Lactobacillus Plantarum

Food source: Sourdough breads, fermented foods like miso, kimchi and sauerkraut. Often added to yoghurts and other dairy products.

Benefits of Lactobacillus Plantarum

• Gut health
• Relieves constipation
• Cardiovascular health
• Mental performance
• Vaginal health

What is Lactobacillus Plantarum?  

Compared to other strains, Lactobacillus plantarum has been researched extensively for digestion, IBD and common symptoms of IBS. Studies have shown an improvement in all symptoms in 95% of patients who took Lactobacillus plantarum, and that taking Lactobacillus plantarum could improve flatulence, as well as reduce the number of days with abundant gas by half in people suffering from IBS. L.plantarum is also one of the best probiotics for constipation, as it helps produce short-chain fatty acids which encourage efficient peristalsis (the constriction and relaxation of muscles in the intestine), supporting healthy bowel movements. You may be interested in learning the difference between IBD and IBS. Discover the ‘Common & unusual symptoms of IBS’ and the ‘Best probiotics for IBS’.

The gut and vagina are also connected via the ‘gut-vagina’ axis. The vaginal microbiome is made up of a range of microorganisms that contribute to vaginal health. L.plantarum is one of these ‘good’ bacteria that keep other, pathogenic species in check. This is why it could help to treat issues such as bacterial vaginosis, a condition defined by having too many harmful bacteria in the vaginal microbiome. You may also enjoy ‘What is vaginal atrophy?’. 

L.plantarum has been associated with managing levels of cholesterol in the blood. Studies have shown that bacteria assimilate cholesterol, significantly reducing the total levels of cholesterol in the body. When cholesterol builds up, it can block arteries, increasing your blood pressure and the stress on your heart. You may also enjoy reading ‘5 top tips to lower cholesterol’ and ‘The impact of your gut on your heart’.

Lactobacillus plantarum is a crucial part of our gut microbiome, but it’s important to remember that the relationship is a mutual one; in order for this bacteria to provide health benefits to us, it needs to be thriving and healthy itself. Probiotics require fibrous prebiotics as their food, so we need to consume these in our diet for them to do their job. One of the most important of these is Inulin, which can be found in a range of fruit and vegetables.