Yakult For Gut Health (2024 Guide)
Want a probiotic drink to stash in your refrigerator? Then Yakult should be on your grocery list. Yakult fermented milk drink has probiotics that benefit your gut health in more ways than one.
We know that probiotics are good bacteria that your body naturally produces. These helpful live bacteria are found in probiotic beverages like Yakult. Drinking Yakult has a long list of benefits for the gut, such as digestive support, immune system, and much more.
Before you jump the gun and get a pack or two of Yakult, you might have questions. And that’s okay. If you’re wondering, “Is Yakult good for everyone, including pregnant women?” Or “How many bottles of Yakult can I drink in a day?” you’re in the right place.
Find out everything you need to know to get the best of Yakult in this guide.
Does Yakult Improve Gut Health?
Yakult is a preferred drink because it improves gut health. It contains Lactobacillus casei Shirota (LcS). This unique probiotic strain was discovered by the Japanese scientist Dr. Shirota. LcS has been shown to improve gut health in many ways. One such way is by aiding digestive health by softening stools and promoting regular bowel movements.
Including beneficial probiotics in your diet has many advantages. Your gut contains a naturally occurring community of beneficial bacteria and helping this community can help your whole body and your gut stay healthy.
7 Benefits of Yakult Probiotic for Gut Health
1. Increase Healthy Gut Bacteria
The bacteria that live in your gut occasionally need some extra help. This is crucial if you’re taking antibiotics because they can’t distinguish between good and harmful bacteria and kill everything in their path.
Yakult does a beautiful job of replenishing the number of healthy bacteria in your stomach. Each bottle of Yakult contains about 20 million strains of LcS bacteria! It does an excellent job of maintaining a balanced population of good gut bacteria that help improve your overall health.
2. Promotes Digestive Health
Thanks to all the beneficial bacteria in your intestines, your body digests and absorbs a large portion of the food you eat. When taking a probiotic drink like Yakult, expect your digestive tract to function better.
Aside from breaking down food, the Lactobacillus casei Shirota helps ease constipation. Two servings of Yakult should be consumed daily if you struggle with regularity.
3. Improves Immunity
A robust immune system can be supported by including the Shirota strain in your eating plan. Since a large portion of your immune response is located inside your gut, the bacteria in your gut help you digest your food and kill unhealthy microbes.
Harmful bacteria that get into the digestive tract can be found and dealt with by probiotics. Ensuring your stomach has adequate LcS will help your body’s defense mechanisms.
Yakult milk is also suitable for treating respiratory tract infections, especially in infants. Their bodies need extra support fighting off harmful bacteria that can make them sick.
4. Relieves Stress
Our stomachs and our brains have a close association. Thus, neuropsychiatric disorders like anxiety or depression can be brought on by changes in peoples’ gut microbes. Probiotics may benefit persons with stress symptoms by lowering their anxiety scores.
People who regularly ingest probiotics score lower on the depression scale. Yakult can aid in lowering anxiety and tension because it contains a lot of probiotics.
Additionally, gut bacteria can assist with other biological processes, like promoting interactions between the gut and the brain that influence mood and metabolism.
5. Reduces Cancer Risk
A microbial imbalance in the stomach may raise a person’s risk of getting cancer and other autoimmune diseases.
Since probiotics have anti-cancerous properties, they might be an effective cancer prevention method. They delay the growth of cancerous cells in the body and maintain the physiochemical properties of the colon.
Probiotics like Yakult are believed to lower the incidence of cancer. Healthy bacteria aid in the removal of dangerous chemicals from the body that might result in cancer in several organs.
Yakult’s microbes improve Immunity, which can help tackle cancerous cells within the body before they develop into dangerous tumors.
6. Normalizes Bowel Movement
Yakult probiotic drink helps in normalizing bowel movement. It contains Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota, reducing the time required to pass stools. This is because it helps break down food particles that are not digested properly by the body and converts them into healthy nutrients that can be absorbed by our bodies efficiently.
7. Relieving Heartburn and Acid Reflux
Heartburn and acid reflux are the most common symptoms of an unhealthy gut. The main reason is that too many unfriendly bacteria are in your stomach, which causes acid to build up in your esophagus. Probiotic drinks like Yakult can help reduce this acid build-up, reducing heartburn and acid reflux symptoms.
Related: 7 Best Probiotics for Acid Reflux
Side Effects of Yakult Drink
The probiotic content of Yakult makes it an excellent beverage for maintaining general health. And most people can safely drink Yakult without experiencing side effects. However, consuming Yakult may have the following adverse effects for some people.
1. Bloating
In some situations, temporary gassiness can result when you first start drinking Yakult.
This reaction is brought on by bacteria digesting food in the gut more quickly than the body is used to. If you take probiotics for the first time, such a reaction can occur. It’ll happen alongside thirst or constipation. But the good news is that your body will get used to the probiotics after a few days, and the bloating should cease.
2. Lactose Intolerance
Skimmed milk is used to produce Yakult. As a result, those who are allergic to dairy products may develop adverse responses to the drink. People who are mildly lactose intolerant but consume yogurt can drink Yakult. However, a very lactose-sensitive person might react negatively to Yakult.
3. Adverse Immune Response
Although most individuals benefit from probiotics, those with weak immune systems may get illnesses due to the microbes. If you have any underlying medical concerns that have weakened your immune system, speak with your doctor before consuming Yakult regularly.
Yakult Dosage for Gut Health
To keep your gut healthy, there is a scoop on the proper dosage of Yakult you need to be healthy. Consuming more than one bottle of Yakult daily is safe to ensure your gut has good beneficial bacteria.
The official Yakult USA site recommends that adults drink one to two daily bottles. Children can take a bottle every day without any problems, and infants older than eight months can also have a bottle every day.
It can be tough maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. However, drinking Yakult at least once a day can help you promote your gut bacteria so they can improve your health.
As we’ve established, you can drink more than a bottle of Yakult. But how many bottles should be your limit? That’s totally up to you. Suppose you have had significant surgery or chemotherapy that compromised your immune system. Alternatively, you should wait until you feel better to enjoy Yakult if you are currently suffering from a digestive ailment.
Additionally, taking too many probiotics might have unpleasant side effects like bloating, even if you’re healthy. Even a good thing can be harmful in excess. To be safe, consume Yakult at the recommended dosage for your age.
Is It Good to Drink Yakult Every Day?
It sure is. Drinking probiotic drinks like Yakult daily helps boost the immune system and digestion in adults. However, this probiotic yogurt drink shouldn’t be considered a substitute for other diet components.
Instead, consider Yakult a probiotic supplement and eat a balanced diet.
Yakult can often be consumed at any time of day. A study by the Yakult Central Institute found no appreciable difference between consuming Yakult before and after meals. Simply put, the perfect moment can be at any point during the day.
However, It is not the best idea to take most probiotics on an empty stomach because since stomach will be acidic. Fewer probiotics can survive and do their magic in such a harsh environment. Thus, it is best to take your probiotics with a meal or even just a few minutes after eating.
But Lactobacillus casei Shirota has been scientifically shown to be resistant to gastric acidity.
This unique strain of bacteria survives digestive juices and bile and gets to the intestine alive. This means you can benefit from consuming Yakult at any time of the day, whether you’ve eaten or not. Yakult is even better when consumed on an empty stomach since the probiotics reach your gut sooner.
How many Probiotics are in Yakult?
Yakult contains a unique strain of lactic acid bacteria, the L. casei Shirota. We’ve discussed the benefits of Yakult as a probiotic, but there’s more to know. Yakult has enough probiotics in one bottle. A 65ml bottle of Yakult contains 20 billion strains of LcS when refrigerated.
Healthy adults are advised to take 10-20 billion colony-forming units (CFU) of probiotics to reap the benefits. The more the CFU, the better because some helpful bacteria may die. So, one or two daily bottles should suffice for a healthy adult.
Yakult is a great probiotic to include in your nutrition plan. It contains LcS, a good bacteria used to treat constipation, and has immune benefits. Need a probiotic to improve your gut and overall health? Yakult should do the trick.
Is Drinking Yakult For Gut Health Good During Pregnancy?
Yakult is safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women because their bodies react well to probiotics. Yakult also contains natural nutrients like glucose and skim milk.
Additionally, Yakult includes lactic acid bacteria, which support the growth of beneficial bacteria while reducing the growth of dangerous bacteria in the intestines. No studies have shown a negative result from Yakult consumption during pregnancy.
Still, you can speak with your doctor if you have concerns about drinking Yakult while pregnant.
Moreover, Yakult is an excellent calcium source, and we know how necessary calcium is for the baby’s bones and teeth growth. Probiotics are safe for early pregnancy because systemic absorption of the microbes is not common, especially in healthy people. Probiotics also lower the chance of pregnant women getting gestational diabetes.
A pregnant diabetic woman may consume Yakult. However, you ought to have factored it into your overall carbohydrate intake. When included in a healthy diet, Yakult is appropriate for people with diabetes. The amount of sugar in each bottle of Yakult Original is 8.8g, while the amount in Yakult Light is 2.9g.
Yakult For Pregnant Women With UTI
Pregnant women with urinary tract infections can enjoy Yakult.
Most fermented food products, including Yakult, contain lactobacilli, a helpful bacteria. These bacteria are also naturally present in the human body, significantly preserving a balanced microflora in the vagina and gastrointestinal tract.
Yakult can prevent common female health issues like bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, and urinary tract infections by restoring the body’s lactobacilli to a healthy equilibrium.
Drinking probiotic beverages is generally regarded as safe when pregnant. A growing amount of research suggests that probiotics for pregnancy may help avoid acidity, bloating, and heartburn.
Probiotics can assist in re-establishing the balance of gut microorganisms, which might become out of whack during pregnancy. Additionally, probiotics may help lower the risk of several pregnancy problems, such as preeclampsia.
Still, scientists feel that extra high research is required. For pregnant women, it is advisable first to discuss probiotic treatment with your medical advisor if you’re thinking about doing so.
Yakult Alternatives for Gut Health
Many probiotic drinks on the market can help you achieve a healthy digestive system. However, not all are created equal; some may not be suitable for you.
Here are the best alternatives to Yakult probiotic drinks for gut health.
1. Probiotic Pills
Probiotic pills are a great alternative to Yakult probiotic drinks for gut health. They are very convenient and can be taken with or without water. Probiotics in pill form do not need to be refrigerated and will last at least two years if stored properly. They come in a variety of brands that provide different types of strains.
Here are common brands with beneficial strains:
- YourBiology Probiotics: Contain 4 live potent strains with over 40 billion CFU s in each capsule. This is one of the most potent probiotic pills on the market and is an excellent option for those looking to address specific issues such as leaky gut or SIBO.
- Biotics8 Probiotics: Has almost eight different strains, including vitamin D and Chicory root fiber for gut health. This probiotic is highly versatile and can be used by anyone looking for a general probiotic to address specific issues.
2. Kefir
Kefir is a fermented milk drink that can help improve your digestive system. It contains live and active cultures similar to yogurt and other probiotic beverages. Kefir also contains calcium, vitamin B12, and protein necessary for healthy bone development.
3. Yogurt
Yogurt is an excellent source of probiotics. It contains many healthy bacteria, including lactobacillus acidophilus, lactobacillus bulgaricus, and streptococcus thermophiles. Yogurt also contains other nutrients essential for gut health, such as calcium and phosphorus. You can choose from many types of yogurt, including low-fat, non-fat, or Greek yogurt.
4. Kombucha
Kombucha is a fermented tea that contains probiotics. It’s often referred to as a “mushroom tea” because it has an effervescent bubble-like appearance. It’s a great alternative to Yakult because it has similar health benefits and is easy to make at home. You can find kombucha at most supermarkets or health food stores.
5. Actimel
Actimel is a brand of probiotic drink made by Danone. It contains Lactobacillus casei, which is a good form of bacteria for your gut. However, it also has sucrose and glucose syrup as sweeteners. The other ingredients are water and milk proteins that may not be suitable for those who are lactose intolerant or vegan.
6. Vitagen
Vitagen is a probiotic drink containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis, two strains of bacteria known to promote a healthy digestive system. It also has some prebiotics and fibers that can help improve the growth of beneficial bacteria in your gut.
FAQs
Is Yakult good for IBS?
Research has shown that a probiotic drink like Yakult can help reduce the occurrence of SIBO in IBS. However, findings need to be confirmed through additional studies. While there is no direct evidence that Yakult can help with IBS, some people have reported a positive effect from consuming the probiotic drink.
Is Yakult good for leaky gut?
Probiotic drinks like Yakult can help with the gut microbiome, which may reduce the occurrence of leaky gut. However, there needs to be more evidence that probiotic yogurt can help repair leaky gut.
Is Yakult good for ulcers?
The probiotic in Yakult can help reduce inflammation and acid reflux that causes ulcers, but it’s not a cure. Yakult is an excellent probiotic that can help with ulcers, but it’s only one part of a larger treatment plan. If you have ulcers, be sure to visit your doctor and follow their instructions for treatment.
