The Benefits of Yogurt Bacteria
The two kinds of yogurt bacteria that turn milk into yogurt are lactobacillus bulgaricus and streptococcus thermophilus. Companies also add other bacteria, however, to many yogurts; studies have shown these other bacteria also have some health benefits.
All this talk about bacteria may be confusing to some, who have only heard the bad press about bacteria as negative decease causing properties. Bacteria, however, are present throughout our intestinal organs. Many of these bacteria have positive attributes that actually help us with several bodily functions; scientists term these beneficial bacteria pro-biotics. Many of the bacteria in yogurt are of this second healthy pro-biotic kind.
About Yogurt Production
It may help to have a basic sense of how companies make yogurt. Yogurt makers produce yogurt by first purifying it of negative bacteria that might be present. Then they add lactobacillus bulgaricus, streptococcus thermophilus, and any other bacteria they might find beneficial for their product. With these bacteria added, they ferment the bacteria for about five hours.
The Benefits of Yogurt
Yogurt has a long reputation as an anti-diarrhea food. Even though yogurt is a milk-based product, the process that makes yogurt also transforms yogurt so that those who are lactose intolerant can ingest it without getting their usual symptoms. This makes it so that those who suffer from lactose intolerance can still get the calcium they need for healthy bones.
Yogurt also contains B6 and B12, riboflavin and protein.
Lactobacillus Bulgarus
This is the main bacteria added the yogurt making process; bulgaris has several health promoting effects. First, bulgaris is the reason why that those with lactose intolerance can eat yogurt without experiencing the negative effects they usually do when drinking milk products. Lactobacillus bulgaris is a naturally occurring bacterium in the mouths of most individuals. Those who suffer from lactose intolerance, do so because of a lack of these bacteria. This yogurt bacterium boosts the level of this pro-biotic in the mouth and breaks down the lactose sugar so that individuals can convert (metabolize) the sugar like everyone else.
Lactobacillus bulgaris also benefits those with high cholesterol because it helps to metabolize lipids as well. Interestingly, lactobacillus bulgaris acts as sort of a friendly force in your system, promoting good bacteria that help your system fight disease, and acting as an antibiotic against many forms of harmful infections.
Streptococcus Thermophilus
The other main bacterium used in making yogurt also helps in promoting other pro-biotics in the body. In addition, streptococcus thermophilus reduces nitrate in the body, which scientists believe may be involved in forming of cancer cells. Animal studies of streptococcus thermophilus have yielded a reduction in tumor size and an overall increase in cancer fighting benefits to animals. Other studies have shown that consumption of yogurt bacteria also help prevent breast cancer in women.
Other Bacteria in Yogurt
There are several other bacteria added to yogurts these days that also help with human health. Here is a sampling of the some of the more impressive ones:
Lactobacillus acidophilus is one of the main tertiary yogurt bacteria. Acidophilus may help to prevent cancer by working as an anti-biotic. In the colon acidophilus prevents certain kinds of bacteria from forming cancerous wastes that our bodies have difficulty processing.
Streptococcus faecium is yet another beneficial bacterium. It attaches itself to the mucosal linings forming a protective barrier against other malignant microorganisms that would otherwise harm the individual.
Lactobacillus casei is yet another type of yogurt bacteria. Casei helps reduce the incidence of diarrhea in children who are on antibiotics because of a life threatening condition that has forced his or her parents to hospitalize them.
Therefore, next time you here about the harmful effects of bacteria, remember to remind people of the positive effects as well.