Myths about probiotics

There are numerous probiotics in fermented foods, especially in yogurts, kefir, fermented milk, miso and tempeh. Microorganisms, mainly bacteria, acting from the gastrointestinal tract as a shield against pathogenic germs, help to strengthen the defenses and improve digestive health.

Lactic acid bacteria that include selected strains of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus… find food that include in their composition is becoming increasingly common, under the label, for example, of bio. But do you really know its benefits? At probiotics, like many other foods, also pursue them some myths that should banish that taking them is really good for health.

All probiotics are the same

Totally wrong, because these can be bacteria, fungi or yeasts; come from a single strain or of several, making each microorganism has different properties. That is, you have to take into account several factors, such as the spice and the strain, to determine what type of probiotic it is. In addition, the important thing when you include probiotics in the diet is to do it in the right amounts, and to be possible to take them on a daily basis.

Yogurts are a source of probiotics

Not all of them. It is true that is one of the foods that most often includes probiotics, but the mere fact that it does not mean all yogurts that contains them.

We can find yogurts with Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophilus, L. acidophilus, L. casei…

Probiotics substitute the medicines

It is one of the most widespread myths but, logically, it is not true. Probiotics themselves can be a good complement to follow a healthy diet when you are following a treatment with drugs, but in no case should be considered a substitute for any medicine.

Probiotics help to prevent colds

Taking probiotics is good for health, and its effects are included to activate the defenses, but this does not mean that we are completely free of suffering from cold. For now, there are no definitive conclusions that support the benefits of probiotics to the immune system to prevent the cold. That is, following a healthy diet should be one of the preventive measures, but the only one, to avoid an annoying disorder like the cold. These are usually recommended in cases of diarrhea, digestive problems, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis or constipation.

Food labels specify quantity

Although the labeling is true that it has improved very much, it does not indicate in a specific way yet the type of bacteria or the quantity present in all the food.