Probiotics

A recent small study found that women who regularly ate beneficial bacteria known as probiotics showed reduced activity in areas of the brain associated with emotion and pain. It’s long been known that gut bacteria, the ecosystem of microorganisms living in our digestive tract, help support a healthy immune system and digestion. It has also been established that the brain sends signals to the gut, which is why stress can trigger a mad dash to the bathroom.
 This study suggests that those signals travel the opposite way as well, and that the probiotics you consume may alter how your brain reacts to your environment. While it’s too soon to say that yogurt and other sources of probiotics will help settle a bad mood, research does point in that direction. In addition to consuming yogurt, kefir, kombucha and other fermented foods, following a diet that’s high in fiber from vegetables, whole grains, fruits and legumes can help improve your gut flora.