Activia is a brand-name yogurt made by Dannon that contains a specific strain of beneficial bacteria -- Bifidus Regularis -- that can help regulate your digestive system. Dannon is so confident that Activia can help your digestion that at the time of publication it offers a 14 day money-back guarantee for reimbursement of up to $12.00. Called the Activia Promise, you can participate by registering online and eating between one and three 4 oz. servings of Activia yogurt daily.
Probiotics
"Probiotic" literally means "for life" and describes any type of bacteria, yeast or fungus that benefits its host. You have about 100 trillion living microorganisms in your digestive tract that aid digestion and the absorption of nutrients. Some are more beneficial than others -- but your body generally maintains balance, with good bacteria keeping less friendly bacteria in check. There are hundreds of different types of probiotics, generally grouped into two main categories -- Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium. Dannon Activia contains Bifidus Regularis, their proprietary name for Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173 010.
The Challenge
Dannon claims that eating at least one but up to three servings of Activia every day can "help you reduce intestinal transit time as well as help you regulate your digestive system naturally." During the months of September and October 2009, Dannon offered a money-back guarantee that you would "feel the difference" eating Activia yogurt. You could register online and be eligible for a range of prizes, just for trying the product. A prize package valued at $1000.00 included an iPod Nano, an iTunes gift card and a $600.00 gift certificate to yoga clothing company Lululemon was also given away.
Activia Nutrition
Activia comes in a number of flavors and in full fat, nonfat and light varieties. Flavors include fruit flavors such as blueberry, strawberry and peach, as well as dessert flavors such as cheesecake and fruit cobbler. Activia Light Fat Free Strawberry Yogurt contains 70 calories, 5 g protein, 13 g carbohydrates -- including 8 g sugar and 2 g fiber -- and no fat in a single 4 oz. serving. Activia Dessert Blueberry Cheesecake contains more than twice the calories of the Light Fat Free Strawberry -- 150 calories in a 4 oz. serving. It also contains 6 g protein, 23 g carbs, including 20 g sugar, and 4 g fat -- with 2.5 g saturated fat.
Activia Products
Dannon has expanded the line of Activia products containing the probiotic Bifidus Regularis. In addition to yogurt, the company offers "Activia Fiber" -- a combination of low-fat yogurt, cereal and added fiber; Activia drink smoothies; "Activia Parfaits" -- a mixture of yogurt and crunchy granola; and both greek and french style yogurts. Dannon has now partnered with Stonyfield Organic to produce a low-fat organic Activia yogurt with the same Bifidus Regularis probiotics.
References
- The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: An Introduction to Probiotics
- Activia.com: How Can Activia Help Me?
- Activia.com: Activia Products
- Slate; Gut Instinct What Health Benefits, Exactly, is Activia Yogurt Supposed to Offer?; Lauren Sandler; July 2008
- MayoClinic.com; Probiotics: Bacteria That Offer Health Benefits; June 2009
Member Comments