Yakult is a fermented milk drink that contains the beneficial bacteria, Lactobacillus casei Shirota. It was first launched in Japan in 1935 and has since spread to over 100 countries worldwide. Not only does it taste good, but it also offers numerous benefits for your digestive system.
Since its introduction over 80 years ago, Yakult has become a popular fermented milk drink enjoyed by people all over the world for its taste and numerous health benefits.
What Yakult is made of and some of the ways it can help improve your digestion?
What is Yakult?
Yakult is a probiotic dairy drink that contains the beneficial bacteria Lactobacillus casei Shirota. The bacteria was originally discovered in the stomachs of healthy Japanese people. It has been shown to promote regular bowel movements, better nutrient absorption and improved immune function.
Yakult is made up of a combination of skimmed milk and fermented skimmed milk. This mixture leaves Yakult with only about 50 calories per 100ml serving, making it very low in fat and an ideal choice for those trying to lose weight or manage their cholesterol levels.
The probiotic drink also contains lactose (milk sugar), which can be difficult to digest if not taken along with other types of food that are rich in protein.
However, once again this probiotic makes itself stand out from its competition by being extremely easy on your digestive system. Its high calcium content supports muscle function and vitamin D helps maintain bone health, so you get twice the benefit when drinking Yakult.
Yakult is available in many different flavors to suit most people’s tastes. The drink comes bottled, so it’s easy to take with you wherever you go. It can be stored for up to one month at room temperature and three months if kept cold.
Types of Yakult
Yakult only has two types of drinks: original and lite. But Australia currently offers four main types of the probiotic drink.
Original – This type contains 100 percent fermented skimmed milk, which has been pasteurized before it is cooled down again by a special method right here in Australia. This prevents spoilage from occurring during transportation and storage both domestically and overseas, while still retaining all the beneficial bacteria of Yakult.
Lite – This version has 50 percent less sugar and calories than the original, making it a great choice for those looking to manage their weight or blood sugar levels.
Hi-Calcium – As the name suggests, this type is enriched with extra calcium (30% more than the Original) and vitamin D which are essential for maintaining strong bones and teeth.
Prebiotic Fiber – The most recent addition to the range, this variety contains added inulin fiber, which helps stimulate the growth of good bacteria in your gut. Inulin is also a natural sweetener, so you still get that delicious Yakult taste without any of the guilt.
Drinking Yakult: How Many Can You Drink?
The general recommendation is to consume one bottle (65ml) of Yakult per day. However, if you are lactose intolerant or have a dairy allergy, the brand recommends consulting your doctor before starting to drink Yakult. Even the lite variety contains some milk sugar.
Ideally, Yakult should be consumed shortly after meals because this is when your digestive system is working at its best.
It’s also important not to overdo it; drinking more than one bottle per day can cause stomach cramps and bloating in some people. When you drink Yakult, you may experience some bloating in the first few days. This is reaction to the probiotics in the drink as your body adjusts to it.
Finally, shake the bottle well before opening and drink it down quickly, preferably in one go. This helps to distribute the bacteria evenly throughout the liquid and gets them working as soon as possible.
Who Should Drink Yakult?
Yakult is an ideal drink for just about anyone, even kids. It’s a great choice for those who are new to probiotics and want something that tastes good and isn’t too expensive.
However, we would recommend taking some time to consider your lifestyle first as Yakult may not be the best option if you’re looking at boosting immunity or weight loss.
As always, consult with your doctor before starting any new supplement regime especially if you have allergies or intolerances. If you have a mild case of lactose intolerance, makers of the probiotic drink say you may take Yakult. But it’s not recommended for those with severe cases of intolerance.
Digestive Problems
In the modern world, it’s difficult to escape from stress. Stress affects our mood and our health in a variety of ways. One of the most common effects is that it can cause digestive problems.
What different digestive problems are there?
The most common problems are constipation and diarrhea. These can be caused by different things, such as eating the wrong food, drinking too much caffeine or alcohol, stress or anxiety and other health conditions. If you’re experiencing either of these problems on a regular basis, it’s important to see your doctor to find out what is causing them.
Several other probiotic drinks on the market also claim to help with digestive problems. These include:
- Kombucha
- Kefir
- Yogurt smoothies
- Dairy-free yogurt drinks
- Fermented veggie drinks
- Probiotic shots
Probiotics are bacteria that are beneficial for our health, and they can be found in some yogurt drinks and fermented vegetables, like kimchi and sauerkraut. There is some evidence that probiotics can help relieve constipation and diarrhea, but more research is needed in this area.
If you’re struggling with digestive problems, it’s important to find out what is causing them and to seek help from a doctor. Probiotic drinks may also be helpful, but more research is needed in this area. In the meantime, you can try incorporating probiotic food into your diet. Yogurt, kimchi and other fermented vegetables are all good sources of probiotics.
The bacteria in your gut are a key part of your digestion process, but they’re only able to do their job well if you have a healthy level of both good and bad bacteria. Probiotic drinks contain live bacteria strains that help keep your stomach feeling good.
Prebiotics vs. Probiotics
Prebiotics is another solution to digestive issues. These are carbohydrates that aren’t digested by your stomach, but they’re fermented in the gut and help good bacteria thrive. How do they differ from probiotics?
Prebiotics are found in foods like bananas, garlic and onions. They’re slightly different from probiotics because they act as food for the good bacteria rather than adding more good bacteria to your gut. To increase the amount of healthy bacteria in your stomach, it’s a better idea to try taking a probiotic supplement or drink instead of eating prebiotics on their own.
In short, there is evidence that both probiotic drinks and prebiotics can help with digestive problems such as constipation and diarrhea. However, more research into this area needs to be done before we know how effective these solutions really are at relieving people’s symptoms.
Is Yakult Really Good for You?
When discussions about health arise, most people talk about the heart, lungs or even the kidneys. Rarely do the intestines enter into the conversation. But they should because 70 percent of a human being’s immune cells reside in the intestines.
Your gut holds the key to your immunity against diseases.
So it makes perfect sense for health care routines to cover on gut health as well. And Yakult’s 6.5 billion Lactobacillus casei strain has a big part in keeping your gut flora balanced. Drinking Yakult is good for your stomach, improving your digestion and building your immunity. If Yakult doesn’t appeal to your taste, other probiotic drinks can take care of your gut health.
