The Benefits of Yogurt Depend on
What Probiotics Yogurt You Choose

How to Choose the Best Flora Source for Your Human Digestive System and Candida

Enjoy the many benefits of yogurt that contain live, active bacterial cultures.

Here are 6 quick and easy benefits of yogurt and reasons to try it:

The answer is yes and no.

For years and years, people have recognized that cultured food tastes good and helps us keep a healthy body. All yogurt is a cultured food, so eating yogurt will give you the health benefits of cultured food.

But, if it is a sugary, sweetened flavored yogurt...eating all of this sugar will take away from it's health benefits.

So, although all yogurt is cultured, you will get the most benefits of yogurt if you eat the plain, unsweetened yogurt.

That said, some yogurt is still better than none (at least that is what the yogurt companies want us to think - wink,wink).

There are many brands of yogurt available, depending on where you live. A few examples are:

Not all yogurt brands are the same. Not all the benefits of yogurt are the same

You need to take the time to read the label before deciding what to buy.

Yogurt companies must follow strict labeling guidelines.

They must be careful how they describe health benefits and can only describe scientifically proven claims. They must include a specific listing of what probiotics are in the yogurt and how much yogurt you need to eat to experience the health benefit. Also, they need to state whether the probiotic stays active for the shelf life of the yogurt.

For example, the Olympic brand of yogurt's website states in various locations that:

The health benefit: "probiotic cultures benefit the digestive and stimulate the immune systems by inhibiting the growth of undesirable microflora".

Describes the probiotics: "Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifidobacteria, Streptococcus Thermophilus, Lactobacillus Paracasei Subsp. Casei, and Lactobacillus Delbrueckii Subsp. Bulgaricus and Subsp. Lactis. Our certified organic yogurts combine all five of these beneficial bacteria. In addition, all of our yogurts contain 3 probiotic cultures."

How much you need to eat to get the full benefit: "Each 100 ml will contain a minimum 1 billion live active probiotic bacteria throughout the life of the product." Olympic's website than goes on to make a general statement on the scientific research claims and benefits of probiotics.

Another example of a popular yogurt, Activia, states on their website that: "Activia is scientifically proven to help with slow intestinal transit when consumed daily for two weeks as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle".

Sometimes, all of this information can be found on the packaging and sometimes you need to check websites or contact information.The packaging should always have a number, website or way to contact them.

Although many people think that yogurt helps them be healthy, many people don't really understand how or why. I didn't at first.

By reading the labels, checking websites or phoning 1-800 numbers, you can find out what health issue your yogurt will help, how much to eat, and how long the effects will last. (In general, you will only benefit from a probiotic while taking it. Research shows that when probiotic supplementing is stopped - the levels of probiotics in our systems drop right back down too).

1. Fruit in yogurt can counteract the live enzymes found in probiotics. If you like fruit flavored yogurt, to ensure the probiotics are preserved, consider the fruit on the bottom, or the unstirred varieties.


2. If dealing with Candida overgrowth, Jeanne Marie Martin from the "Complete Candida Yeast Guidebook" recommends only eating yogurt mixed with acidophilus powder (such as HMF Superpowder). 6-8oz plain yogurt with 1/16 tsp of acidophilus powder. Martin says that adding your own acidophilus powder ensures no unwanted bacteria survives from packaging and storing. Garlic or fresh lime or lemon juice can also be added to combat unwanted bacteria.


3. If on the Candida diet check the guidelines or with your health provider of your particular anti-candida diet plan. Some plans say yogurt is ok if you tolerate dairy, but others say no dairy at all - including no yogurt.


4. Are you allergic to dairy? Sometimes people who are allergic to other dairy can tolerate the real plain yogurt. If you are like me, and you eat no dairy at all. Try the soy yogurts or the goats milk yogurts. Just check the labels and the company information to see what active, live bacteria cultures have been added.


5. If Candida is an issue for you, develop a taste for plain, unsweetened, organic yogurt.


6. Instead of giving my children probiotic supplements, I have them eat yogurt. This way they are getting some probiotics in their diet and loving the taste too.

Do you have some other benefits of yogurt or information on yogurt and probiotics? What is your favorite brand? Let me know.