Four ways to weigh in the benefits of probiotics that can help you shed those hard-to-lose pounds

Human body is home to different microorganisms, most of these being friendly bacteria. It is believed that change in weight is linked to change in gut flora. Lower the number of gut microbes, higher are the chances of weight gain. If that is true, then can these bacteria play a role in weight loss too?

How could probiotics possibly help you lose that flab?

Probiotics or ‘good gut bacteria’ can help you lose weight by myriad ways:

• Probiotics may help to reduce the number of calories absorbed from the food you eat
• They influence body hormones and proteins related to appetite and fat storage
• Probiotics may prevent weight gain even when on a high calorie diet
• They help in direct weight loss and reduction of belly fat

According to a study, women taking probiotic supplement tend to lose more weight than those who do not take them. The weight loss effect of probiotics is seen even after they finished dieting. Strains of Lactobacillus have also shown to reduce about 3–4% body fat in overweight individuals within 6 weeks of consumption. Drinking fermented milk products containing these helpful bacteria has shown to reduce 8.2– 8.5% of the belly fat. All these studies support the fact that regular intake of probiotics can help in overall weight loss.

Bottom line

If you are planning on losing weight, it is important to keep these facts in mind. During weight loss, probiotics are not just your partners in achieving the goal but also your health managers.