Probiotic drinks provide living, beneficial bacteria in a drink form. The bacteria in probiotic drinks may improve your gastrointestinal health and help maintain regularity. The market for probiotic beverages in the United States continues to rise, according to a publication from Beverage Daily. Before using a probiotic drink to supplement your diet, ask your doctor for her recommendations.
Definition
A probiotic is a naturally occurring bacteria that may help your body in a variety of ways. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine indicates that the microorganisms used in probiotic drinks and supplements are "friendly or good" bacteria that your digestive system already has present. Common types of probiotics available in drinks are the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Look for drinks that contain a minimum of 1 billion probiotics, as recommended by the WellSpring School of Allied Health.
Expert Studies
Studies on the effectiveness of probiotic drinks indicate that the drinks may help with diarrhea, relieving gastrointestinal discomfort and aid in shortening how long elderly people had a cold. A study in the January 2010 edition of the "British Journal of Nutrition" found that the elderly subjects who took probiotic-rich dairy drinks experienced cold symptoms for 1 to 1 1/2 days less than the subjects who did not drink the enriched drinks. A second study, published in the July 2007 edition of the "BMJ" journal found that children who drank probiotic drinks while taking prescription antibiotics had fewer problems with diarrhea than those children not taking the probiotic drinks.
Uses and Availability
You can find probiotic drinks in health food and grocery stores, most often in the dairy or refrigerated sections. Drinking the drink daily will likely not harm you, as the bacteria occur naturally in your body. When you are taking antibiotics, ask your doctor if drinking a probiotic drink once or twice day will help you avoid unpleasant diarrhea often associated with antibiotic use. If you are dieting, purchase a drink with a lower caloric content to avoid adding unplanned calories to your diet.
Cautions
In 2010, the Federal Trade Commission required that the manufacturer of a popular brand of probiotic yogurt and dairy drink remove its claims that the probiotic drinks and yogurt reduced your incidence of constipation, and made it less likely that you would get the seasonal flu or the common cold. A well-balanced diet, proper hygiene and regular exercise all contribute to your overall health, and probiotic drinks can be part of your healthy diet. If you have young children, consult their doctor before giving them probiotic drinks.
References
- Beverage Daily; Probiotic Drinks are Still a Category to Watch; Guy Montague-Jones; January 2011
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; Probiotics; April 2011
- WellSpring School of Allied Health: Probiotics: Helpful Bacteria and Your Body
- "BMJ"; Use of Probiotic Lactobacilus Preparation to Prevent Diarrhoea Associated with Antibiotics: Randomised Double Blind Placebo Controlled Trial; Mary Hickson, et al.; July 2007
- "British Journal of Nutrtion"; Consumption of a Fermented Dairy Product Containing the Probiotic Lactobacillus Casei DN-114 001 Reduces the Duration of Respiratory Infections in the Elderly in a Randomised Controlled Trial; E. Guillemard, et al.; January 2010
- Federal Trade Commission; Dannon Agrees to Drop Exaggerated Health Claims for Activia Yogurt and DanActive Dairy Drink; December 2010
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