You’re not the only one digesting your lunch—so are your microbes. Every time you eat, an entire ecosystem inside your gut gets to work, breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and boosting your immune system. Probiotics, live microorganisms found in certain bacteria and yeasts, are at the heart of this process. But understanding how they function (and why you should care) can be more complicated than it seems.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal condition that causes pain or discomfort in the stomach area. Those with IBS often experience stomach pain, sometimes along with constipation or diarrhea. Other symptoms can include bloating, mucus in the stool, or a feeling that the bowel has not completely emptied. Doctors aren’t sure what directly causes […]