However, while yogurt can provide health benefits to some degree, it simply can't be relied upon as an effective source of probiotics. There are several factors that can cause yogurt to fall short of delivering the quality of probiotics that would actually benefit your gut.
Even though the strains of naturally-occurring probiotics in yogurt are beneficial, your yogurt may simply not have enough of it to be helpful. In order to receive the full benefit of probiotic potency, you'd need to eat more than a dozen yogurts to match the potency of an adult dose of LoveBug probiotics.
Besides healthy doses of calcium and protein, yogurt is a prime source for probiotics, the "good" live bacteria and yeasts. Why are these helpful? Having a proper balance of bacteria in your gut improves digestion, blocks dangerous organisms that can cause infections, and boosts your immune system.
Vanessa Lee reports on a close look by scientists at the dose of probiotics in yogurt and whether it's beneficial to consumers. Study finds 2 to 25 servings of yogurt per day would need to be consumed to offer any health benefits.
Is there any harm in eating yogurt? Eating two to three containers of yogurt every day can add around 500 calories and close to 100 grams of sugar to the daily diet. This can cause unwanted weight gain and increase the risk of diabetes.
Kefir contains more probiotics than any yogurt. With up to 61 different strains of microbes, it can be an excellent source of probiotics.
With the four recommended times mentioned above, the best options to consume yogurt are in the morning or on an empty stomach. This is because the good bacteria or probiotics in yogurt must reach the large intestine alive to maintain digestive efficiency and health.
Supplements are also a better choice for individuals who have allergies or other specific dietary needs. You can even take them on an empty stomach. Probiotic pills also tend to have a longer shelf life than yogurt. One disadvantage of probiotics pills is that they don't have any other minerals or nutrients to offer.
Although one serving a day of yogurt does not likely provide enough probiotics, or variety of probiotic strains, to obtain the health benefits shown in clinical research, a good quality yogurt can offer essential nutrients beyond probiotics. Yogurt is a source of protein, calcium and other minerals.
Best Probiotic Yogurt in Australia
Danone Activia is an excellent choice for those with easily upset stomachs and includes the most probiotics out of all the yoghurts I've analysed. Vaalia is another fantastic option, containing three different probiotics in every 150g serving.
Why it's good for you: A fermented food, yogurt naturally contains lots of probiotic cultures that strengthen the digestive tract. Some Greek yogurt also boasts added probiotics like Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus casei that may help increase the good bacteria in your gut.
While both Yakult and yogurt are fermented dairy products, Yakult is considered to be far much better than yogurt. The main reason is that Yakult contains a different probiotic strain than yogurt, which is acid-resistant and thus alive once it reaches the intestines, where it can confer its health benefits.
Chobani® Probiotic yogurt contains billions of probiotics and a unique combination of scientifically confirmed probiotic strains, including LGG®, made with digestive health and immune systems in mind.
Greek yogurt is starting to overtake traditional yogurt in popularity thanks to its rich flavor and thick texture. Greek yogurt has been strained to remove extra liquid and whey. The result is a thicker, denser final product with a higher concentration of protein and probiotics.
May support gut health
Research suggests that eating yogurt regularly may help support a healthy digestive system by increasing bacterial diversity in the guts of some people ( 12 ).
Regular and Greek yogurt are made from the same ingredients but differ in nutrients. While regular yogurt tends to have fewer calories and more calcium, Greek yogurt has more protein and less sugar — and a much thicker consistency. Both types pack probiotics and support digestion, weight loss, and heart health.
You can maintain the Lactobacilli population in your gut microbiota by including foods that contain this live bacteria, such as yogurt, or by consuming prebiotic dietary fibers found naturally in foods such as onions, garlic and bananas, which encourage the growth of good bacteria.
“The best time to take a probiotic is on an empty stomach,” Dr. Wallman says. For most people, that means taking a probiotic first thing in the morning (at least an hour before a meal, Dr. Wallman advises), or right before you go to sleep.
Whilst there may be a few exceptions to this rule, the general answer is yes, it's safe, and usually recommended, to take them daily. It's important to understand that probiotics are a natural supplement and not a medicine.
Vasant Lad notes that yogurt shouldn't be paired with milk. In addition to this, he also lists down a couple of everyday foods, that you may have been combining all your life with yogurt but shouldn't be! These include sour fruits, melons, fish, mango, starches, cheese and bananas.
Combining the potassium found in bananas with high protein foods like yogurt (especially Greek yogurt) helps build muscle and replenish amino acids that are depleted during exercise. So enjoy the easy-to-grab pair on your way home from the gym or add them to your post-workout smoothies.
"Eating yogurt for breakfast improves mood because yogurt maintains the microbiome which in turn sends good signals to the brain," says nutritionist Hiba Batool from Marham. Looking for even more mood boosters? Check out our list of 13 Mood-Boosting Snacks to Make Your Day Better.
Yakult is rich in good bacteria that improves overall health and helps in fighting infections. Following are some of the most significant Yakult drink benefits. Helps prevent constipation:- As per a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, probiotics slowed down the gut transit time by 12.4 hours.