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Probiotic foods are living their heyday. They are found more and more in the supermarket and millions of people consume them. They are also known as functional foods, although this is a misnomer because any food you eat has a function. Their big advantage is that they are not only healthy, but also have a therapeutic value such as preventing or alleviating certain diseases just as a medicine would. The common characteristic of these foods is that they contain live microorganisms which, when taken in the right concentration, are good for people�s health.

The best-known and most commonly consumed probiotic foods are yogurts, fermented dairy products and cheeses. But these microorganisms are being added to more and more foods such as vegetables, fermented-soy derivatives and food for children.

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But how do good bacteria act inside the body? What organs do they exert their positive effects on, and how? The first and most widely confirmed effect is the one they have on bacteria in the intestine. It has been shown that they balance the intestinal flora and protect against harmful microorganisms and toxins, as well as stimulate movement of the intestines, reducing the time it takes for feces to be expelled. Several studies suggest that consuming probiotic food reduces incidence of diarrhea, boosts the immune system and helps prevent cancer.

The positive effect on the immune system has been observed in athletes, whose defenses tend to be low because of the intense physical activity they engage in. It was observed that after ingesting dairy products containing lactobacillus casei every day for a month they were better prepared to fight disease.

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The positive effects of probiotic foods have also been studied by the FAIR research and development project of the European Union. Here, it was observed that consuming probiotic products cut down on diarrhea in children, made them more resistant to respiratory trouble and also helped people with allergies.

All the good bacteria found these days in yogurt and other dairy products have been passed on for generations in mother�s milk, which also contains them. Their role was to strengthen the baby�s immune system. Indeed, babies who are breast-fed have diarrhea less often. This effect has been lost with time, however, because of the use of antibiotics, changes in diet and modern lifestyles in general.

Protection against cancer
Probiotic foods� potential for protecting against some kinds of cancer stem from their positive effect on the organism�s defenses. But it has only been observed in animals tested in laboratories. Other studies focus on whether the organism has an increased and improved ability to absorb B vitamins and minerals like calcium, iron, copper, zinc and magnesium. And if all this were not enough, it is now believed that probiotic foods help fight LDL cholesterol, the so-called bad cholesterol, making them firm allies of cardiovascular health.

So as far as current research can tell us, probiotic foods boast many advantages and no known side effects, at least so far, that would tarnish their excellent nutritional reputation.

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