You might know them from the supermarket, commercials, or word-of-mouth: probiotics. It may sound strange, but these bacteria can have an incredibly positive effect on your health. They help keep the balance between 'good' and 'less good' bacteria.
What many people don't know is that probiotics are also used in products other than food, such as laundry detergent or cleaning agents. Curious about how these smart microorganisms work and how you can incorporate them into your daily routine? Then read on!
What exactly are probiotics and what do they do in your body?
Probiotics are living bacteria. That might sound daunting, but you don't need to worry. On the contrary: they are extremely useful in your food and other products, such as laundry detergent. They are active substances that combat so-called 'bad' bacteria.
The name says it all: "pro" means for and "biotics" refers to life. Together, this word means 'for life'. They occur naturally in fermented foods, but are also used in products like probiotic laundry detergent. There, they naturally help break down dirt and foul odors.
Moreover, probiotics are a truly natural option to upgrade your daily lifestyle. These handy bacteria are fully biodegradable and contain no harmful chemicals. That’s not only good for the environment, but also for your skin: they are less irritating than regular cleaning agents and safer for your skin.
Do you want to experience how probiotics can give your lifestyle a natural upgrade? Order the probiotic laundry detergent from Grace is Green now.
Your microbiome: why bacteria are not always bad
When hearing the word bacteria, many people immediately think of illness or filth. Yet, your body consists of more bacterial cells than human cells: everyone carries around 30-38 trillion (!) of them. Fortunately, because without these microorganisms, your body wouldn't be able to function properly.
The microbiome is the collective term for all microorganisms on and in your body. These can be all sorts of tiny living things, such as bacteria, but also fungi. Most of these so-called 'microbes' are found in your intestines, in your gut flora. But they are also on your skin, in your mouth, and even in your respiratory tract.
Those trillions of bacterial cells help digest food, produce vitamins, and support your immune system. Want to know more about how probiotics work in your body? Then read this helpful guide from Zorgwijzer.
Probiotics vs. prebiotics: what is the difference?
Probiotics and prebiotics are often confused, but they are actually very different and desperately need each other. Probiotics are the living microorganisms themselves. You get them, for example, through fermented products, such as the sauerkraut with your hotchpotch, kefir, or your daily cup of yogurt. They help your gut flora with digestion.
Prebiotics are not bacteria, but fibers that serve as 'nutrients' for your probiotics. You could say that prebiotics encourage the probiotics in your intestines to work extra hard. Together, these two form an excellent team for your health.
Why your skin also has a microbiome
Not just your intestines, but your skin also has its own microbiome. This layer ensures that harmful particles cannot penetrate your skin and gives your skin time to build up restorative capacity. If your microbiome gets out of balance, you will notice it immediately. This manifests, for example, as dryness, irritation, or redness.
Such a disruption of your skin balance can be caused by all kinds of factors, such as stress, weather, but also aggressive cleaning products for your environment or your clothing. That is why more and more people are choosing milder alternatives, such as probiotic laundry detergents that are less taxing on the skin. You can order probiotic laundry detergent at an affordable price at Grace is Green!
The impact of laundry detergents on your skin and health
Your clothing is in constant contact with your skin. Yet, we rarely stop to think about what might remain in your clothes. Residues of laundry detergent often stay behind in fabrics, which can cause irritation or itching. This is especially the case if you wash at low temperatures or have sensitive skin.
Probiotic laundry detergents use good bacteria to fight off foul odors and nasty stains. This is not only beneficial for your skin, but also incredibly effective. Furthermore, it is better for your clothing to wash with probiotics: the colors, fabric, and texture are better preserved than with contact with chemical detergents.
Curious about all the benefits of probiotics in your laundry detergent? Check out our Byoms probiotic laundry detergent now. Fragrance-free and with a lovely, soft scent!
What is in conventional laundry detergents?
Regular laundry detergents from the drugstore, supermarket, or online often contain synthetic fragrances, optical brighteners, and aggressive surfactants. These components initially ensure a thorough wash, but are bad for your skin and your clothes in the long run. They are also not always very friendly to the environment.
That is because some substances are poorly biodegradable in water. When they end up in wastewater, they have a negative impact on the environment. They reduce water quality and are harmful to aquatic life.
Many common laundry detergents also irritate your skin due to aggressive surfactants meant to pull dirt out of your clothes, but which subsequently remain in your garments. Especially with children, you run the risk of contact allergies. Want to know more? Read our blog about allergy-friendly products.
Natural washing as part of a healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is therefore not just about nutrition, supplements, and enough exercise. Your skin is an incredibly large part of your health and is constantly in contact with all kinds of products. By choosing mild laundry detergents with probiotics, you limit exposure to harmful substances.
View all probiotic laundry detergents from Byoms here.
Frequently asked questions about probiotics
How long does it take for probiotics to work?
That differs per person. Your body is a system that has to adapt. For some people, you notice a difference within a few days; for others, it may take several weeks before probiotics have a beneficial effect on the skin or gut flora.
Are probiotics safe for daily use?
There is currently a lot of research being done into the efficacy and safety of probiotics. Products with probiotics are always approved for use. You can therefore incorporate them into your daily lifestyle with peace of mind. In general, probiotics have a beneficial effect on healthy people.
Small probiotics, big impact on your well-being
Probiotics may seem like just tiny bacteria. But in reality, together they have an incredibly large and positive effect on your health. They support your gut flora and can work as a natural active substance in laundry or cleaning agents.
What you put on your skin and what you wash your clothes with is just as much a part of your health. By consciously choosing mild and natural laundry detergent, you create a skin-friendly environment for yourself, which you will certainly benefit from. View our range of Byoms probiotics here now.
Source acknowledgment: Mayo Clinic, Healthline, National Institutes of Health, Waarzitwatin.nl, Byoms.dk