Are all yogurts probiotic
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Are All Yogurts Probiotic?
Yogurt is widely recognized as a health-promoting food, often associated with the delivery of probiotics. However, not all yogurts qualify as probiotic products. This article explores the distinctions between regular and probiotic yogurts, the criteria for probiotic classification, and the health benefits associated with probiotic yogurts.
Definition and Criteria for Probiotic Yogurt
Probiotic Yogurt Quality and Regulatory Framework
Probiotic yogurts are defined by their content of live microorganisms that confer health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. For a yogurt to be classified as probiotic, it must contain specific strains of bacteria at levels above the recommended therapeutic minimum throughout its shelf life1. Regulatory frameworks across different regions stipulate these criteria to ensure that probiotic claims are substantiated by clinical evidence and proper enumeration of probiotic strains1.
Survival and Viability of Probiotic Strains
The viability of probiotic strains in yogurt is crucial for their health benefits. Studies have shown that the survival of probiotic bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium species can vary significantly during storage. For instance, the viability of L. acidophilus can fall below the therapeutic minimum in some yogurts, whereas the addition of fruit juice can enhance the survival of these bacteria3. Probiotic yogurts must maintain viable counts of these beneficial bacteria to be effective2 3.
Health Benefits of Probiotic Yogurt
Impact on Gastrointestinal Health
Probiotic yogurts are known to improve gastrointestinal health by maintaining a healthy balance of gut microbiota. The inclusion of specific probiotic strains such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in yogurt can enhance mucin production and probiotic adhesion to colon epithelial cells, thereby strengthening the intestinal barrier and promoting gut health6.
Antioxidant and Glycemic Control
Probiotic yogurts have been shown to improve antioxidant status and glycemic control, particularly in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Clinical trials have demonstrated that consuming probiotic yogurt can significantly decrease fasting blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c levels, while also enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities7. However, meta-analyses suggest that more extensive trials are needed to confirm these benefits conclusively9.
Immune System Support
Probiotic yogurts can also bolster the immune system. For example, yogurt supplemented with Lactobacillus paracasei has been found to reduce the incidence of acute upper respiratory tract infections in elderly individuals by enhancing T-cell-mediated immune responses10.
Conclusion
While yogurt is a nutritious food, not all yogurts are probiotic. Probiotic yogurts must meet specific criteria, including the presence of live, beneficial bacteria at therapeutic levels throughout their shelf life. These yogurts offer various health benefits, such as improved gastrointestinal health, better glycemic control, enhanced antioxidant status, and stronger immune defenses. Consumers should look for yogurts labeled as containing specific probiotic strains to ensure they are getting the associated health benefits.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Invited review: Probiotic yogurt quality criteria, regulatory framework, clinical evidence, and analytical aspects.
This review highlights the need for convincing clinical trial outcomes, regulatory frameworks, and methodological approaches to determine probiotic strain viability in functional probiotic yogurts.
Literature Review
Rigorous Journal
Highly CitedYogurt as probiotic carrier food
Yogurt, as a probiotic carrier food, effectively improves human gastrointestinal microecology and is a promising food product for incorporating probiotic microorganisms.
Literature ReviewHighly CitedProbiotic viability and physico-chemical and sensory properties of plain and stirred fruit yogurts made from goat's milk.
Probiotic fruit yogurts made from goat's milk with fruit juice maintain higher probiotic viability, improved physico-chemical properties, and enhanced sensory acceptability.
Highly CitedProbiotic Incorporation into Yogurt and Various Novel Yogurt-Based Products
Probiotics can be added to yogurt for health benefits, and various techniques can be used to ensure their survival and provide benefits throughout the product's shelf-life and gastrointestinal tract.
Bioactive properties of probiotic set-yogurt supplemented with Siraitia grosvenorii fruit extract.
SGF extract supplementation in probiotic yogurt improves its bioactivity and nutritional value, with 2% showing the highest antioxidant, ACE-I, and antibacterial activities.
Highly CitedQuality characteristics of yogurts fermented with short-chain fatty acid-producing probiotics and their effects on mucin production and probiotic adhesion onto human colon epithelial cells.
Acetate-rich yogurts with probiotics improve intestinal epithelium protection by increasing mucin production and probiotic adhesion to colon epithelial cells.
In Vitro StudyRigorous JournalProbiotic yogurt improves antioxidant status in type 2 diabetic patients.
Probiotic yogurt improves fasting blood glucose and antioxidant status in type 2 diabetic patients, suggesting it as a promising agent for diabetes management.
RCTHighly CitedProbiotic viability and storage stability of yogurts and fermented milks prepared with several mixtures of lactic acid bacteria.
Probiotic yogurts and fermented milks with Lactobacillus casei show better acceptance and longer storage stability, but all strains lose viability during storage.
Rigorous JournalHighly CitedThe Effect of Probiotic Yogurt on Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes or Obesity: A Meta-Analysis of Nine Randomized Controlled Trials
Probiotic yogurt does not show significant benefits compared to conventional yogurt for improving glucose control in patients with diabetes or obesity.
Meta-Analysis
Very Rigorous JournalHighly CitedYogurt supplemented with probiotics can protect the healthy elderly from respiratory infections: A randomized controlled open-label trial
Yogurt supplemented with probiotic strains like N1115 may reduce the risk of acute upper respiratory tract infections in the elderly, potentially by enhancing T-cell-mediated natural immune defense.
RCTVery Rigorous JournalHighly Cited