If you’ve spent any time in the yogurt section of your local supermarket lately, you might see more and more products that highlight their “live active cultures” – a nice way of saying that the yogurt is full of bacteria.

While the idea of consuming bacteria in the diet may not sound appealing, probiotic bacteria found in yogurt and other fermented dairy products can promote digestive health.

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help maintain the proper balance of the microorganisms (called flora) that live in your digestive tract.  Your digestive system is home to hundreds of types of probiotics, and these helpful bacteria keep the growth of other, potentially harmful, bacteria at bay – thus promoting healthy digestion.

The bacteria in your system also help to break down foods that are resistant to normal digestion, allowing you to obtain more nutrients from your foods.  In the process, gas is produced – but we have other gas-guzzling bacteria that keep its production in check.  So, a healthy balance of these various intestinal ‘bugs’ is key to a well-functioning digestive tract.

One of the most common strains of probiotic bacteria that reside in your intestines is Lactobacillus acidophilus, which is found in yogurt.  When you eat yogurt that has ‘active, live cultures’ (the label will tell you), you can be assured that you are consuming this healthy probiotic.

Written by Susan Bowerman, MS, RD, CSSD. Susan is a paid consultant for Herbalife.

11 Responses to “Yogurt & probiotics promote digestive health”

1. Pushlok Consultants says:

   May 2, 2013 at 11:01 am

   I love the information. During my childhood My grandmother’s mother used to insist me to eat yoghurt so that my digestion be strong, my mind be sharp.
   At present as well I love to eat yoghurt for best nutrition and digestion.
2. Yogurt & probiotics promote digestive health says:

   April 28, 2013 at 4:27 pm

   [...] [...]
3. Cave Boy says:

   January 5, 2013 at 10:24 am

   Have a look in the stores, almost ALLyogurt is low fat or fat free. Try and find a full cream yogurt, it’s nearly impossible!
   But still, 60% of everyone is obese. Clearly its not the fat making us fat! #fatphobia
4. George says:

   December 30, 2012 at 5:25 pm

   Kefir is also an excellent source of probiotic.
5. Margarita Terry says:

   October 12, 2012 at 5:37 pm

   Excellent herraminentas para mis demostraciones ,mis clients adoran el YOGURT
   I ove this tips thanks there are to many good sources e information

   Gracias .
6. balaji says:

   October 2, 2012 at 12:12 am

   Very Good Information
7. Dr shahzad alam says:

   May 27, 2012 at 4:50 am

   very very thanks for this useful post
8. Health Product Reviews says:

   December 9, 2010 at 2:44 pm

   I love to eat yogurt. When I was young, me parents told me that yogurt is good for digestion. It helps to combat the bacteria in your intestine too.
9. Phylicia Bordges says:

   November 11, 2010 at 10:42 am

   Detailed article can i have your permision to translate into Dutch for our blogs readers? Thanks
10. free style bmx says:

    June 9, 2010 at 12:45 pm

    Thanks ! Supper Post !!
11. veterinary technician says:

    May 19, 2010 at 9:37 pm

    this post is very usefull thx!