are the three super foods for your gut? ›
Three superfoods for the gut are fermented foods like kimchi and sauerkraut, prebiotic-rich foods like garlic and onions, and probiotic-rich foods like yogurt and kefir. These foods contain beneficial bacteria that support the growth of healthy gut flora and promote digestion and nutrient absorption.
What are the three foods the gut doctor says not to eat? ›
The Top 10 Foods To Avoid for a Healthy Gut
- Processed foods. Processed foods are high in additives, preservatives, and unhealthy fats, which can harm your gut microbiome.
- Refined sugar. ...
- Gluten. ...
- Dairy products. ...
- Fried foods. ...
- Red meat. ...
- Artificial sweeteners. ...
- Alcohol.
Is it okay to eat cheese every day? ›
You don't have to cut cheese out of your diet, but if you have high cholesterol or blood pressure, use high-fat cheeses sparingly. A 30g portion of cheese provides seven per cent of your daily calories and there can be more salt in a portion of cheddar than in a packet of crisps.
As part of healthy eating, it's a good idea to avoid or limit foods packed with added sugar, which feeds bad bacteria, Blatner says, as well as highly processed foods, artificial sweeteners, red meat, and alcohol, which can have a negative effect on gut bacteria, and lead to inflammation.
What is the #1 probiotic? ›
Summary: Compare the Best Probiotic Supplements of 2024
Product | Forbes Health Ratings | View More |
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Culturelle Pro Strength Daily Probiotics | 4.6 | Shop Now |
Jarrow Formulas Jarro-Dophilus EPS | 4.5 | Shop Now |
Jarrow Formulas Fem-Dophilus | 4.4 | Shop Now |
BetterLife PrePro+ | 3.6 | View More |
3 more rows
Are bananas full of probiotics? ›
Bananas contain a type of fiber called pectin, which can play a part in controlling how quickly you digest carbohydrates. Bananas may be good for your tummy, too. They have probiotics, which are the good bacteria found in your gut, and prebiotics, carbs that feed these good bacteria.
Are there live cultures in cheese? ›
Cheese is one of the few foods we eat that contains extraordinarily high numbers of living, metabolizing microbes, leading some participants to say, “Cheese is alive!” The broad groups of cheese-making microbes include many varieties of bacteria, yeast, and filamentous fungi (molds).
What probiotic is best for gut health? ›
Some of the best probiotic strains for health include: Lactobacillus acidophilus. Lactobacillus acidophilus balances potentially harmful bacteria that can otherwise grow in your gut due to illness or antibiotics. Lactobacillus fermentum.
Which cheeses are not fermented? ›
Fresh cheeses
While they are drained after formation of the curd, they are neither ripened nor fermented. This category includes cottage cheese, ricotta, mascarpone, cream cheese and quark. Fresh cheeses are mainly used in baking and desserts, plain or flavored with vegetables, fruits, herbs or spices.