Probiotics are "good" bacterial strains that benefit a person's health, according to MayoClinic.com. Although it is not necessary to consume probiotics, eating them regularly can help with digestion and offer a level of protection against detrimental bacteria. The most accessible way to consume this bacterium is through yogurt, which usually add live and active cultures post-pasteurization. There are several yogurt brands available throughout the United States that contain probiotics.
Activia
Activia is available in a variety of flavors, including strawberry, mixed berry, vanilla, cherry and prune, according to the manufacturer Dannon. It also contains a healthy variety of probiotics including Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis -- a specialized probiotic culture specific to digestion and regularity. According to a study published in the July 2006 issue of "Applied and Environmental Microbiology" conducted by Marina Eli, both L. bulgaricus and S. thermophilus survived through the digestive pathways attributing to increased regularity and digestion. Dannon notes that in each 4-oz. serving of yogurt, the consumer will obtain billions of live cultures.
Yoplait YoPlus
Yoplait YoPlus contains clinically proven probiotic cultures as well as fiber and vitamins A and E, according to the manufacturer. Unlike Activia, Yoplait YoPlus only contains Bifidobacterium. A study published in 1994 in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" found that Bifidobacterium helped to keep the bacterial flora within the body balanced. This "good" bacteria also effectively suppressed infections caused by Helicobacter pylori. Each serving of Yoplait YoPlus contains 3 g of fiber and a total of 110 calories. It is available in several flavors, including vanilla, strawberry, blackberry pomegranate, cherry, peach and blueberry acai.
Stonyfield
Stonyfield yogurt is certified organic, which means the manufacturer does not use any antibiotics, pesticides, herbicides or chemical means to procure their product in accordance with U.S. Food and Drug Administration standards of organic labeling. Stonyfield has an exclusive six live active culture blend of probiotics, which include Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidus, Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus. As part of the Lactobacillus family, L. acidophilus, L. casei and L. rhamnosus help in regulating the digestive tract. Stonyfield yogurt is available in a variety of flavors including French vanilla, strawberry pomegranate, raspberry, key lime and peach, among others.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Probiotics - Important for a Healthy Diet?
- Activia: How Activia Can Help Me
- "Applied and Environmental Microbiology"; Survival of Yogurt Bacteria in the Human Gut; Marina Elli; July 2006
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Does Yogurt Enriched with Bifidobacterium longum Affect Colonic Microbiology and Fecal Metabolites in Health Subjects; H.P. Bartram, et al.; The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition; 1994
- Yoplait YoPlus: Products
- Stonyfield: Our Products
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