DIY Chocolate Covered Strawberry Sugar Scrub

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Homemade sugar scrubs are not only a great way to soften and nourish your skin, but they make great gifts too. Inspired by the classic treat, this DIY Chocolate Covered Strawberry Sugar Scrub will make your Valentine’s Day a little sweeter—whether you’re sharing with a friend or keeping some for yourself!

Video Description: Simple Shortcuts–DIY Chocolate Covered Strawberry Sugar Scrub

 

DIY Chocolate Covered Strawberry Sugar ScrubChocolate Covered Strawberry Sugar Scrub:

Ingredients:

  • For the Strawberry Layer:
    • 1 cup Turbinado sugar
    • 1 bag Sprouts Freeze Dried Strawberries
    • 1/2 cup Coconut oil, slightly melted
    • 1 Tbsp. Vanilla extract
  • For the Chocolate Layer:
    • 1 cup Turbinado sugar
    • 1/4 cup Cocoa powder
    • 1/4 cup Coconut oil, slightly melted
    • 1 Tbsp. Vanilla extract

Instructions:

  1. For the strawberry layer, pour freeze dried strawberries into a food processor and mix until a powder has formed.
  2. Add the strawberry powder, sugar, coconut oil and vanilla extract into a medium bowl and mix until well combined. Set aside.
  3. For the chocolate later, add ingredients into a medium bowl and stir until well combined.
  4. In a glass jar, layer the strawberry mixture and chocolate mixture and seal with a lid.

Valentine’s Day Crafts for the Kiddos

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Spoons covered in chocolate

Chocolate Dipped Spoons

Ingredients:

3 Tbsp. coconut oil, 1 1/4 cups chocolate chips, Sprouts’ Eco-Friendly Plastic Spoons and treats from the Sprouts Bulk Department (peanuts, slivered almonds, dried cranberries, gummy bears).

Directions:

Melt chocolate chips and coconut oil together over low heat. Once chips have melted, remove chocolate from heat. Dip spoons into warm chocolate, place on a serving platter and sprinkle with treats from Sprouts’ Bulk Department.

Naturally Scented Play Dough

Ingredients:

1 cup flour, 1 cup water, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 Tbsp. cooking oil, 3 tsp. cream of tartar, red food coloring and essential oils of choice.

Directions:

Mix dry ingredients in a large pot. Add water, oil and food coloring and stir over medium heat until mixture has a play-dough consistency. Remove dough from pot and place on wax paper to cool. Once cooled add desired essential oil scent and knead until incorporated. Divide play dough into even portions and seal in 4 ounce Mason jars.

Valentine’s Produce Stamps

Supplies:

Celery, potato, small heart cookie cutter, knife, cardstock and red paint.

Directions for Rose Stamp:

To begin, simply cut celery close to the bottom of the stock. Save end of celery stock and put aside remaining celery for snacking. Coat end of celery with red paint and press firmly onto cardstock for a natural, rose-shaped stamp.

Directions for Heart Stamp:

Begin by cutting potato in half. Insert a heart-shaped cookie cutter into the cut/flat end of the potato. With a knife cut into and around potato using the cookie cutter as your guide. Coat stamp with red paint and press firmly onto cardstock.  

C2O, Pure 100% Organic Coconut Water Recipes

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Not all coconut waters are created equal. C2O’s pure coconut water is fresh from the inland groves of Thailand, and they pride themselves in providing a rejuvenating beverage that is fresh, fragrant and full of naturally occurring electrolytes. The young green coconuts used in C2O’s Pure 100% Organic Coconut Water are hand-picked by co-op farmers. Each coconut is picked between six and seven months to ensure C2O’s coconut water is naturally sweet and delicious. Best of all, the farms C2O partners with are 100% organic! What are you waiting for? Snag a bottle of C2O Pure 100% Organic Coconut Water today, and while you’re at it check out these refreshing coconut water recipes. Nom!

Video Description: Facebook live with C2O Coconut Water and @Cori_Fit.

 

Peanut Ginger Lime Lettuce WrapsPeanut Ginger Lime Lettuce Wraps:

Ingredients:

  • 1 head of Iceberg lettuce
  • Grilled chicken, chopped
  • Hot House or English Cucumber, finely chopped
  • Chopped peanuts, for garnish
  • Cilantro, for garnish
  • 1/4 cup Chunky peanut butter
  • 2 Tbsp. C2O Turmeric Ginger Lime coconut water
  • 1 Tbsp. soy sauce
  • 1/2 Tbsp. Rice wine vinegar
  • 1/2 Tbsp. Honey
  • 1 Tbsp. Fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions:

  1. In a sauce pan or a microwaveable bowl heat the coconut water, Tamari, Vinegar, and the honey until warm. Add the peanut butter and whisk until smooth. Add cilantro.
  2. Chop the desired amount of chicken and cucumber for your lettuce wrap. Peel a leaf from the head of lettuce to create a “wrap.” Add in the chicken, cucumber, and drizzle with desired amount of peanut sauce. Top with chopped peanuts and more cilantro. Enjoy! Recipe by Cori from corifit.com
C2O Acai Smoothie Bowl Tropical C2O Acai Bowl:

Ingredients:

  • 1 Frozen Pure Acai Packet
  • 1/2 large banana, frozen
  • 1/4 cup frozen blueberries
  • 1/4 cup frozen pineapple
  • 1/3-1/2 cup C2O Pineapple coconut water
  • Desired toppings such as granola, fresh bananas or coconut shreds

Instructions:

  1. In a high powered blender add the Pineapple C20 (start with 1/3 cup), acai packet, frozen banana, frozen berries, and frozen pineapple. Blend on high until you reach a smooth consistency throughout. If the mixture is too thick, add the rest of the coconut water. Pour into a bowl and top with desired toppings. Recipe by Cori from corifit.com

Coconut Water & Kiwi Popsicle:Coconut Water & Kiwi Popsicle:

Ingredients:

  • 1 bottle C2O Pure 100% Organic Coconut Water
  • 3 Kiwis, peeled and sliced
  • Popsicle mold and popsicle sticks

Instructions:

  1. Place sliced kiwis into popsicle mold and pour C2O Pure 100% Organic Coconut Water over kiwis.
  2. Insert popsicle sticks and let freeze for 4–5 hours. Quick tip, use the kiwi slices to help keep the popsicle sticks upright!
Sparkling Citrus Coconut Water: Sparkling Citrus Coconut Water:

Ingredients:

  • 1 bottle C2O Pure 100% Organic Coconut Water
  • 2 cups Sparkling soda, flavored if desired
  • 1 Fresh orange, sliced
  • 1 Fresh grapefruit, sliced
  • 2 Fresh limes, sliced
  • 2 Fresh lemons, sliced

Instructions:

  1. Add fresh, sliced citrus to a large pitcher. Quick tip, squeeze some of the citrus juice into the pitcher to speed up the infusion!
  2. Pour C2O Pure 100% Organic Coconut Water over fresh citrus slices and top off with sparkling soda. Serve immediately.
 

Quick Vegan Breakfast Ideas

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oatmeal with berriesVegan doesn’t have to be complicated!  There are tons of super simple, healthy and delicious meals that come together in a snap and require little to no prep. Here are some easy and tasty breakfast ideas that will fill you up and satisfy you until lunchtime. Whole-grain cereal – many cereals are vegan and a perfect, nutritious breakfast for a busy morning when paired with non-dairy milk. Look for one that has fiber and protein for a fullness that lasts. Overnight oats or oatmeal – the possibilities really are endless! Walnuts, pecans, peanut butter, chia seeds, and shredded coconut are some of my favorite toppings. To prepare overnight oats, just combine oats and water or milk in a 1:1 ratio in a jar the night before you want to enjoy it. Place it in the fridge, and your oats will be softened and ready for you in the morning. Toast topped with avocado or nut butter – with the nut butters, try adding fresh fruit, dried fruit, nuts, or shredded coconut on top! Smoothies – smoothies are a great way to load up on tons of fiber, protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals, all at once! They are also easily customizable. Combine any fruits and veggies of your choice (my favorite simple combination is banana and a handful of leafy greens) with chia seeds, and your favorite nut butter for a nutritious boost.

Tofu Scramble

Tofu scrambles come together quickly and taste remarkably like scrambled eggs! Here is an easy, delicious recipe that is loaded with protein.

Ingredients

  • 1 block extra firm tofu
  • 1 cup kale, chopped
  • 6 grape tomatoes, halved
  • 3 Tbsp. nutritional yeast
  • 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp. Garlic powder
  • 1 tsp. Onion powder
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Drain the tofu by wrapping the block in paper towel. Place cutting board on top of the block of tofu. Apply even pressure to the top of the block by placing a cookbook (or something of equal weight) on top of the cutting board. Let tofu drain for about 10–15 minutes.
  2. Crumble tofu with your hands until it resembles scrambled eggs and place in large skillet. Cook over medium-high heat for 2 minutes (to get rid of any extra water).
  3. Add in kale and cook for 1 more minute.
  4. Add in the rest of the ingredients, and stir to combine thoroughly.
  5. Cook for 5–10 minutes. If the tofu sticks to the pan, add a splash of almond milk.

Annie Markowitz is the blogger behind VegAnnie.com

How to Stock Your Vegan Pantry

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wooden spoon with vegan grainsIf you are a new vegan, it may seem overwhelming when surfing the web or browsing through cookbooks to find vegan-friendly recipes. Having these pantry staples on hand will help you breeze through new recipes and make sure you always have something easy and tasty to whip up.

Oats – I love oats because they are so versatile! They work wonderfully as a binder in veggie burgers and are also perfect on their own to make oatmeal, overnight oats and baked goods. You can also blend them up into a fine powder to create your own oat flour, which is a wonderful gluten-free flour substitute for baking.

Beans – Having cans of beans on hand can be a lifesaver when you want to throw a quick meal together. From creating a delicious bean burger, to enjoying a bean chili, beans are an essential to any vegan pantry. You can even make healthy baked treats using beans, like these Healthy Fudgy Brownies!

Spices – Spices are amazing to add flavor to any dish. Some of my favorites are garlic powder, onion powder and smoked paprika, which can instantly take a dish from good to gourmet with a few dashes of each. I like to sprinkle them on top of French fries, roasted vegetables and plain raw veggies for snacking. Salt and pepper, too, of course!

Nutritional yeast – This ingredient is used very often in vegan cooking. It is deactivated yeast that adds a delightful, cheesy flavor to any dish. You may also see it referred to as “nooch” on the internet.

Cereal & granola – Don’t forget that vegans can also eat many cereals and granolas (with non-dairy milk!). I always have cereal and granola on hand for lazy or busy mornings.

Nuts – Nuts are a great go-to because they are packed with fiber, healthy fats and protein. No prep necessary, just grab a handful and you’re good-to-go!

Non-dairy milk – It’s always helpful to have a shelf-stable, non-dairy milk on hand when you’re in a pinch but want to make a smoothie or enjoy a bowl of oatmeal.

Nut butters – Peanut butter and almond butter are two essentials in my pantry. I love adding them to smoothies for a boost of protein and healthy fat or spreading them on toast for a delicious, nutritious breakfast or snack

Pasta and marinara – Spaghetti is one of the simplest meals to whip up, and is always a crowd pleaser. Having these ingredients around makes creating a quick weeknight dinner easy as pie! Add in some of your favorite spices to take it up a notch.

Grains – Having grains around is a must. I like to keep it simple with brown rice and quinoa. You can make a big batch and use them in different recipes all week long, like stir fries and chili. They also make a great side dish on their own.

Condiments – Having things like red wine vinegar and olive oil on hand makes it super simple to whip up a delicious salad dressing. Soy sauce drizzled over veggies and rice can turn your boring ol’ veggies into a lovely Asian meal. Ketchup and mustard are an essential, too, for your veggie burgers and French fries!

Annie Markowitz is the blogger behind VegAnnie.com

Top Paleo Products at Sprouts

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fresh meats, cheese and paleo productsWhen it comes down to it, eating a paleo diet is simple—embrace your inner cave-dweller self! Seriously though, paleo is about eating real, nutrient-dense foods that would have been hunted or gathered before the agricultural revolution. That means veggies, fruits, meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, nuts, seeds, and healthy fats like olive oil, coconut oil, and ghee. You don’t need any exciting products to eat this way, just a great produce section and a quality meat department. But these paleo products make eating primally way more fun and easy. From Sunday morning pancakes to bacon on all things, take this list of the top paleo products at Sprouts next time you head to the store and stock up!

Vital Proteins® Collagen Peptides

A favorite supplement in the paleo world, collagen peptides are high-quality, high-protein amino acids derived from grass-fed gelatin. Loved as a protein supplement, collagen peptides are amazing for your hair, skin, nails, as well as muscle support when exercising. They’re tasteless, too, and won’t affect texture in most recipes, so load up!

Sprouts Coconut Date Rolls

Two ingredients, one big impact! These coconut date rolls are naturally sweet and so dangerous. After a couple bites, you’ll abandon all thoughts of conventional candy bars.

Rxbars®

So perfect for keeping in your purse, desk or gym bag, Rxbars® are high in protein without any undesirable fillers or weird ingredients.

SO Delicious Dairy Free Coconut Milk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert

For that occasional sweet indulgence, this coconut milk “ice cream” is sweetened with monk fruit extract and is totally dairy-free. It has more additives than you’ll want to include in your diet on a regular basis, but it’s great for an occasional dairy-free, sugar-free treat.

Sprouts Organic Bone Broth

Loaded with protein, collagen and other nourishing amino acids, bone broth is a staple in paleo diets for its nutrient-rich properties. Another plus? Bone broth helps to maintain a healthy gut and is great sipped like tea or used in place of chicken stock or broth in recipes.

Sprouts Coconut Cream

A staple in probably every paleo diet, coconut cream—the solid white part in a can of coconut milk—gives recipes a dairy-free richness and creaminess. Sprouts Coconut Cream is affordable and loaded with the solid cream, making it a must for any primal pantry.

4th & Heart Ghee Butter

The richness of butter without the lactose? Yes, please! Bonus points: this ghee is grass-fed and seasoned with mineral-rich Himalayan pink salt.

Farmhouse Culture Gut Health Products

Hippocrates said, “All disease begins in the gut,” and this guy would be a big fan of Farmhouse Culture gut health products. From Garlic Dill Pickle Gut Shots (that you drink like a shooter) to Smoked Jalapeño Kraut and Taqueria Mix Fermented Vegetables, support your gut with these delicious fermented products, loaded with healthy bacteria.

Hail Merry Products

You’ll be shocked at how seriously indulgent these paleo treats taste. From Caramel Sea Salt Bites to Dark Chocolate Tarts, Meyer Lemon Cups and Chocolate Almond Butter Cups—luckily, there’s no guilt to these paleo desserts.

Sprouts Frozen Organic Riced Cauliflower

Cauliflower rice at your fingertips. Sprouts Frozen Organic Riced Cauliflower makes paleo “rice” beyond quick and easy.

Birch Benders Paleo Pancake & Waffle Mix

Pancakes can still be part of your paleo menu! Having a bag of this paleo pancake mix in the pantry is great when you want to make pancakes in a pinch. They’re light, fluffy and totally paleo.

Pederson’s Natural Farms Bacon and Sausage

Destined to go down in history—bacon and the paleo diet are a classic couple! Pederson’s Natural Farms makes a sugar-free paleo version you’ll want need in your fridge at all times. Check out their smoked sausages, breakfast sausages and chorizo too.

Sprouts Grass-Fed Beef

Leaner, more nutrient-rich, and more ethically-minded, Sprouts Grass-Fed Ground Beef is fresh, never frozen, hormone-free, raised in open pastures, and never administered antibiotics. Richer in omega-3s than grain-fed, Sprouts grass-fed beef is a must for any paleo diet.

Sprouts Market Corner Deli Carnitas

Dinner is served … in about a minute or two! Fully cooked and totally paleo, simply reheat these carnitas and serve over cauliflower rice and a quick guacamole. Or try these carnitas in lettuce tacos or over a bed of romaine topped with salsa! However you like it, this dish is great to keep on hand for super-quick, flavor-packed weeknight dinners.

Cheryl Malik is the blogger behind 40aprons.com

Vegan Substitutes

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Alternative Milk and Vegan SubstitutesThere are tons of vegan substitutes for common non-vegan baking and cooking products. Here is how to substitute some of the most popular ingredients used in baking and cooking, so that you don’t have to miss out on the foods you love!

Eggs

Any of these can be used to substitute one egg in a recipe.
  • 1 tablespoon ground flax seeds or ground chia seeds mixed with 3 tablespoons of water
  • ¼ cup blended tofu
  • ¼ cup applesauce
  • Ener-G egg replacer

Butter

Any of these can be substituted in a 1:1 ratio for butter in baking and cooking.
  • Coconut oil
  • Margarine
  • Vegetable shortening

Milk

There are many vegan milk alternatives available that can be substituted in any recipe that calls for milk. These are some of my favorites:
  • Almond milk
  • Cashew milk
  • Oat milk
  • Rice milk
  • Coconut milk
  • Hemp milk
  • Soy milk

Chocolate

You can find chocolate for baking, chocolate bars, and chocolate chips that are all vegan and taste just like their non-vegan counterparts. Here are some of my favorites for baking (and eating when I need a chocolate fix!):
  • Lily’s chocolate baking bars
  • Lily’s chocolate chips
Enjoy life vegan chocolate chips

Cheese

Many vegan cheeses exist that are sliceable and can be melted perfectly on a pizza or sprinkled over vegan tacos. You can find vegan cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, and even ricotta! Some common brands are:
  • Daiya
  • Tofutti
  • Follow Your Heart
 

Annie Markowitz is the blogger behind VegAnnie.com

Stocking a Paleo Pantry

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paleo foods on various bowls and platesHaving a stocked Paleo pantry is critical when taking on a primal diet. Being prepared with Paleo ingredients means you’re more likely to stay on track with a commitment to your new diet and you’ll be ready to whip up a batch of homemade coconut-date bars or Paleo chocolate chip cookies at any moment! And really, the Paleo pantry looks an awful lot like the pantry you grew up with: flours, sugars, nuts, oils, and other dry goods like unsweetened, shredded coconut or cocoa powder. The only difference is that a paleo pantry avoids refined sugars and flours, legumes, dairy and vegetable oils. It may seem a bit overwhelming if you’re new to the diet, but we’re here to help with our guide to stocking a Paleo pantry at Sprouts Farmers Market.

Fats

One of the biggest benefits of a Paleo diet is the focus on healthy fats, so making sure you’re loaded with plenty of great options is key in stocking a Paleo pantry.
  • Coconut oil. Unrefined coconut oil will have a light coconutty taste; refined coconut oil is tasteless. Both are solid at room temperature and are fantastic for cooking and baking.
  • Liquid coconut oil. This tasteless oil is fantastic for salad dressings and homemade mayonnaise.
  • Avocado oil. With a smoke point of 520ºF, avocado oil is another mild oil great for salad dressings, homemade mayo and high-temperature cooking.
  • Ghee. Ghee is essentially clarified butter, free of lactose and fantastic for adding a bit of a buttery taste to paleo dishes. It’s especially wonderful in Indian cooking and in traditional butter-based sauces like hollandaise.
  • Olive oil. A pantry staple, olive oil is totally Paleo and so versatile. Best for no-cook dishes or low-temperature cooking.
  • Palm shortening. Best in moderation, palm shortening can be a great replacement for butter in Paleo baked goods.

Sweeteners

Although refined sugars, even brown sugar and brown rice syrup, are out, there’s a delicious variety of Paleo sweeteners you’ll want to keep on hand.
  • Coconut sugar. Best for replacing white or brown sugar, coconut sugar is very versatile, has a rich taste, and comes powdered.
  • Maple syrup. Not just for drizzling on Paleo pancakes, maple syrup is a fantastic sweetener and popular in many Paleo recipes.
  • Raw honey. One of the favorite paleo sweeteners, raw honey has a relatively low glycemic load and is loved for its medicinal properties. It comes in liquid and solid form, making it great for baking and other treats.
  • Dates. Popular in no-bake recipes and crusts, dates are great to keep on hand for Paleo sweets and baking, as well as homemade snack bars.

Flours

Intimidated by removing white flour from your staples? No need to be! Thanks to the variety of Paleo flours at Sprouts Farmers Markets and the wealth of recipes available at Sprouts.com, you’ll be a Paleo baking pro in a snap. In almost every recipe, you’ll want to blend multiple Paleo flours to best mimic white flour, so make sure you stock up on a few products.
  • Almond flour. Very often the bulk of Paleo baking recipes, you’ll want to keep plenty of almond flour on hand at all times.
  • Arrowroot. The most popular Paleo thickener, you can liken arrowroot to cornstarch. It’s used frequently in recipes to add a softness to an almond flour blend.
  • Tapioca starch. Another thickener, tapioca starch often becomes gummy when heated with liquid, making it helpful in savory cheese-like recipes and other baking recipes. Tapioca starch also adds a softness to almond flour recipes.
  • Bob’s Red Mill Paleo Baking Flour. Bob’s Red Mill makes it easy as pie to make, well, Paleo pie! Their Paleo baking flour is a 1:1 flour replacement and is totally Paleo.

Condiments

Having a tasty variety of Paleo condiments on hand can make dinner a breeze: keep the main course simple and let the condiments pique your taste buds! These condiments also serve as a versatile base for other sauces and dips.
  • Coconut oil or avocado oil mayonnaise. While making your own mayo is easy, having a jar of coconut oil or avocado oil mayonnaise on hand can be a lifesaver. You can make Caesar dressing, chipotle aioli, ranch dressing, and so many more with this mayo.
  • Dijon mustard. Perfect for adding a bit of kick, brightness, and richness to recipes, Annie’s Dijon Mustard is alcohol—and sugar-free, making it a great Paleo pantry addition.
  • Coconut aminos. Naturally sweet and salty, coconut aminos are a must for adding a healthy sweetness to savory recipes, like Asian lettuce wraps, BBQ sauce, and sesame chicken.
  • Hot sauce. Who doesn’t love a spicy kick? Sprouts Farmers Market has a variety of sugar-free Paleo hot sauces—you’ll definitely want to keep a bottle in the pantry!
  • Salsa. A quick way to add flavor and veggies to any meal, a jar of sugar-free salsa should always be in your pantry. Sprouts Fire Roasted Salsa is our favorite!
  • Marinara. Another easy way to get dinner on the table fast, try Sprouts Italian Herb Pasta Sauce for a sugar-free marinara that’s full of flavor.
 

Cheryl Malik is the blogger behind 40aprons.com

SHOP PALEO GROCERIES

Sprouts Essential 4 Supplements

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4 supplements

for every body
green underline

These four nourishing supplements are the building blocks of a healthy body

Some say that eating a proper diet is all you need to get the recommended vitamins, minerals and nutrients for optimal health. But despite our best efforts, we often miss our nutritional mark by eating suboptimal foods that lack many key nutrients.

The good news? A simple, daily regimen of incorporating multivitamins, omega-rich oils, probiotics and superfoods can help bridge the nutritional gaps where eating falls short.

Multivitamins with various fruits and vegetables from Sprouts Farmers Market MULTIVITAMINS

Vitamins are nutrients required by the body for growth, repair and optimal health. With today’s hectic lifestyle and diet, you might not be getting the correct amounts of these critical substances. Fortunately, you can take a daily multivitamin that combines the necessary vitamins and minerals to get the nutrition you need for overall well-being.*

Learn more about the benefits of multivitamins.

Omega-rich food and oils from Sprouts Farmers MarketOMEGA-RICH OILS

Found naturally in fish, avocados, nuts and seeds, omega-rich oils deliver some big health benefits by promoting healthy skin, brain and heart function! Some research shows that omega-3 fatty acids may even help reduce the risk of heart disease.* Be good to your heart and supplement your diet with omega-rich oils.

Learn more about the benefits of omega-rich oils.

Probiotic food and supplements from Sprouts Farmers MarketPROBIOTICS

Found abundantly in fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir and kombucha, probiotics are live microorganisms. Often called “friendly bacteria,” they support healthy digestion, immune and brain function.* Supplementing your diet regularly with probiotics in liquid, capsule or chewable form can help keep your belly healthy and immune system strong.

Learn more about the benefits of probiotics.

Superfood supplements and green juice from Sprouts Farmers MarketSUPERFOODS

Green superfoods such as spirulina, chlorella and wheatgrass are packed with energy-boosting nutrients and trace minerals that help support overall health and vitality.* Plus, you can balance alkalinity in the body by incorporating superfood supplements along with a variety of colorful, healthy foods in your daily diet.

Learn more about the benefits of superfoods.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please consult with your physician or other healthcare professionals for personalized care.

SHOP ESSENTIAL 4 SUPPLEMENTS

 

Probiotics

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group of Probiotics Probiotics are defined by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) as “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host.”1 Your body contains about 100 trillion bacteria—that’s more than 10 times the number of human cells. These microorganisms make up 1–3% of the body’s mass—that’s about two to six pounds of bacteria in your entire body. Often found in fermented dairy products, probiotics are the live active cultures that support healthy gut flora. Your gastrointestinal tract contains over 400 bacterial species. Small amounts can be found in your stomach and small intestines, but the majority is found in your large intestine. These good bacteria are essential for healthy digestion, immune function, and assist with synthesizing vitamins and nutrients, metabolizing some medications, supporting the development and functioning of the gut, and aiding in the elimination of toxins. Probiotics don’t stay in your body, like food, they pass out of your system, so you must replenish with active strains regularly. Foods that contain natural probiotics are yogurt, kefir, aged cheeses, kimchi, sauerkraut, miso, tempeh and some kombucha beverages.(Check out our great article, Top 9: Powerful Probiotic Foods, to learn more!)

Gut Health

Taking care of your digestive tract is essential for maintaining overall health and a sense of well-being. After all, it ensures that your body is able to break down food, absorb nutrients and eliminate food waste properly. There are many general types of bacteria used as probiotics. A large number of probiotics come from the Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium genera and some yeasts, such as Saccharomyces, can also act as probiotics. A growing body of scientific evidence suggests that you can treat and even prevent some illnesses with foods and supplements.2 Since they contain certain kinds of live bacteria, they help to restore the natural balance of good bacteria in the intestinal tract. Your large intestine is home to hundreds of trillions of bacteria. Luckily, most of the bacteria living inside of you and on top of your skin are neutral or even beneficial, performing many vital body functions like immune and digestive support. Probiotics can help in reducing the incidence of infectious diarrhea and antibiotic-associated diarrhea.3 They may also help people with Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome. Several small studies suggest that certain probiotics may help maintain remission of ulcerative colitis and prevent relapse of Crohn’s disease.4

Small white balls

Immune Function

There’s a close connection between the bacteria in your colon and the immune system—and probiotics have been linked to enhanced immune responses. About 80 percent of your immune system is located in the digestive system, which means a healthy gut plays an important role in protecting the body against diseases. Several studies suggest probiotics regulate the functions of mucosal immune cells and intestinal epithelial cells. These are the cells responsible for sensing and promoting a positive immune response against diseases, including several immune diseases, such as allergy, eczema and viral infection. Probiotics can help maintain the delicate balance of macrophages and T and B lymphocytes which are reasonable for recognizing and fighting foreign invaders in the body.5

Brain Health

Probiotics may be beneficial for brain function and may actually influence the way your brain responds to the environment. Changing gut bacteria through your diet can affect your brain function according to a UCLA study. In a four week study, researchers found that women who regularly consumed beneficial bacteria known as probiotics through yogurt showed robust brain function, improved cognition and increased ability in identifying emotions in facial expressions.6 Anyone, from infants to the elderly, can take probiotics and there are different delivery systems—capsule, powder, liquid—available depending on dosage and preference. Since they are live bacteria, most probiotics require refrigeration; however, some strains are formulated to be shelf-stable. They have been freeze-dried and are sealed in moisture barrier packaging to achieve sufficient survival at room temperature.

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1 Report of a Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on Evaluation of Health and Properties of Probiotics in Food Including Powder Milk with Live Lactic Acid Bacteria. Córdoba, Argentina, October 1-4, 2001. http://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/fs_management/en/probiotics.pdf Accessed July 24, 2012. 2 Khani S. Hosseini H. Taheri M. Probiotics as an Alternative Strategy for Prevention and Treatment of Human Diseases: A Review. Inflammation & Allergy-Drug Targets, 2012; 11:79-89. 3 Hickson, M.; D’Souza, A.L.; Muthu, N.; Rogers, T.R.; Want, S.; Rajkumar, C.; Bulpitt, C.J. Use of probiotic Lactobacillus preparation to prevent diarrhea associated with antibiotics: randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial. BMJ 2007, 355, 80. 4 Verna, Elizabeth C., and Susan Lucak. “Use of Probiotics in Gastrointestinal Disorders: What to Recommend?” Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology 3.5 (2010): 307–319. PMC. Web. 23 Nov. 2015. 5 Yan, Fang, and D.B. Polk. “Probiotics and Immune Health.” Current opinion in gastroenterology 27.6 (2011): 496–501. PMC. Web. 23 Nov. 2015. 6 Consumption of Fermented Milk Product with Probiotic Modulates Brain Activity Tillisch, Kirsten et al. Gastroenterology, Volume 144, Issue 7, 1394 – 1401.e4