Activia, a brand of yogurt that promotes digestive health, is a good food to eat while you have diarrhea. While Activia can help shorten the duration of diarrhea, any yogurt that contains live and active cultures is beneficial and can have the same effect. If you have an isolated instance of diarrhea from the stomach flu, food poisoning or inflammation in the gut, yogurt may be beneficial. Chronic diarrhea needs to be assessed by your health care provider to determine the cause and the most effective treatment.
About Activia
Video of the Day
Activia is a brand of yogurt made by Dannon that markets the probiotic culture called Bifidus Regularis, or Bifidobacterium lactis. This bacteria is found in other brands of yogurt, but Dannon has trademarked the same Bifidus Regularis to market the product. Probiotics are helpful bacteria that naturally live in the colon and help promote digestive health and regularity. During bouts of diarrhea, the amount of probiotics can greatly diminish. Eating yogurt that contains live and active cultures can help replace any lost bacteria. Activia.us.com states that eating Activia yogurt on a daily basis can help improve your overall health.
Video of the Day
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a normal symptom that most people develop at least once in their lifetimes. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse defines it as having loose, watery and frequent stools. Diarrhea can be caused by various conditions, such as a stomach bug, food allergies, irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn's disease. The most effective treatment for diarrhea is to modify your diet to promote solid and regular stools. A common diet for diarrhea treatment includes bananas, white bread, white rice, apple sauce and yogurt. Eating these foods can help you bulk up your stool, and they are easy to digest.
Yogurt Benefits
Activia and other brands of yogurt that contain probiotics may help shorten the duration and severity of diarrhea. The beneficial bacteria in yogurt cause the body to create more white blood cells, which fight off infections. Yogurt may also help heal damaged lining of the intestines, according to AskDrSears.com. The most effective yogurt to consume is yogurt that is low in fat and contains very little sugar.
Considerations
If you've been diagnosed with a milk allergy or you have difficulty digesting milk, you can find the same benefits of probiotics found in yogurt in a dietary supplement. You can also purchase soy-based yogurts with live and active cultures. Talk with your doctor before using any supplements to treat your symptoms.
Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.