Enrich your gut with good bacteria Probiotic food can keep diabetes at bay

 Here's another good reason why you should consume more probiotic foods. According to researchers, a greater number of friendly bacteria in our lower intestine not only ensures overall good health, but may also help ward off diabetes. Finding it tough to believe? Read on to find out more. 

They discovered this by chance, 30 years ago, before the development of genetic engineering techniques. >> They found (also by chance) that these mice have many of the same genes that make some humans susceptible to the disease. >> The research teams from Canada and Switzerland have been able to show that the intestinal bacteria, especially in male mice, can produce biochemicals and hormones that stop diabetes from developing. >> The resultant biochemical reactions that build up and maintain our bodies come from our intestinal bacteria as well as our own cells. 
FAB FIVE: SOME HEALTHY BACTERIA FOODS 
>> Yoghurt: It's the best-known healthy bacteria food. Look for low-sugar and lower-calorie yoghurt that contain lactobacillus, bifidus and acidophilus.>> Apples: The friendly bacteria in them help produce short-chain fatty acids that provide ideal pH conditions for ensuring a beneficial balance of microorganisms. >> Miso (made from fermented soy), used in Japanese cuisine, is a good source of lactobacillus acidophilus. >> Sauerkraut(fermented cabbage), used in German cuisine, contains lactobacilli plantarum.>> Kefir: A fermented milk product, kefir contains a mixture of beneficial yeasts and bacteria. HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN? 
>> Among young people and children, diabetes is caused when the body's immune cells damage the special cells in the pancreas that produce the hormone insulin. >> Japanese researchers noticed that a strain of lab mice tended to get diabetes. 
THE ROLE OF FRIENDLY BACTERIA 
>> The friendly bacteria in the intestines help us digest our food and supply the body with energy and vitamins. This in turn helps to ward off bad bacteria that cause various infections. >> Research has shown that the influence of the intestinal bacteria extends much deeper, for example, by reducing the likelihood of diabetes. >> "We hope that our new understanding — of how intestinal bacteria may protect children from developing diabetes — will allow us to develop new treatments," said one of the study experts.