Do All Yogurts Contain Probiotics?

You've probably heard the term probiotic used in discussions of the health benefits attributed to these beneficial bacteria. Probiotics are commonly associated with yogurt, but if you want to gain the full benefit of probiotics, you'll have to do some careful label reading to ensure that your brand of yogurt contains live bacterial cultures.

Origins of Probiotics

The discovery of probiotics was made when Nobel laureate Elie Metchnikoff first linked the health and longevity of Bulgarian peasants, who often lived to be more than 100 years old, to the presence of beneficial microbes in the yogurt they consumed. The use of probiotics is believed to go back as far as Neolithic times, when fermented milk carried in pouches made from animal stomachs was consumed by herdsmen in Central Asia.

Live, Active Cultures

Yogurt is created through a process that uses live bacterial cultures to ferment milk. Most yogurt produced in North America uses a blend of two strains of live bacteria: Lactobacillus delbrueckii bulgaricus -- named in honor of the Bulgarians centenarians studied by Metchnikoff -- and Streptococcus thermophilus. Normally, when yogurt is created, live bacteria remain viable in the product. But some processes meant to prolong yogurt's shelf life, such as pasteurization, may kill off the probiotics and negate any probiotic benefits. To ensure that your yogurt has probiotic benefits, make sure the label says that it contains live, active bacterial cultures.

Benefits of Probiotics

Your body naturally contains a population of beneficial bacteria. These helpful microbes inhabit your gastrointestinal system, where they feast on the nondigestible fibers in the food you eat. In return, these bacteria keep your digestive tract healthy by warding off invasion by harmful pathogens that could otherwise colonize your intestines. Probiotics are useful in the management of digestive disorders such as gastric ulcers, lactose intolerance and irritable bowel syndrome, according to the U.S. Probiotics website.

Other Products

When you're not in the mood for yogurt, you can consume other foods to obtain probiotics. Beneficial bacteria are featured in a number of cheeses, pickled vegetables, miso, tempeh and cereals, according to The Nibble website, and are also available as a nutritional supplement in capsule and powder form. Consult your doctor before taking probiotic supplements.