What is probiotic yogurt? Discover the health benefits, how it’s made, and what to look for when choosing a probiotic yogurt. Dive into the world of gut-friendly probiotics and explore the role they play in overall wellness.

Understanding Probiotic Yogurt: The Gut-Friendly Superfood

Yogurt has been a staple food for centuries, enjoyed by cultures around the world. But in recent years, probiotic yogurt has emerged as a true superstar in the world of gut health and overall wellness. So, what exactly is probiotic yogurt, and what makes it so special?

Probiotic yogurt is a type of yogurt that contains live, beneficial bacteria known as probiotics. These probiotics, such as Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus, are added to the yogurt during the fermentation process, providing a host of health benefits to the consumer.

The History and Origins of Probiotic Yogurt

Yogurt-making is an ancient art, with evidence of its existence dating back thousands of years. In ancient India, yogurt was considered a food for the gods, while in ancient Greece and Rome, it was enjoyed as a lavish treat known as Oxygala.

Over the centuries, yogurt has been crafted from a variety of milk sources, from ewe to goat to buffalo and cow. As the popularity of yogurt has grown, so too has the understanding of the role that probiotics play in human health.

Probiotics: The Gut-Friendly Bacteria

When we think of bacteria, our initial reaction is often one of disgust or fear. However, it may come as a surprise that many types of bacteria are actually beneficial to our health, and we have about a trillion of them living in our gut right now.

These beneficial bacteria, known as probiotics, have been shown to have a range of positive effects on our bodies, from improving lactose digestion to supporting overall gut health.

The Probiotic Difference: What Sets Probiotic Yogurt Apart?

Not all yogurts are created equal when it comes to probiotics. While all yogurt is made using friendly bacteria that help ferment the milk, such as Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus, not all yogurts contain the minimum quantity of these cultures to be considered probiotic-containing products.

To be classified as a probiotic yogurt, the quantity of these two cultures must reach a minimum of 108 CFU/g. Some products may not meet this threshold, so it’s important to check the label when choosing a probiotic yogurt.

Activia: The Creamy, Probiotic-Packed Yogurt

One of the leading probiotic yogurt brands on the market is Activia. Activia is known for its creamy texture, thanks to the slow fermentation process at a gentle 37°C for hours on end. But what sets Activia apart is its high probiotic content, with billions of live probiotics in every pot.

Activia’s probiotic-packed formula makes it a great choice for those looking to support their gut health and overall wellness. Whether enjoyed on its own or incorporated into smoothies, granola bowls, and other recipes, Activia is a delicious and convenient way to get your daily dose of probiotics.

Choosing the Right Probiotic Yogurt: What to Look For

With so many yogurt options on the market, it can be challenging to know which one is the best choice for probiotic benefits. When selecting a probiotic yogurt, look for the following:

• A minimum of 108 CFU/g of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus
• A variety of probiotic strains, such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus
• Minimal added sugars or artificial sweeteners
• Live and active cultures listed on the label

By keeping these factors in mind, you can be confident that you’re choosing a probiotic yogurt that will deliver the gut-healthy benefits you’re looking for.

Incorporating Probiotic Yogurt into Your Diet

To reap the full benefits of probiotic yogurt, it’s important to make it a regular part of your diet. Whether you enjoy it as a breakfast staple, a midday snack, or a sweet treat, incorporating probiotic yogurt into your routine can support your overall health and wellness.

From weight management to reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, the potential benefits of probiotic yogurt are wide-ranging. So, why not make it a part of your balanced, gut-friendly diet today?

What is Probiotic Yogurt?

Probiotic yogurt: what is it & what are the health benefits?  

Yogurt is by no means a new food and yogurt-making is an art that goes way back into the Neolithic age around 5000 – 10000 years ago. It has a long (and interesting!) history of existence – considered as food for the gods in ancient India and consumed as lavish Oxygala in ancient Greece and Rome. And then there’s a whole array of different milks for crafting yogurts – from ewe to goat to buffalo and cow.

With yogurts recently becoming synonymous with “probiotic”, it’s important that we ask, “What is probiotic yogurt?” Well, it is a yogurt that contains probiotics, which are live micro-organisms that when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host (WHO/FAO). But beware, while all yogurts are made using live bacteria cultures, not all of them can be considered as ‘probiotics.’

Let’s talk about probiotics

What comes to mind when you think of bacteria? Probably nothing pleasant! So, you may find it surprising that many types of bacteria are actually good for you, and there’s about a trillion of them living in your gut right now!

Some of the bacteria that are good for you are known as probiotics, and these comprise different strains of bacteria that have proven health effects when consumed in adequate quantities.  

A yogurt with probiotic is simply one that contains an adequate quantity of certain living bacteria strains such as Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus. These live cultures in yogurt or fermented milk improve lactose digestion of the product in individuals who have difficulty digesting lactose, helping us feel more comfortable on the inside. So “YAY!” to yogurt with probiotics becoming a part of your daily health support choices and balanced diets – let’s reap those benefits of yogurt with probiotics!

Are ALL yogurts probiotic?

All yogurt is made using friendly bacteria that help ferment the milk – Streptococcus
thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus. Fermentation of the milk into yogurt occurred naturally for centuries, with different sets of lactic acid bacteria present in each environment. Nowadays, the process is controlled, and exact quantities of ferments are inoculated into each production batch.

To classify a yogurt as yogurt with probiotics, the quantity of these two cultures is pivotal. Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus must reach a minimum quantity of 108 CFU/g to attain the probiotic status. Some products don’t meet these quantities and are therefore not classed as probiotic-containing products. But Activia is crammed with billions of live probiotics in every pot and is undoubtedly a yogurt with probiotics [1]. 

The easiest way to enjoy yogurt with probiotics

Activia is easily the tastiest way to enjoy a yogurt with probiotics. Activia is lusciously creamy, thanks to the slow fermentation at a gentle 37°C for hours on end and Danone’s expertise of more than three decades. You can enjoy it directly from the pot or add it to a wide variety of recipes, including delicious smoothies and granola bowls!

If you’re always on-the-go, you can still pump up the probiotics with Activia’s Breakfast Pots. These are convenient mixes of cereals and yogurt with probiotics. 

The bottom line 

If you’re looking for a yogurt with probiotics, Activia ticks all the boxes, offering great taste and probiotics. Just remember, to reap those benefits of yogurt with probiotics, you have to make it a regular part of your diet: so, whether it’s a delicious way to start a day or a tasty dessert to sweeten your evening, our yogurts are a great option for flavour with billions of probiotics. Bon Appetit! 

*Yogurts that contain at least 108 CFU/g of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus.

[1] Activia contains live cultures in yogurt or fermented milk that improve lactose digestion of the product in individuals who have difficulty digesting lactose.

Probiotic yogurt: A guide

Yogurt is often recognized as good food to include in the diet because of its link to numerous health benefits, such as weight management and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Lately, this natural food has gained greater popularity, due to its probiotic content and the growing interest in the role of probiotics in overall health. This has led to a boom in the variety of yogurt products available, and it can be challenging for us as shoppers to know which yogurt has the added benefits we’re looking for. If you’re interested in learning about probiotics in yogurt and what to look for when choosing yogurt in the store, look no further.

Is yogurt a probiotic food?

Yes, yogurt is a probiotic food. Yogurt is a fermented food that’s made by adding live microbes to pasteurized cow’s milk. There are also yogurts that are made by using different bases for fermentation, such as goat and sheep milk, as well as milk alternatives like soy, coconut and almond. However, what qualifies a food as yogurt is not the base that is fermented—it’s the bacteria used to ferment that are important.

For a food to meet the standards of identity for yogurt, it must be made using the bacteria Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus. These cultures feed off the base they are added to, and as they reproduce and grow in number, they thicken. This results in the recognizable creamy texture and creates the classic tangy, sour flavor of yogurt.

These friendly bacteria are also what make yogurt a probiotic food. Both Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus are probiotics, which may help your body digest lactose (the natural sugar in milk and milk products). They may also help reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), as well as several other digestion-related conditions.

After these cultures are added to the milk, or other food bases, and the fermenting process is complete, the product doesn’t go through any more processing that could damage the microbes. So the friendly bugs are usually still alive when you bring the yogurt home from the store. Because most yogurt contains live, active and beneficial microbes, it’s considered a probiotic food. Yogurt also provides many of the essential nutrients your body needs to be healthy, such as protein, calcium, B vitamins, phosphorus and zinc.

Are there any other probiotics in
yogurt?

While yogurt must be made by using the two bacteria mentioned above, yogurt manufacturers can include additional bacteria in their yogurt products. Different combinations of bacteria, in addition to other ingredients like fruit and sugar, all contribute to the various flavors, consistencies and health benefits of yogurts that we find in the dairy aisle. For example, many yogurt-making companies will add Lactobacillus acidophilus to their products because of its potential health benefits, which may include helping with specific types of diarrhea and bacterial vaginosis (a type of vaginal inflammation). Some additional health benefits of this culture that are still being researched include:

• Improving symptoms of lactose intolerance
• Restoring a healthy balance of good and bad gut microbiota (all the normal microorganisms that live in your gut)
• Reducing cholesterol levels
• Lowering the risk of colon cancer
• Reducing the risk of gastrointestinal ulcers
• Assisting with the management of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection

Does
all yogurt have probiotics?

No, not all yogurt contains probiotics, although most do.

The good bacteria in yogurt must be alive at high enough levels to provide a potential health benefit. Some yogurt products are heat-treated after the culturing process, which damages or destroys the microbes. Yogurts are processed this way in order to provide for a longer shelf life.

Manufacturers will usually say on their labels if probiotics are in the yogurt (listing the specific strains on the ingredients list). You might also see a “Live and Active Cultures” seal on packages. This voluntary seal can go on yogurt products that meet specific criteria indicating a significant amount of live and active cultures are present at the time the yogurt is produced.

Does Greek yogurt have probiotics?

Yes, most Greek yogurt contains probiotics, as it’s made in the same way as regular yogurt, using the same strands of cultures.

The major difference between Greek yogurt and regular yogurt is that it’s strained three times (removing more liquid) instead of two times with regular yogurt. This creates a thicker, creamier texture, and a product with higher protein and less sugar content.

Like regular yogurt, some brands apply heat to their Greek yogurt products after the live cultures have been added, destroying the microbes.

What are the key things I should consider when choosing probiotic yogurt in the store?

The three main things to consider when choosing probiotic yogurt are:

• Whether there are live active cultures. When it comes to getting probiotics from yogurt, this is the first thing you should look for. If there are significant enough levels of probiotics in a yogurt, the container will most often indicate it on the label.
• Which probiotics are present. The more cultures that are listed, the more variants of probiotics are present in the yogurt. Since each probiotic is linked to its own set of potential health benefits, receiving a mix of various probiotics may provide added benefits. Alternatively, if you’re looking to receive a specific health benefit from probiotics, choose yogurts that have the bacteria that are associated with that particular health benefit.
• Sugar content. Many yogurts will have added sugars to offset the product’s tartness. While a small amount of sugar can help make the taste of yogurt more pleasant, and therefore, make it easier for us to eat this healthy food, we should limit added sugars to less than 10% of our total daily calories.

Choosing yogurts with lower levels of sugar, such as plain yogurts, or yogurts that are sweetened naturally with fruit are great options. Another way to better control sugar intake when it comes to yogurt is to buy plain-flavored yogurts and add your own sweetener from sources like honey or fresh fruit.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed in the yogurt aisle, look first at whether the label indicates that there are live active cultures, and second, look for lower sugar options. Yogurt is one of the most reliable, safe and affordable sources of probiotics. Better still, all the varieties of flavor mean there will be something for everyone in the family to enjoy.

Published September 2021.

Sources:

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32447398/
2. https://isappscience.org/for-scientists/resources/probiotics/
3. https://fsi.colostate.edu/yogurt/
4. https://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(20)34729-6/fulltext?referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2F
5. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=19&contentid=Lactobacillus
6. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm
7. https://www.idfa.org/live-active-cultures-seal
8. https://isappscience.org/for-consumers/learn/faqs/#toggle-id-3

Not all yogurts are the same – useful articles Activia

Fermented milk products have a long history – the origin of yogurt dates back to the Neolithic era (about 5-10 thousand years ago). In ancient India, yogurt was considered food for the gods, and the ancient Greeks and Romans often ate a variety of yogurt called oxygalu (xinogalu). And do not forget that fermented milk products were made not only from cow’s milk – after all, there is also the milk of sheep, goats and even buffaloes.

Recently, the words “yogurt” and “probiotic” have become synonymous, although they are not. Let’s figure it out: what is probiotic yogurt?
Let’s start with probiotics.

Let’s talk about probiotics?

What associations do you have with the word “bacteria”? Probably nothing pleasant.
In fact, many kinds of bacteria are beneficial—and there are about a trillion of them living in your gut right now! Some bacteria that are beneficial to our body are called probiotics.

The WHO official definition is “probiotics are live micro-organisms that are beneficial to humans when administered in adequate amounts”.

However, not all microorganisms found in yogurt are probiotics, and therefore not every yogurt can be considered probiotic yogurt.

Do all yoghurts contain probiotics?

True probiotic yogurt, in addition to lactic acid cultures of thermophilic streptococcus and coli bulgaricus, must contain probiotic microorganisms.

Activia contains probiotic microorganisms – bifidobacteria Actiregularis, thanks to which Activia has a positive effect on the functioning of the intestines and helps improve digestion. That’s why we feel so good when we eat probiotic yogurt. 97 cfu/g microorganisms. Otherwise, a fermented milk product cannot even be called yogurt.

Activia is more than just “probiotic-enriched yogurt”. Each jar of Activia contains billions of bifidobacteria Actiregularis, which is 1000 (!) times more than the minimum required value for all fermented milk products. Bifidobacteria in Activia are special – they survive passing through the gastrointestinal tract and bring proven benefits to the body. The effectiveness of Activia has been confirmed by 17 clinical studies – that’s why Activia is without a doubt a probiotic yogurt.

Activia – the easy and delicious way to enjoy probiotic yogurt

Activia yogurts have an amazingly creamy taste – thanks to a long slow fermentation at 37°C, a carefully selected unique combination of bacteria and over 30 years of Danone experience. You can eat yogurt straight out of the jar, or you can add it to a wide variety of dishes, from smoothies to muesli!

And if you are short on time, you can get your portion of probiotics from Activia “For Breakfast” curd and yoghurt. Each such jar of Activia is a combination of tender cottage cheese, delicious yogurt and the benefits of probiotics.

So

Choose Activia if you need probiotic yogurt. And to get the most out of probiotics, make Activia a regular part of your diet.

Choose for yourself whether it’s delicious to start the day with Activia or enjoy a smooth yoghurt in the evening… Whatever you choose, our products are the perfect combination of taste and digestive benefits. Bon appetit!

how do they work and what effect do they have?

Do probiotics work?

The very name “probiotics” – pro bios – means “for life”. This term was first used in the middle of the 20th century – and until now, scientists continue to understand how probiotics work and what effect they have. 7 CFU / g of bifidobacteria. These are whole billions of probiotics that have a beneficial effect on the body – the effectiveness of Activia has been proven in clinical studies.

Creating yogurt: the moment when probiotics flourish

For milk to become yogurt, lacto-fermentation must occur. The amount of lactose in milk naturally decreases – and these are ideal conditions for probiotics.

Lactic fermentation starts with lactic acid bacteria: they absorb lactose and form lactic acid. This is how yogurt gets its taste – special, slightly sour. And these conditions are also ideal for probiotics – the very microorganisms that are so useful for our digestion.

Activia yoghurts are especially good for probiotics, because the fermentation process takes several hours! In this case, the main work is performed not by one type, but by a whole unique mixture of lactic acid bacteria! Add to that a lower fermentation temperature of 37°C instead of the usual 43-46°C and you have Activia, the ideal medium for billions of live cultures.

What’s inside?

Gut health professionals are actively investigating how certain strains of probiotics promote better digestion. Activia has been shown to reduce the feeling of bloating and improve bowel function – and promote general well-being. The effectiveness of Activia is confirmed by 17 clinical studies – that’s why Activia is without any doubt a probiotic yogurt.

That’s not all: yoghurt starter cultures have been shown to help digest lactose. This is very important for people with a deficiency of the lactase enzyme. Normally, lactase (an enzyme) is produced in the human intestine and must break down lactose (milk sugar). When the enzyme is lacking, it is difficult for a person to digest dairy products.

In this way, Activia with live beneficial microorganisms helps a comfortable digestion. Activia with bifidobacteria Actiregularis helps to reduce symptoms of intestinal discomfort, and lactic acid bacteria facilitate the digestion of lactose – and due to this, yogurts are easily digested.