Probiotics are one of the most popular supplements on sale today. But what are the best probiotics, do probiotics work, and are they safe for kids?
When taken correctly, probiotics are a fantastic way to improve your child’s diet and protect against health concerns. Check out Kiwigarden’s guide to the benefits of probiotics for children!
What are probiotics?
Billions of organisms call your body their home, most of which are harmless and even help you function. These organisms, including many different types of good and bad bacteria, form the human microbiome.
Healthy bacteria
To stay healthy, your body requires the right amount of good bacteria. Probiotics are one kind of helpful bacteria naturally found in your body, essential for things like digestion and strong immune health.
There are numerous different probiotic strains. Lactobacillus acidophilus, for example, is a bacterium found naturally in your intestines, and saccharomyces boulardii is a type of probiotic yeast found in several dairy and fruit products. Both play a vital role in balancing out potentially harmful bacteria in your gut.
Why are probiotics important?
Probiotics have important health benefits, particularly when the balance of helpful to harmful bacteria in your body gets tipped the wrong way. Probiotics act to restore your supply of good bacteria, aiding healthy digestion and immunity. They also fight infection and may help to treat or prevent various diseases.
The most common foods that contain natural probiotics, or have probiotics added, include:
- Yoghurt
- Some cheeses
- Fresh fruits
- Kimchi
- Pickles
- Sourdough bread
- Tempeh
- Sauerkraut
- Kefir
- Kombucha
- Miso
Are probiotics safe for kids?
Yes! For the most part, giving probiotics to your children is considered safe and beneficial. However, there are some exceptions, including if your child has a compromised immune system, a severe illness, or if they are a premature infant. You should avoid giving your kids probiotic supplements in these cases, as it may increase their health risk of infection.
Although kids can get probiotic nutrients naturally from certain foods, it may not always be enough. There are numerous dietary supplements containing probiotics. These come in chewable tablets, packets dissolvable into cold food or drinks, tasty gummies, and more. Speak with your doctor about giving your child probiotics.
Benefits of probiotics for kids
Probiotics are excellent at managing a range of health problems that are common for most kids. They are particularly beneficial for diarrhoea, tummy troubles, and constipation. Probiotic nutrients are also effective at supporting your child’s digestive health and immune strength. They’re great at treating yeast infections and may also assist with easing the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
Kids on antibiotics can also benefit significantly from taking probiotics simultaneously. Antibiotics can kill certain good bacteria, causing side effects like stomach aches and digestion issues. The addition of probiotics can help replenish your child’s microbiome and ease these symptoms.
The best part? Probiotics usually come in chewable tablet or gummy form, making them stress-free and even enjoyable for children to take.
Best probiotic supplements and natural sources
So what’s the best probiotic for kids? While there’s no clear-cut answer, adding natural products and probiotic foods to your children’s diet is a great way to keep them healthy. Yoghurt containing active cultures is an easily accessible and versatile choice. Try putting it in a smoothie, mixing it with your child’s favourite fruits, adding seasoned plain yoghurt to crackers, or spreading it over a baked potato.
Check out Kiwigarden’s yummy Blackcurrant Probiotic Drops - a dietary probiotic supplement with 10 billion chewable probiotics per dosage, also containing Vitamin C. Suitable for kids ages eight months and up, these supplements are an excellent way of giving your children probiotics for a strong immune system and to fight against digestive issues. Shop with us today!
