Dannon makes both Activia and Danactive yogurts, which contain probiotics -- beneficial bacteria that regulate your digestive system and can help ease constipation. Probiotics, from the latin "pro" and "biota," meaning "for life," are microorganisms that live in your body -- more than 500 billion microbes are in your digestive tract alone. These friendly bacteria aid in digestion. help you absorb nutrients more effectively and can also help regulate bowel movements.
Probiotics
Beneficial bacteria strengthen your immune system and help keep harmful bacteria in check. There are more than 1,000 different strains and species of probiotics -- and each may have a unique function. When adding probiotics to your diet, it's important to know which bacteria you need. For example, Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus can help people who are lactose intolerant, while Lactobacillus acidophilus can help relieve yeast infections caused by a different type of microbe -- Candida albicans.
Activia Promise
Activia contains Bifidus Regularis, a trademarked name for Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173 010, the probiotic Dannon claims can "regulate your digestive system" when eaten as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. Dannon, the manufacturer of Activia, is so sure that its product can help regulate digestion and help with both diarrhea and constipation that it offers a money-back guarantee. Called the "Activia Promise," the guarantee is that if you consume at least one serving of Activia every day for two weeks and don't notice an improvement in regularity, you may be eligible for a refund of up to $12.00.
DanActive
What is sold as DanActive in the United States is sold as Actimel in other countries. It's a drinkable yogurt product that contains 10 billion live L.casei Danone, a specific probiotic bacteria -- scientifically called L.casei culture DN-114 001. In 2009, Dannon settled a false advertising lawsuit for $21 million after claiming that DanActive helped prevent people from catching colds. Although probiotics may help shorten the duration and intensity of the common cold, according to the National Institutes of Health, there is insufficient evidence for such a health claim to be used as marketing material.
Constipation
Constipation is most commonly the result of a poor diet and lack of physical activity. Although increasing your probiotic intake may help regulate digestion and bowel movements, increasing your fiber and fluid intake will also help. Eat at least 25 to 30 g of fiber daily, recommends the Mayo Clinic, and increase the amount of water you drink. Caffeinated beverages and alcohol can actually contribute to dehydration and don't count toward your total fluid intake. An underlying medical condition can cause chronic constipation, and you should discuss such health issues with your doctor.
