Yogurt & Probiotics

Yogurt, a rich source of calcium and protein, can be a healthy snack or dessert. Even lactose-intolerant individuals can eat yogurt because the bacterial cultures used in the manufacturing process break down lactose into easily digestible simple sugars. These bacteria, called probiotics, may also play a role in treating some digestive system conditions and improving immunity, although some researchers question these claims.

Yogurt

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's standard of identity for yogurt states that manufacturers must use warm pasteurized milk and live bacterial cultures of Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. The bacteria cause fermentation, producing the lactic acid that gives yogurt its tangy taste. Manufacturers may use any type of milk -- skim, low-fat or regular -- and may add a variety of flavorings, fruit, cereal and other ingredients if desired.

Probiotics

Probiotics are live microorganisms -- bacteria, viruses and yeast -- that may provide health benefits. Probiotics occur naturally in the intestinal tract and are also found in foods such as yogurt, milk, buttermilk, some soft cheeses, soy products, kim chi, sauerkraut and many pickles. Probiotics may help to treat or prevent inflammatory bowel diseases, stomach inflammation, ulcers, constipation, diarrhea and cancer of the colon, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Live and Active Bacteria Cultures

All yogurts contain at least two probiotics -- Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus -- at the time of manufacture but some manufacturers treat the product with heat afterwards to prolong the shelf life, thereby killing the bacteria. A "Live and Active Culture" label on the container indicates that the product had at least 100 million live cultures at the time of manufacture and has not been treated with heat, according to About Yogurt.

Claims

Manufacturers' claims regarding the benefits probiotics in regulating digestion and boosting immunity lack convincing scientific evidence, according to a report by the Center for Science in the Public Interest published in the July-August 2008 issue of "Nutrition Action Healthletter." The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine says that probiotics may be effective in treating diarrhea, urinary tract infections, irritable bowel syndrome, some gastrointestinal infections and eczema in children, but cautions consumers against using probiotics in place of conventional medical therapy.