PROBIOTIC BENEFITS FROM YOGHURT IN DIGESTIVE TRACT

Probiotic yoghurt is a fermented dairy product with live beneficial bacteria, the common strains being Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Their basic function is to improve microbial diversity in the gut, modulate immune responses, support beneficial metabolite production, promote gut barrier function and stimulate beneficial metabolic pathways. The gut microbiota in general consist of trillions of microorganisms with functions in digestion, immune modulation and vitamin synthesis. They are influenced by diet, antibiotics, age and lifestyle and disruptions to their composition are linked to diseases (e.g., IBS, obesity, depression). As a result, there is a growing interest in dietary strategies to modulate the microbiota towards a more beneficial composition. The study cited, in concert, had the aim to assess the effects of regular consumption of probiotic yoghurt on gut health and selected health outcomes in overweight and obese women.

Thirty healthy women aged 25-55 were assigned into two groups in a randomised, placebo-controlled experiment. Over 12 weeks the test group consumed daily 100ml probiotic yoghurt containing 10⁸ – 10¹¹ CFU/ml Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG and Bifidobacterium animalis subspp. Lactis, whereas the Control group consumed 100ml non-probiotic yoghurt daily. Faecal material was collected before yoghurt consumption (day 0; baseline) and after 12 weeks. Microbial DNA was extracted and sequenced through amplicon and metagenome methodology.

A summary of the key results revealed that the probiotic yoghurt improved the gut microbiota diversity and the test group experienced significant improvement in digestive comfort compared to the Control group.

It was concluded that probiotic yoghurt may support gut and immune health and should be considered as part of a healthy diet.