A importância dos probióticos para o bem-estar humano: uma revisão

Abstract

The constant human quest for increasingly natural, healthy, and functional foods, avoiding the ingestion of products with excessive additives, is noteworthy. Thus, we have the probiotics market strengthening, with new research being conducted to substantiate the effectiveness of ingesting these microorganisms in the treatment and prevention of diseases. The internationally accepted definition is that probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in the correct quantities, confer health benefits to the host. Various studies report benefits of their use, such as improved gastrointestinal function, combatting and preventing pathogenic bacteria, and boosting immunity. Additionally, studies highlight positive aspects of the therapeutic use of probiotics, such as assisting in the fight against obesity, cancer, and psychological disorders. There are numerous probiotic strains with applications in the food sector across different food matrices, as well as in other industries like cosmetics. Therefore, this review aspires to present, explain, and conceptualize the topic of probiotics, demonstrating their benefits, applications in food, and innovations in other markets.