Constipation is a condition in which you pass bowel movements infrequently or have trouble passing your stool. Over time, constipation can cause bloating, gas and pain that can be uncomfortable and lead to more serious conditions. While Activia yogurt does not promise to be a miracle cure for constipation, it does contain probiotics, which are forms of bacteria that promote digestive health. While the manufacturer does not claim Activia relieves constipation, it is unlikely to cause constipation.
Active Ingredients
Your body relies on healthy bacteria living in your intestines to break down nutrients in foods. Without enough healthy bacteria, you can experience adverse side effects, including constipation. Activia yogurts include a proprietary bacteria culture called Bifidus Regularis, according to the company’s website. These bacteria reportedly move through your digestive tract, remaining in your large intestine to potentially provide beneficial effects. The yogurt is intended to promote a “well-functioning digestive system,” according to the company’s website. Some physicians recommend probiotics to help treat irritable bowel syndrome and diarrhea.
Controversy
Activia is linked with constipation because initial company claims said probiotics in Activia yogurt help to eliminate gastrointestinal problems such as constipation, according to CBS News. However, the company did not use third-party studies but backed its claims with research from its own facilities. As a result, the Federal Trade Commission stated that Activia made unsubstantiated claims about its products and their benefits, and Activia settled with regulators for $21 million.
Activia Statement
On their product website, Activia manufacturers make the following statement concerning the yogurt and constipation: “Activia is not a medication -- it is a yogurt with natural cultures called Bifidus Regularis; it helps naturally regulate your digestive system,” according to the company’s website. “It does not cure or prevent constipation, which is a medical condition.”
Lactose Intolerance
While Activia yogurt should not typically cause constipation, there may be an exception if you are lactose intolerant. Like most dairy products, Activia contains lactose. If your body lacks a digestive enzyme to break down lactose, you could experience constipation, bloating, gas or diarrhea, which are all symptoms of a condition known as lactose intolerance. If you experience these or other symptoms associated with digestive upset between 30 minutes and two hours after eating Activia, you might be having symptoms of lactose intolerance, according to PubMed Health. Talk to your physician to determine whether yogurt or other dairy products are a problem for you.
