How are bacteria beneficial to humans? To gain insight, think about eating food. You cannot digest your food completely without the bacteria in your digestive system. Next, think about fighting disease. You cannot protect yourself from several types of illnesses without the help of these microorganisms. It is hard to think about bacteria and all the millions and millions of types engulfing you inside and out. But if you stop and put it in perspective, you will discover without bacteria humans could not survive.
How Bacteria Help
The first thing to realize is most bacteria are good for you. Don’t let the word fool or mislead you. It is easy to get caught up in the thought that bacteria are bad when you are surrounded by anti-bacteria soaps and cleansers, but there actually are a lot of great reasons to be thankful that the microorganisms are around. They offer benefits such as assisting in:
- Digestion and consumption of food
- Absorption of nutrients
- Immunity development
- Prevention of allergies
- Production of vitamin K and other vital vitamins
- Prevention of conditions such as Crohn’s disease and inflammatory bowel disease
- Inflammation reduction
- Blocking pathogenic bacteria from inhibiting the body
Types of Beneficial Bacteria and How They Help
1. Bifidobacterium
How are bacteria helpful to humans? Bifidobacterium is a good example of how humans benefit from these microorganisms. This bacterium lives in our digestive tract and is the key to a healthy digestive system. It stops the growth of pathogenic or bad bacteria, which in turn prevents the development of several health conditions. Bifidobacterium is the most dominant bacteria in our system and the most beneficial. It starts colonizing in our digestive tracts when we are newborns, aiding the digestive system from almost the start of life. It also offers benefits, such as:
- Lowering risk of cancer
- Preventing of diarrhea
- Boosting immunities
- Reducing cholesterol
2. Lactobacillus Salivarius
Lactobacillus salivarius lives in both the mouth and the digestive system. It inhibits the growth and development of pathogenic and bad bacteria. The lactic acid in it creates aids in the fight against harmful bacteria such as those causing dangerous staph infections.
Research has also uncovered evidence that this friendly bacteria aid in the destruction of protein by-products that are harmful to the body. Lactobacillus salivarius is tenacious and can repopulate every fifteen to twenty minutes. It can live in both oxygenated and non-oxygenated settings.
3. Streptococcus Thermophilus
Streptococcus thermophilus is friendly bacterium, which also lives in the digestive tract. Even though related to some strains of bad bacteria, it is beneficial to humans. It stimulates the development of lactic acid, delivering lactose to the digestive system and aiding in the relief of symptom caused by the intolerance of lactose. Streptococcus thermophilus is utilized for milk, yogurt and cheese production.
4. Bacteroides Thetaiotaomicron
When thinking about how are bacteria helpful to humans, consider bacteroides thetaiotaomicron. Without it in our digestive tract, we could not break down and consume several types of plant molecules. In fact, without this microorganism, vegetarians would be in a lot of trouble because they would be unable to digest and absorb most of the food they eat.
5. Lactobacillus Johnsonii
Humans greatly benefit from lactobacillus johnsonii, especially babies and infants. This bacterium resides in the digestive system, aiding with the digestion of milk. If it were absent, your body would have a difficult time breaking down and absorbing the nutrients found in the nutritious drink.
6. Escherichia Coli
Escherichia coli produce the vital and essential vitamin K in our digestive tract. Research has found evidence that this nutrient not only aids in proper blood clotting, but also assists in the fight against heart disease, diabetes, certain types of cancer, osteoporosis and other illnesses.
7. Viridans Streptococci
How are bacteria helpful to humans? Viridans streptococci is a good example of how these microorganisms help humans survive. This bacterium lives and flourishes in our throats. Although not born with it, they find a way to get into human systems at infancy. Viridans streptococci thrive in our mouths, preventing other bad bacteria from growing because there is not enough space.