Your intestines are colonized by hundreds of different microbial species that help promote digestive health, produce vitamins, boost your immune system and prevent growth of harmful bacteria. Sometimes the microbial balance in your intestines gets interrupted leading to gastrointestinal problems. Eating a yogurt that contains live, active and friendly microbes, also called probiotics, can help restore the normal flora in your intestines and prevent any discomfort that may result otherwise. However, the market is full of different yogurt brands that contain different probiotics. Know which cultures are scientifically shown to be helpful and only buy yogurts that contain these live and active bacterial cultures.
Lactobacillus GG
Lactobacillus GG, also known as LGG, is widely researched probiotic bacterial strain that is shown to promote intestinal health, manage colic, prevent symptoms of upset stomach and promote regular bowel function. A study published in the "Annals of Medicine" in 1990 showed that eating a yogurt with LGG helped reduce diarrhea and restore normal flora after antibiotic treatment. A drinkable yogurt smoothie called Danimals, made by Dannon, contains natural LGG cultures.
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus acidophilus is the most commonly used probiotic, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Yogurts that contain L. acidophilus can promote digestive health as well as help treat bacterial vaginal infections. Although vaginal suppositories containing L. acidophilus are indicated for bacterial vaginosis, eating a yogurt that contains the bacteria may also help. Yogurt brands that contain L. acidophilus include Stonyfield and Yoplait.
Lactobacillus casei
Third Lactobacillus strain that helps promote normal flora and intestinal health is L. casei. Yogurt beverage that contained L. casei helped reduce diarrhea and promote normal flora after four-week treatment period, according to a study published in "Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering" in 2010. Yogurts that have L. casei include the Stonyfield yogurts, Danactive by Dannon, and a yogurt drink called Yakult.
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium lactis, also called Bifidus Regularis, is another bacterial species and a probiotic that can promote intestinal health. A study published in "the British Journal of Nutrition" in 2009 found that taking a yogurt drink that contained B. lactis, twice a day for four weeks improved gastrointestinal well-being and reduced digestive symptoms significantly. Yoplait Yo-plus, Dannon Activia and Activia light contain B. lactis bacteria.
References
- AskDrSears.com: Lactobacillus GG
- "Annals of Medicine"; Effect of Lactobacillus GG Yoghurt in Prevention of Antibiotic Associated Diarrhoea; S. Siitonen, et al.; 1990
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Lactobacillus acidophilus
- "Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering"; Effects of a probiotic fermented milk beverage containing Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota on defecation frequency, intestinal microbiota, and the intestinal environment of healthy individuals with soft stools; K. Matsumoto, et al.; 2010
- "British Journal of Nutirtion"; Fermented milk containing Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173 010 improves gastrointestinal well-being and digestive symptoms in women reporting minor digestive symptoms: a randomised, double-blind, parallel, controlled study; D. Guyonnet, et al.; 2009
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