The solution for many digestive problems should be probiotic yogurt. But is he really better than conventional yogurt? We show you what is in probiotic yogurt.
So -called probiotic yogurt is a yogurt that is moved with special probiotic lactic acid bacteria. Basically, every yogurt contains bacterial cultures: they are there to ferment the milk sugar – the lactose – in the milk so that yogurt is created. The microorganisms give the yogurt its viscous consistency and the typical sour yogurt taste.
The difference between “normal” and probiotic yogurt is that the latter is enriched with additional living bacterial strains. This should make him healthier: This is because more bacteria can survive your stomach acid and settle in your intestine.
That should have a positive effect on health. But manufacturers of “probiotic” yogurt is prohibited to advertise with some health promises, for example that “probiotic” yogurts would have a positive effect on the immune system. Because many of the alleged effects on health have not yet been proven. Various studies show ambiguous results. So how much truth is really behind the advertising promises?
Does probiotic yogurt actually work?
Probiotic foods should prevent various intestinal diseases and ensure a healthy intestinal flora. But do the bacterial cultures from the probiotic yogurt really get into your intestine? And stay there?
Scientists: The inside is split on this topic:
According to a study with healthy women between the ages of 20 and 30, probiotic yogurt should not have a long -term effect on your intestinal flora: the bacterial cultures from the yogurt did not demonstrate the composition of the microorganisms in the intestine.
Laboratory caves that are raised in a germ -free environment can be better analyzed by precisely determinable bacterial cultures than people whose intestinal flora is influenced by countless factors throughout their lives. However, even in mice, no probiotic yoghurt cultures in the intestine could be detected in the same study.
However, the bacteria from the probiotic yogurt had a different positive effect on the intestinal microbes of the mice: the enzymes that are responsible for processing various carbohydrates were much more active. This effect was also shown in humans after further tests. Probiotic yogurt may help digest carbohydrates better.
Probiotic yogurt: what does he really bring?
For healthy people, eating probiotic yoghurts does not bring any health benefits, according to the consumer center with reference to the previous investigations by the European Food Safety Authority, EFSA.
EFSA sees an effect of probiotic foods in people who have problems with lactose digestion due to lactose intolerance. If yoghurt is sufficiently enriched with living cultures, he can carry the advertising “promotes lactose digestion”. For three special tribes of lactic acid bacteria, EFSA sees this effect as proven, according to the AOK.
Probiotic bacteria may also help in the context of therapy for inflammatory bowel diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome. In such cases, after medical advice, an approved probiotic medicine is used – no probiotic yogurt or probiotic nutritional supplement.
Probiotic or conventional yogurt?
Is it absolutely necessary to consume probiotic yogurt? Or does “normal” yogurt have similar effects? Since both varieties are made with lactic acid bacterial cultures, both “probiotic” yogurt and natural yogurt are good for your intestinal flora.
According to an ecotest examination from 2010, conventional natural yoghurts contained significantly less sugar than so-called “probiotic” yogurt. Many products have been added to a large amount of sugar for additional taste. It is also not necessary to eat probiotic yogurt because it is not healthier than conventional natural yogurt. But if you swear by the probiotic cultures, you should eat the yogurt as quickly as possible: According to Ökotest, the number of healthy germs decreases steadily over time.
If you are lactose intolerant, you can also use Kefir: Due to the fermentation process, Kefir is largely lactose -free.
If you eat vegan, but still do not want to do without intestinal-friendly yogurt, you can simply use soy or coconut yoghurt. Lactic acid bacteria are also used for their fermentation.
Revised by Annika Reketat
Read more on utopia.de:
- Vegan yogurt: recipe for homemade milk -free yogurt
- Make yogurt yourself – simple guidance for creamy yogurt
- Inspire digestion: help these natural home remedies
** marked with ** or orange underlined Links to sources of supply are partially partner links: If you buy here, you will actively support Techzle\.com, because we will then receive a small part of the sales proceeds. More information.