Boost Gut Health With Yogurts That Contain Lactobacillus Acidophilus

Eating yogurt is a simple way to add calcium and protein to your day. It’s also a great grab-and-go snack when you need a quick pick-me-up.

While the dietary benefits are plentiful, yogurt with Lactobacillus, one of the most commonly used probiotics, may also boost your overall health.

Benefits of Yogurt With Lactobacillus

The genus Lactobacillus is one of the most common bacteria classified as a probiotic, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements, a part of the National Institutes of Health.

Probiotics promote the growth of “good” bacteria through fermented foods like yogurt and over-the-counter supplements.

And when good bacteria or live cultures are present, Cleveland Clinic says their presence may change or repopulate intestinal bacteria to balance gut flora. This also creates an environment that’s not suitable for harmful bacteria.

Basically, probiotics may have a positive impact on your overall health, especially gastrointestinal health.

More specifically, Cleveland Clinic points to the role probiotics play in managing the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Additionally, probiotics show promise in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea and inducing or maintaining remission of ulcerative colitis.

However, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health stresses that in general, researchers still don’t know which probiotics are helpful and which are not. Plus, it’s still not known how much you would need to take in a supplement or consume from foods to get the most health benefits.

But the good news is probiotics are generally safe for healthy people, although you may experience some bloating or gas as your body adjusts to them.

If you have a condition that suppresses your immune system or are chronically ill, ask a doctor before increasing your intake of probiotics. Do not give them to premature infants, either.

The Office of Dietary Supplements notes that probiotics are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Choosing Yogurt With Lactobacillus Acidophilus

When it comes to shopping for yogurt with Lactobacillus, the number of products to choose from is extensive.

In general, most yogurts contain probiotics, but if you want yogurt with L. acidophilus, the International Dairy Foods Association recommends looking for its “Live and Active Cultures (LAC)” seal.

Buying a yogurt with Lactobacillus and the LAC seal ensures you are eating refrigerated yogurt that contains at least 100 million cultures per gram at the time of manufacture or frozen yogurt that has 10 million cultures per gram.

Several brands meet the LAC criteria, which means you should be able to find one you like.

Before you grab a spoon and dig in, check the sugar and protein content. When choosing a yogurt, Harvard Health Publishing recommends sticking with one that is plain or low in added sugar.

Additionally, check the label for protein and go with one that has 5 grams or more of protein per serving. Many yogurt companies now offer Greek-style yogurt, which is a great choice if you want some extra protein.

Don’t like the taste of yogurt or want additional probiotic foods to add to your diet? Kefir (a fermented drink similar to yogurt), some sauerkraut, kombucha, kimchi, and miso all contain probiotics.

Cleveland Clinic recommends eating probiotic foods over taking supplements, as they appear to be more effective.