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Is Yakult a Probiotic? Benefits, Ingredients, and Side Effects
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The fermented dairy drink Yakult may be considered a probiotic supplement. Many people include this beverage with their meals, but are there any benefits? Learn more about its ingredients, benefits, and side effects, including how it works to replenish your gut.
Many probiotic supplements in today’s market claim to improve gut health, one of them being Yakult.
This small fermented beverage is supposed to fuel your digestive tract with probiotic strains. In turn, you may experience less bloating, constipation, and stomach cramps. All of these benefits sound favorable, but how does Yakult actually work?
Discover whether Yakult is a probiotic and how the ingredients could support a healthy gut.
Is Yakult a Probiotic?
Yes, Yakult counts as a probiotic beverage. It contains billions of active cultures that naturally repair your digestive system. You need a good balance between good and bad bacteria to prevent bloating, constipation, heartburn, and general stomach discomfort.
A probiotic supplement should contain good bacteria with at least 1 billion colony-forming units (CFUs). These live microorganisms can repopulate your gut and improve intestinal health. Since Yakult is home to the lactobacillus casei strain Shirota, it may increase the pipecolic acid in the gut, which alleviates constipation.
This lactobacillus strain can also improve the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections. It strengthens your immune system and encourages your body to produce anti-inflammatory agents, leading to minimal nasal congestion, headaches, and stubborn sore throat.
What Is Yakult?
Yakult is a fermented probiotic drink that tastes creamy and sweet. This milk beverage is popular because it contains healthy probiotic strains and delicious flavors. A bottle of Yakult holds 2.7fl oz of the drink, which is enough to fuel your gut health every day.
The beverage derives from fermenting skim milk with lactobacillus casei Shirota. According to the official website, this probiotic drink has over 6.5 billion good bacteria. Your gut has more energy and nutrients to control harmful bacteria and maintain a peaceful colony in the intestines.
You can drink Yakult once a day in the morning for a healthy gut. Once the body has adjusted to the beverage, you may notice more positive signs in your gut, such as frequent bowel movements and reduced bloating.
What is it made from?
The main ingredients in Yakult comprise dried skim milk, sugar, glucose, natural flavoring, and the active lacticaseibacillus paracasei strain Shirota (LcS). Both milk and sugar are required for the fermentation process.
In addition to the regular bottle of Yakult, there is another version called Yakult Light. This probiotic drink has similar ingredients but with less sugar and calories. It also has added corn dextrin and stevia extract.
You can read more nutritional facts on the official website. They have a label of each Yakult that holds information about calories, sugar, and sodium.
Is Yakult Healthy?
Yes, Yakult is healthy because it supports your digestive tract. The good bacteria work best in maintaining good gut health, reducing bloating, and preventing painful constipation. You can drink one small beverage every morning to get your body ready for the day.
Research suggests that probiotics feed your gut microbiome, which is a community of live organisms. This community needs to have a balance between good and bad bacteria; otherwise, you may develop a weak immune system that struggles to fight off infection.
However, you should be aware that Yakult probiotics contain a fair amount of sugar in each bottle. They have 10 grams of sugar, with 9 grams being added. People with high blood pressure or diabetes should monitor how much they have to avoid potential health problems.
Yakult Light is a great choice for those who need consistent blood sugar management. One small bottle only contains 3 grams of sugar due to the natural sweetener replacement. Those on a diet may also drink the lighter version, as it holds half the number of calories compared to a normal Yakult.
Is Yakult Good for Constipation?
Yakult is good for constipation due to the active lactobacillus casei strain Shirota. This specific strain prevents diarrhea and serious constipation. You can experience more frequent bowel movements that don’t feel uncomfortable or painful after eating a meal.
A study found that this lactobacillus strain softens your stools and regulates the gut microbiome, leading to fewer stomach cramps and constipated bowel movements. Probiotics can also make you poop by flushing out toxins and waste from your intestines.
Drinking Yakult daily has also been proven to aid healthy digestion. You need plenty of good bacteria to digest food properly and absorb nutrients. Without these bacteria, your body cannot gain the health benefits of consuming nutrient-dense meals throughout the day.
Benefits of Yakult
Those who drink Yakult regularly are fueling their bodies with essential probiotic strains and healthy bacteria. Since Yakult is one of the many probiotic drinks, it can offer several health benefits.
Below are the health benefits of drinking Yakult:
- Supports your gut
- Reduces the risk of upper respiratory tract infections
- Improves heart health
- Strengthens your immune system
- Promotes good skin health
- Reduces inflammation
FAQs
Yakult was created by a Japanese company in 1935. This delicious probiotic drink was mainly sold in Japan, Asia, and Latin American supermarkets before expanding to over 40 countries worldwide.
Some potential side effects of Yakult include bloating and excess gas. Your body needs time to adjust to the probiotic strains, which may cause temporary flatulence. Those who are lactose intolerant should avoid drinking Yakult due to its high dairy content.
Yes, normal Yakult and Yakult Light can increase your bowel movement. The active strains feed your intestinal bacteria and flush out waste and toxins. Once your body adjusts, you may feel less constipated.
Yakult is a good probiotic because it fuels your digestive system. However, if you want to consume something with no sugar, buy normal probiotic capsules and monitor your dosage each day.
Adults can drink two bottles of Yakult a day to gain the benefits, while children should only have one. Consuming too many probiotics may lead to unwanted digestive issues, such as bloating and gas.
A Word From an MD
Drinking probiotic beverages can eliminate common digestive issues. This is because they contain important strains that reduce harmful bacteria in your gut. While probiotic supplements are good, you should also eat more probiotic-rich foods to improve your overall health.
Some examples of fermented foods include yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh, kimchi, kombucha, and pickles.
Consider drinking or taking probiotics on an empty stomach. This way, more active strains can reach your gut without the interference of food.
For more guidance on probiotics, talk to a medical professional. They can tell you more about taking supplements and how they may benefit your health. You should also seek expert advice if you experience too many side effects.
Conclusion
Yakult can support a healthy digestive system by fueling your gut with good bacteria. The active strains promote regular bowel movements and reduce stubborn bloating. Aim to drink one a day to gain benefits.
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