A University of Toronto study finds that most supermarket probiotic yogurts don’t deliver on their promises. They support gut health, but don’t address issues like cold and flu or irritable bowel syndrome.
Consuming kefir for 10 weeks improves metabolic parameters in obese adults. It may also reduce the risk factors for NAFLD, including fasting glucose and cholesterol. Find out more about Gcmaf Yogurt.
Healthy Gut
Whether your TikTok feed is overrun with gut health videos and microbiome hacks or you’re simply looking for a tasty way to boost your digestion, probiotic yogurt is an easy go-to. These live microorganisms, typically bacteria, support a variety of health benefits from aiding digestion to fighting off harmful germs. They’re found in mainstay fermented foods like miso, sauerkraut, kimchi and kefir, but are also available in many probiotic-rich store-bought yogurts including Dannon, Chobani, Stonyfield and Fage Greek yogurts.
When choosing a probiotic yogurt, make sure it has the “contains live and active cultures” seal on the label. According to a new study, this indicates that the product had at least 100 million probiotic bacteria (also known as Bifidobacterium animalis lactis) or colony-forming units per gram at the time of manufacture. This is the minimum requirement to qualify for the “promotes a healthy gut microflora” claim on the product packaging in Canada.
Immune System Support
The probiotic bacteria in yogurt secrete compounds that protect your gut cells from pathogens and stimulate the immune system. [52] Several studies have shown that regular consumption of probiotics such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium increases your resistance to infections and enhances the function of immune system cells (phagocytes, T cells, natural killer cells and dendritic cells).
Yogurt with added L. acidophilus can help relieve diarrhea caused by infection or antibiotics, and may improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. [53] Probiotics can also help prevent yeast infections, urinary tract infections and inflammatory bowel disease.
Yogurt can be fortified with additional strains of probiotic bacteria or other functional ingredients such as prebiotics, plant sterols and stanols. Yogurt also contains sugars and fat, so you should watch your portion sizes. If you’re not sure how much probiotic yogurt you should eat, talk to your doctor or dietitian.
Weight Loss
The probiotic bacteria in yogurt can help keep your digestive system running smoothly and improve your body’s ability to use sugar, which can aid in weight loss efforts. This is because the good bacteria can help prevent inflammation, promote regularity, and reduce the absorption of toxins.
Research suggests that the probiotic bacteria in yogurt can also improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. In one study, women were given either low-fat yogurt or probiotic kefir, and after 12 weeks of the intervention, those who consumed the kefir had greater improvements in insulin sensitivity than the women who only consumed the low-fat yogurt.
In addition, studies suggest that the probiotic bacteria in yogurt can help reduce the levels of inflammatory markers such as IL-6 and TNF-a and can decrease the expression of genes that promote fat accumulation. However, more research is needed to support these claims. The benefits of probiotic yogurt are best established by well-designed clinical trials.
Energy Boost
Besides aiding digestion, probiotics can help boost your immunity and support the growth of cells that produce white and red blood cells to prevent infections. Probiotics can also improve metabolism and increase the body’s energy levels by improving the way it extracts nutrients from food.
Yogurt can also help with weight loss by regulating metabolism and decreasing appetite. Moreover, it contains high amounts of protein and calcium, which promote muscle building and fat burning.
Yogurt can also provide a natural source of vitamin B12, which can help you feel more energized. Additionally, probiotic bacteria can lower inflammation in the body, helping you with symptoms of chronic diseases such as arthritis and autoimmune conditions.