At any time, hundreds of species of bacteria — both potentially harmful and potentially helpful — inhabit the human digestive tract.
Probiotics are the “friendly” types that help to ferment, decompose and digest the foods we consume.
Dairy is one of the most readily accessible and acceptable food categories that contain probiotics.
There has been some evidence that foods that provide probiotics may enhance mineral absorption.
Therefore, eating yogurt and Kefir may help ensure that calcium and other minerals in dairy are absorbed.
Yogurt is a great food to get probiotics. It is better tolerated by those who are lactose intolerant because the bacteria digest the lactose or milk sugar while fermenting the milk, which produces increased lactic acid and decreased lactose.
So far, yogurt and Kefir have the most probiotics and offer the most flavor and texture options.
Next time you are in the supermarket, try some Greek yogurt or Kefir and get a different taste and texture than the normal everyday yogurts. ••
Virginia McGovern is a clinical dietitian at Wesley Enhanced Living.