What is sour, tangy, and almost tingly on the tongue? You’re half right if you guessed yogurt, and 100% awesome if you guessed yogurt made from vaginal bacteria. Yes, vaginal bacteria. Vaginal flora. Vaginal Lactobacilli.
Cecelia Westbrook, scientist from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, noted that the most common bacteria found in the flora of a healthy vagina is Lactobacillus, which is the same type of bacteria found in our intestines and also in yogurt. So, naturally, why not feed our bodies with yogurt made from already healthy bacteria found inside your very own body?
It’s locally sourced and most certainly environmentally friendly! (Haha… No, but really. For science, anyone?)
My gut feeling is that most of us are not quite thirsty for the same kind of adventure to start feeding our bodily flora with our bodily fluids. Or… if I am wrong, you have all my respect and blessing from everyone here at Kuli Kuli to begin making your own yogurt here.
Follow the below five to Feed Your Flora:
1) Eat probiotic foods.
Yogurt is probably the first item that comes to mind when thinking probiotics. But other probiotic foods include fermented foods like kefir, kimchi, kombucha, and sauerkraut. Some cheeses like Swiss, Gouda, and cheddar also contain varying levels of probiotic content. Active and live cultures are usually good indicators of beneficial probiotic content.
2) More fiber, less sugar.
Fiber promotes the diversity of your gut microbiota. It also helps move the food through your system faster, indicating good digestive health and preventing possible health concerns like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or ulcers.
High sugar intake (for which the American diet is guilty) promotes the growth of sugar-loving bacteria in your gut. As the sugar-loving bacteria colony in your gut thrives, your fiber-loving bacteria starts dying off, creating an imbalance to your digestive track allowing your body to be more susceptible to obesity and other health diseases.
3) Less processed foods.
Processed foods tend to contain high sugar content and additives. A new study published earlier this year by researchers Andrew Gewirtz and Benoit Chasing from Georgia State University’s Institution for Biomedical Sciences observed that mice ingesting emulsifiers, an additive found in countless numbers of processed foods to add texture and extend shelf life, developed intestinal inflammation and imbalanced blood-glucose levels. Later observations found that the gut bacterial change triggered multiple metabolic symptoms including obesity, insulin resistance, and hyperglycemia. Eating processed foods won’t make you fat, but for better or for worse, it certainly will alter your microbiota permanently.
4) Take it easy with the antibiotics.
Studies have shown that the consumption of antibiotics can throw off your internal gut microbiota. We take antibiotics with all the best intentions- to kill off the bad bacteria in our body! But, alas! antibiotics do not discriminate between the good or the bad bacteria, wiping out all the fantastic bacteria friends living in our gut. Take care of your gut bacteria after taking antibiotics by eating plenty of probiotic foods, fruits, and vegetables. Chances are, your body will need all the vitamins and minerals to recuperate from fighting off all the bad guys!
5) Sleep is not for the weak.
We all know the benefits of sleep soar beyond just feeling well rested in the morning. A body deprived of sleep will suffer from stress, hunger cravings, and a weakened immune system. And your gut is definitely not spared. So, put down your phone- your body needs its rest more than your friend will need that “like” on Facebook.
About the Author:
Ada Yim is a Californian self-proclaimed foodie, a gastronaut, and a food scientist. She graduated from the University of California, Davis with a B.S. in Food Science, the Gemological Institute of America Graduate Diamonds Program, and Mel’s Tea Academy as a Tea Taster and Tea Grader. She understands health and nutrition and believes the fine balance is everything in moderation. She enjoys a good food pun and is super excited to be writing for Kuli Kuli! So, lettuce turnip the beet and get this party started! For more articles by Ada, click here!
