Irritable bowel syndrome, also known as IBS, is a disorder that refers to a group of symptoms consisting of abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea and constipation. IBS affects the colon, the area of the digestive tract where stool is stored. No one is certain what causes IBS, but bacteria in yogurt are believed to help ease symptoms.
About Yogurt
Probiotics found in cultures added to yogurt may be beneficial in promoting bacteria in the bowel. The same bacteria already exist in the large intestine and work by inhibiting the growth of yeast and harmful bacteria. Probiotics are believed to be beneficial to people with IBS because it helps ease gas and bloating and assists in moving food through the intestinal tract more rapidly, which relieves constipation.
Considerations
One of the problems with consuming yogurt for its probiotic content is that there's no way of knowing how much of the live, active cultures are in the product, according to Natasha Trenev, author and probiotic expert. In 2008, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Dannon for making claims that probiotics in its yogurt could help regulate your digestive system. While Dannon stood by its claims, the company did revise its ad campaign a year later and reimbursed customers who bought the yogurt for the purpose of boosting immunity and other health benefits. Also, a strain of bacteria that manufacturers add to yogurt products specifically labeled probiotic, called L. acidophilus, is a type that does not thrive well with the two strains that naturally exist in yogurt cultures. In most cases, because yogurt is wet and bacteria naturally reproduce rapidly, it's likely the bacteria will die off before you even open the container.
Risks
Certain types of yogurt, those that are made with low fat or whole milk, can exacerbate IBS symptoms. Casein and whey, also used as an additive in yogurt production, can worsen or trigger IBS.
Choosing the Right Product
It's difficult to know what manufacturers you can trust when it comes to probiotic content in food, especially in light of the Dannon lawsuit. The Wall Street Journal suggests that when you choose a probiotic, you should look for products that list certain strains of bacteria, such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. This strain has been tested and has proven health benefits. Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 is another reliable strain of bacteria. Look for products that say "live" on the packaging, and if a yogurt is past its expiration date, the bacteria are probably dead.
References
- Gastroenterology & Hepatology: Probiotic Therapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Reuters: Dannon Sued Over Probiotic Bacteria Claim; January 2008
- Federal Trade Commission: Dannon Agrees to Drop Exaggerated Health Claims for Activia Yogurt and DanActive Dairy Drink; December 2010
- FamilyDoctor.org: Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Tips on Controlling Your Symptoms
- Innate Health: IBS Treatment Center: The Causes of IBS
- Wall Street Journal: Bug Crazy: Assessing the Benefits of Probiotics
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