If you are like me you may wonder what kind of probiotics are in
yogurt. With all the buzz around probiotics and the health benefits they
provide, let us start with asking what are probiotics? Simply put, they
are beneficial bacteria that live in your gut.
The probiotics in yogurt vary from one brand to the next. All yogurt-varieties are fermented by Lactobacillus bulgaricus or streptococcus thermophiles, which may take up residence in the human digestive system and become a part of the natural gut flora.
The average person has gut flora that consists of these beneficial bacteria that help to prevent the overgrowth of viruses, yeasts and harmful bacteria like e-coli. There are hundreds of different strains of beneficial bacteria inhabiting your gut at any one time, including strains of Lactobacillus bacteria.
The strain Lactobacillus acidophilus (not Lactobacillus bulgaricus) is typically recommended as a probiotic supplement. Strains of bifidobacteria have also been recommended and are found in some dietary supplements. Streptococcus strains are not usually recommended.
Lactobacillus acidophilus can be added to yogurts. Some of the yogurts that are advertised as probiotics or are said to improve digestive health contain added lactobacillus acidophilus.
Other brands contain one of the bifidobacteria strains. For example, one of the popular brands contains bifidobacteria lactis cultures that are said to help "regulate our digestive system".
Some scientists believed there were probiotics in yogurt naturally, long before it was possible to identify different strains. The current school of thought is that a variety can only have probiotic activity if the bacteria cultures are "live and active".
Although all yogurts are created originally using live and active cultures, it became common for manufacturers to use a pasteurization process that involves heating the food, which renders the bacteria cultures inactive. The heat process need not be used. The bacteria cultures are not harmful to human health.
When you are comparing the brands on store shelves in the U.S., you can look for a label that says, "contains live and active cultures". This lets you know that the product could provide a probiotic benefit.
There are many health claims revolving around the probiotics in yogurt. The scientist who first identified lactobacillus bulgaricus believed that yogurts had anti-aging benefits. Today, most of the claims have to do with maintaining digestive health.
People who are lactose intolerant and are usually bothered by dairy products may be able to eat yogurts because the active bacteria cultures help to break down the lactose. When compared to other dairy foods, yogurts are certainly among the healthiest.
But if you are trying to really improve your digestive health, you need to know that prebiotics are important too. Prebiotic foods naturally stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria by feeding them. Prebiotics are fibrous material that cannot be digested by your body that can be broken down by the bacteria in the gut. By providing prebiotics you can help balance gut flora. The probiotics in yogurt might not do much good if you are not getting prebiotics too.
The probiotics in yogurt vary from one brand to the next. All yogurt-varieties are fermented by Lactobacillus bulgaricus or streptococcus thermophiles, which may take up residence in the human digestive system and become a part of the natural gut flora.
The average person has gut flora that consists of these beneficial bacteria that help to prevent the overgrowth of viruses, yeasts and harmful bacteria like e-coli. There are hundreds of different strains of beneficial bacteria inhabiting your gut at any one time, including strains of Lactobacillus bacteria.
The strain Lactobacillus acidophilus (not Lactobacillus bulgaricus) is typically recommended as a probiotic supplement. Strains of bifidobacteria have also been recommended and are found in some dietary supplements. Streptococcus strains are not usually recommended.
Lactobacillus acidophilus can be added to yogurts. Some of the yogurts that are advertised as probiotics or are said to improve digestive health contain added lactobacillus acidophilus.
Other brands contain one of the bifidobacteria strains. For example, one of the popular brands contains bifidobacteria lactis cultures that are said to help "regulate our digestive system".
Some scientists believed there were probiotics in yogurt naturally, long before it was possible to identify different strains. The current school of thought is that a variety can only have probiotic activity if the bacteria cultures are "live and active".
Although all yogurts are created originally using live and active cultures, it became common for manufacturers to use a pasteurization process that involves heating the food, which renders the bacteria cultures inactive. The heat process need not be used. The bacteria cultures are not harmful to human health.
When you are comparing the brands on store shelves in the U.S., you can look for a label that says, "contains live and active cultures". This lets you know that the product could provide a probiotic benefit.
There are many health claims revolving around the probiotics in yogurt. The scientist who first identified lactobacillus bulgaricus believed that yogurts had anti-aging benefits. Today, most of the claims have to do with maintaining digestive health.
People who are lactose intolerant and are usually bothered by dairy products may be able to eat yogurts because the active bacteria cultures help to break down the lactose. When compared to other dairy foods, yogurts are certainly among the healthiest.
But if you are trying to really improve your digestive health, you need to know that prebiotics are important too. Prebiotic foods naturally stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria by feeding them. Prebiotics are fibrous material that cannot be digested by your body that can be broken down by the bacteria in the gut. By providing prebiotics you can help balance gut flora. The probiotics in yogurt might not do much good if you are not getting prebiotics too.
If you would like to learn more about the best prebiotic supplements then check out my website at URL: http://www.prebiotics-or-probiotics.com
W Petersen is a passionate advocate and researcher of the benefits of different supplements including omega-3 fatty acids and prebiotics. He is a father of two children.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=W_Petersen
W Petersen is a passionate advocate and researcher of the benefits of different supplements including omega-3 fatty acids and prebiotics. He is a father of two children.
No comments:
Post a Comment