Digestive issues like diarrhoea can be a real pain in the butt. Unfortunately, you will encounter diarrhoea at some point in your life, but we have some tips to help you ensure the problem occurs as infrequently as possible.

Eating a well-balanced diet and limiting saturated fats and processed food while getting in your vitamins and minerals is a great start, but so is getting your daily dose of probiotics.

But you may have questions about Probiotics. Will they help prevent diarrhoea and discomfort? Or, do they have side effects that might cause an upset stomach? Keep reading for the full lowdown on everything you need to know about Probiotics, their awesome benefits, and potential side effects.

Probiotics & Diarrhoea

What are probiotics?

Probiotics are health-promoting bacteria that help fight bad bacteria in our gut. A healthy gut usually means there is an equal balance of good and bad bacteria in our digestive system. It’s when this balance is thrown off by excess bad bacteria that we may experience discomfort and complications such as diarrhoea.

How do probiotics help avoid diarrhoea?

Probiotic consumption can reduce the chances of catching, and reduce the severity of diarrhoea. While we can't avoid having harmful bacteria in our gut, we can increase the presence of good bacteria which can be achieved by increasing our consumption of fermented and probiotic-rich foods. Such foods include yogurt, kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut, pickles, miso, tempeh, kimchi, sourdough, and cheeses.

What causes diarrhoea?

The dreaded diarrhoea requires no introduction. However, for those fortunate enough to have lived without an encounter, it refers to loose stools that occur more than three times a day. It can come with other symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, headaches or fever.

Diarrhoea can be caused by several things, including lactose intolerance, viruses, bacteria, or parasites that infect the stomach, such as food poisoning.

It usually lasts for a day or two and goes away within a few weeks without needing any special attention.

Can probiotics cause diarrhoea?

Too much of a good thing can still cause harm, and probiotics are no different. It is important only to take the recommended dosage of probiotics and monitor how you feel once you begin taking probiotics. Stop taking probiotics and see your GP if you encounter uncomfortable side effects.

The best probiotics for gut health and diarrhoea

Probiotics are naturally found in the stomach but are often compromised or outnumbered by 'bad' bacteria, making supplementing probiotics a surefire way to increase gut health and give the good bacteria the upper hand.

To strengthen your gut's good bacteria, you can introduce probiotics as a regular addition to a well-rounded diet. The best probiotics for gut health combine multiple strains to decrease bowel discomfort and support digestive system health. We recommend adding the daily probiotic to your vitamin pack to aid your gut with the healthy bacteria it needs.

There are some common situations that underline the importance of increasing probiotics consumption:

Traveller's diarrhoea

You'll encounter an incredible array of new and exotic food when travelling abroad. As exciting as it is to experiment with new cuisines, you need to be wary of food and waterborne bacteria that can cause traveller's diarrhoea. One way of limiting your risk without having to forgo the flavours of the world is to take probiotics.

Probiotics, specifically Saccharomyces, effectively reduce and relieve symptoms of traveller's diarrhoea. Our Probiotic SB is specifically designed to reduce the chances of catching travellers' diarrhoea and the severity of symptoms.

Antibiotic use

Antibiotics are excellent for many reasons; however, they can be harmful to our gut bacteria (the good and the bad). It is common for those who take antibiotics to develop diarrhoea soon after because of how they mess with our gut. Taking probiotics allows you to restore friendly gut flora after antibiotic use.

How to prevent diarrhoea

Some of the best preventive measures for diarrhoea are making lifestyle changes and being cautious of the food you eat, especially when travelling abroad. This includes improving diet, hydrating, and consuming enough probiotics.

Try and prepare food that works for you and steer clear of the meals that have given you an upset stomach in the past. Sounds obvious, but we have all been known to indulge in meals that aren't great for us, so this is your reminder to eat well. If you don't know what foods trigger allergies or upset your stomach, stick to a balanced diet that limits processed food.

Fruit and vegetables offer various benefits and are full of nourishing vitamins and digestion-assisting fibre. Consuming a range of fruit and vegetables will assist in keeping your gut healthy and limit your chance of gut-related illness and overall health. The greater the variety, the more likely you achieve good gut health.

What to eat & drink if you have diarrhoea?

Eating light and soft foods on your stomach is important if you are dealing with diarrhoea. It is crucial to prioritise hydration and ensure you are getting enough electrolytes as your body is ridding itself of essential nutrients. Some things to consider when eating include:

Opt for a BRAT diet

If you are suffering from diarrhoea, chances are you won't be able to eat your regular diet (and you shouldn't try). Instead, try out a 'BRAT' diet consisting of bananas, rice, applesauce and toast.

The BRAT diet is effective in helping your stomach absorb the necessary nutrients from easily digestible and non-irritating foods without causing further stress. Foods with a high salt content can also be beneficial if you are suffering from diarrhoea because salt, in moderation, can aid in the body's retention of fluid. Some food ideas here are pretzels, soup, and isotonic drinks.

Hydrate

Gut issues such as diarrhoea cause significant dehydration due to the loss of fluids and the added strain placed on the body. Therefore, you must drink enough water and give your body added electrolytes.

Electrolyte supplements come in powder, tablet and ice block form. Drinking eight to ten glasses of water a day is vital if you have diarrhoea. Not only is water essential for hydration, but it also helps in breaking down food so your body can absorb nutrients.

Conclusion

They say half the battle is won when you've got a healthy lifestyle. The other half? Daily vitamins and supplements! Vitable gives you the power to receive your own personalised vitamin subscription to suit your health goals. Simply take the expert quiz to receive your recommendations and get personalised vitamins in Australia! We've even got the vitamin delivery part sorted.

Learn more about other areas that probiotics can help you with, plus additional supplements that can benefit in different ways:

Probiotics SB | Zinc | Daily probiotics | Curcumin

*Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, talk to your health professional. Vitamin and/or mineral supplements should not replace a balanced diet.