Probiotics
Andrea Nisley, Extension Educator
University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension Building Nebraska Families Program
University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension Building Nebraska Families Program
Many food products today are being advertised as containing probiotics. Have you wondered just what a probiotic is and why it is good for them to be added to food products?
Probiotics are live microorganisms that can provide a beneficial health effect in humans. It seems strange to want to enhance food with microorganisms when there is such an emphasis on keeping them out of food so as not to cause food-borne illnesses.
Probiotic bacteria are “good bacteria” that may help fight off harmful bacteria. The microorganisms that are in probiotics are safe. They have been deemed ‘GRAS’ (generally recognized as safe) by the Federal Food and Drug Administration.
Probiotics can be active or inactive in food products. The inactive form is manufactured as dried bacteria that are stable and dormant; they will grow only when they reach the moist environment of the body. The active form is available in food products such as yogurt and fruit juice.
There are many health benefits of consuming probiotics but are generally recognized for improving digestive health, strengthening your immune system, and better general health.
To find common probiotic products look at the labels for milk or juice products as well as in the supplement form.
For more information on probiotics contact your local University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension office and ask for NebGuide G1863, A Healthy Lifestyle with Probiotics and Prebiotics or it is available on the web at http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/sendIt/g1863.pdf
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