If you are a fan of yogurt, you are not alone. The yogurt industry is a 7 billion dollar market in the country. In the country, almost every yogurt company is trying to make their business expand. Probiotic yogurt is beneficial for the overall wellbeing of the gut. It helps in better digestion and helps steer clear of digestion-related issues. Scientific studies have shown that the bacteria found in yogurt, be it Greek or probiotic yogurt, are beneficiary for the health.

What are probiotics?

Probiotics are nothing but microorganisms or good bacteria that help the host. In short, they are microbes that make an individual healthier. It has been proved that most bacteria used in probiotic yogurt help assist in clearing the gut and keeping it healthy. Not all bacteria are same in characteristics. Some strains are found to be even more healthy; however, not all strains can be used in probiotic yogurt. Some of the popular brands offering probiotic yogurts in the country are Yoplait, Stonyfield, Chobani, and Dannon. All of them are easily available in the supermarkets. Dannon even has a special category of probiotic yogurts. Other popular and best-rated probiotics yogurt brands with limited availability are Greek Gods Yogurt, Fage Total Greek Yogurt, Voskos Greek yogurt, and La Yogurt.

It has been found that all yogurts are made by mixing these probiotic bacteria. Finding the strains individually and deriving their benefits is a very difficult task. It was found that an individual strain of bacteria reacts differently in a collective mixture.

What are the benefits?

Lactobacillus bulgarus and Streptococcus thermophilus are the most widely used bacteria for making probiotic yogurts. Additional bacteria are added for flavor, texture, and probiotic benefits. Both strains easily survive in the gastrointestinal tract. Studies have found that the probiotics improve the liver enzyme levels. It was found that they improve the immunity system of anorexic patients. They also promote absorption of lactose in lactose-intolerant patients. Some studies have also shown that baby formula can be replaced with yogurt, and it can help avoid diarrhea in infants.

Majority of probiotic studies have to be examined carefully as every strain has a unique character and when they are combined, their resulting characteristic has to be monitored. Brands that have scientifically studied the strains used in their mix are La Yogurt, Dannon’s Activia, DanActive, and Yakult. Although the precise combination of strains used in La Yogurt hasn’t be examined scientifically, Bifidobacterium animalis lactis BB-12 is the strain primarily used. This strain works on the immune system and helps reducing inflammation. It has been found that BB-12 in infants lowers respiratory diseases. This strain is a very popular component in probiotic supplements.

The probiotic strain used in Dannon’s Activia is also commercial and is known as Bifidus regularis. Unlike the animalis strain mentioned above, thorough studies have been conducted on this strain in isolation and it has been found out that the regularis strain is a perfect microbe that helps fight against the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Studies have found out that the strain had positive effects on intestinal inflammation. The regularis strain has also shown to work wonders in treating conditions like constipation and bloating. This strain has shown to improve overall gut well being.

DanActive contains a strain of bacteria named L. Casei immunitas. Studies have revealed that this strain can reduce diarrhea in infants. This strain improves the barrier function of the intestine and harms bad microbes inside the digestive tract. This strain has been found to improve the immune system of the digestive tract. Some studies have revealed that immunitas could prove beneficial in the treatment of Crohn’s disease. It has been widely used in influenza vaccines to improve the effectiveness. This strain highly boosts the immunity system.

Lactobacillus casei is the strain used in the probiotic drink Yakult. Lactobacillus is a good solution for constipation and the patients have seen positive effects after a mere 2 week’s dosage. Lactobacillus has the ability to manipulate the intestinal microflora which helps in treating conditions like constipation. L. casei has also shown positive sign in countering constipation caused by Parkinson’s disease. Like other strain lactobacilli also improves the immune system and helps in fighting various allergies. It also plays an effective role in treating cancer. L. casei also has the ability to reduce carcinogenic metabolites in the colon.

Although the studies claim about the magical abilities of probiotics, it is always better to consult a doctor first hand if there is any kind of health issues. Consuming probiotic yogurt can be best for supporting the well-being of the body.