Should probiotics be taken with food
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Should Probiotics Be Taken with Food?
Introduction to Probiotics and Their Benefits
Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when consumed in adequate amounts, confer health benefits to the host. They are commonly found in fermented foods like yogurt, cheese, and other dairy products, as well as in dietary supplements 34. Probiotics are known to improve intestinal health, enhance the immune system, and reduce symptoms of lactose intolerance, among other benefits 35.
Probiotics and Food: A Synergistic Relationship
Food as a Carrier for Probiotics
Foods serve as carriers for delivering probiotics to the human body. They help buffer the probiotics through the gastrointestinal tract, regulate their colonization, and contain other functional ingredients that may interact with probiotics to enhance their efficacy . The physico-chemical properties of food carriers can significantly affect the growth and survival of probiotics during gastric transit .
Impact of Food Ingredients on Probiotic Efficacy
The presence of food ingredients can influence the tolerance of probiotics to gastric acid, juices, and bile, as well as their adherence to the gastrointestinal epithelium . Different food ingredients can alter the functional and technological properties of the same probiotic strains, potentially affecting their health benefits . Prebiotic food ingredients, which are non-digestible, can further encourage the growth of probiotic bacteria, creating a synergistic effect when combined with probiotics 15.
Probiotic Foods vs. Supplements
Efficacy of Probiotic Foods
Probiotic foods, such as fermented dairy products, have been traditionally used to deliver probiotics. These foods not only provide a medium for the probiotics but also contain additional nutrients and bioactive components that can enhance the probiotics' functionality 23. The combination of probiotics with food ingredients can lead to a higher potential for a synergistic effect, improving the overall efficacy of the probiotics 15.
Limitations of Probiotic Supplements
While probiotic supplements are convenient and widely used, they may not offer the same level of efficacy as probiotic foods. The exclusion of food components in supplements can lead to a reduction in the functional efficacy of the probiotics 12. Moreover, the stress conditions encountered by probiotics during the manufacturing process, storage, and ingestion can compromise their viability and health potential .
Conclusion
Taking probiotics with food appears to be more beneficial than consuming them as supplements alone. Foods act as effective carriers, buffering the probiotics through the gastrointestinal tract and providing additional nutrients and bioactive components that enhance their efficacy. The synergistic relationship between probiotics and food ingredients can significantly improve the health benefits of probiotics. Therefore, for optimal results, it is advisable to consume probiotics in conjunction with food.
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