The Pros of Probiotics

by WiredBerries Editors — February 22, 2008

We spend a lot of time avoiding bacteria, so the idea of going out of your way to find live bacteria to eat seems not only foreign but downright gross. But probiotics, foods and supplements that contain certain live microorganisms, offer a multitude of health benefits.

Research has suggested that probiotic bacteria, such as those offered in yogurt, can:

• Help reduce the risk of certain digestive illnesses
• Assist lactose-intolerant people with lactose digestion
• Enhance immune function

Some preliminary studies also report that certain probiotics can play a role in reducing the development of allergy in children, helping patients cope with side effects of antibiotics, managing relapse of some inflammatory bowel conditions, decreasing the risk of certain cancers, decreasing dental-caries-causing microbes in the mouth, and keeping healthy people healthy.