Consider yogurt, the best-known probiotic. The consumption of yogurt increases the population of one of the good bacteria, bifidobacteria, living inside our intestines, and suppresses the growth of Clostridium perfringens and other bad bacteria, thereby achieving a good balance in our intestinal microbiota while improving the intestinal environment within. This function of probiotics is tangible, as you notice less putrefactive metabolites in your stool, which cause odor. Because the lactic acid and acetic acid produced by the bifidobacteria that inhabit our intestines stimulate and promote peristaltic movement, your stool regularity improves. This has also been proved to be effective in preventing colorectal cancer and breast cancer. If a food product is officially certified as having the function of regulating intestinal activity and condition, all of these points can be stated on the label.

It is now widely recognized among various probiotics-related academic societies that probiotics offer the following additional benefits, although the government has yet to approve them for labeling purposes.

• ●As probiotics facilitate the bonding of calcium and lactic acid, the calcium absorption rate improves.
• ●The amount of essential amino acids that are created from proteins through lactic acid fermentation is roughly four times that contained in cow milk, which alleviates the workload on the liver and makes it stronger.
• ●Vitamins A and B2, which are contained in large amounts in probiotics, improve the tolerance of the gastric mucosa and repair damage to it.
• ●Probiotics contain vitamins A, B1, and B2 as well as pantothenic acid, biotin, and choline, which facilitate recovery from fatigue and moisturize the skin.
• ●Because the nutrient composition of probiotics is well-balanced, easily digestible and absorbable, they are an optimal source of nutrition for infants, toddlers, patients with disease, elderly people, etc.
• ●Probiotics help reduce the cholesterol level in blood.
• ●Yogurt containing lactotripeptides actively prevents high blood pressure.
• ●Lactic acid bacteria themselves are known to boost immune strength.
• ●The substance contained in lactic acid bacteria that works similarly to dietary fiber improves the balance in intestinal flora, suppresses sudden spikes in blood sugar level, and helps prevent and treat diabetes.
• ●As live lactic acid bacteria possess an enzyme that breaks down lactose, even people who suffer abdominal pain and/or diarrhea after drinking milk can consume yogurt safely.

Recent studies have also indicated that probiotics actually provide these positive health benefits regardless of whether lactic acid bacteria are dead or alive when ingested.

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