You may have heard of lactic acid bacteria at least once. Today, I would like to briefly talk about gram-positive bacteria that primarily produce lactic acid during fermentation, specifically lactobacilli.

First, lactobacilli broadly refer to all bacteria belonging to the Lactobacillus genus, and more narrowly, they refer to beneficial bacteria that inhabit the human intestines, mouth, and genitals, coexisting with our body. As the name suggests, they produce lactic acid through fermentation, which is why they are often found in fermented foods.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) define probiotics as "live microorganisms that provide health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts." One of the most representative examples is lactic acid bacteria. The fact that lactic acid bacteria are good for health became widely known thanks to the research of Russian scientist Ilya Mechnikov in 1907. This lactic acid bacteria is abundantly present in commonly consumed fermented foods like yogurt and kimchi.

The roles of lactic acid bacteria in the human body are much more diverse than one might think. They help suppress the growth of harmful gut bacteria, contribute to enhancing immunity, aid digestion, and influence various metabolic processes. Because of these beneficial effects of lactic acid bacteria on the body, many people consistently consume probiotic products or fermented foods.

If you are concerned about your gut health, it is a good idea to frequently consume fermented foods (such as kimchi, cheonggukjang, and yogurt) or consider probiotic supplements. By maintaining a consistent diet and continuing to intake lactic acid bacteria, you may notice positive changes not only in your gut but also in your overall body condition.

Today, we briefly looked at lactic acid bacteria and lactobacilli. How about checking your diet and lifestyle habits to ensure that lactic acid bacteria can be a part of your daily life? I hope this helps a little with your health.