Introduction
Yakult® is a probiotic yogurt drink produced by the Japanese company of the same name, “Yakult®”, and is also distributed here in Germany. Yakult® advertises, similar to its competitor Actimel®, that the drink activates the body’s defenses and ensures a healthy intestinal flora. The following text explains what Yakult® actually is and how it works.
Indications for Yakult®
Yakult® is a food product, not a medical device. Therefore, there is no officially tested indication. In the past, Yakult® itself promoted its yogurt drink by strengthening the immune system and promoting a healthy intestinal tract – after strong criticism, these properties are currently no longer mentioned.
However, it is a fact that Yakult® is a probiotic food. The contained trunk of lactic acid bacteria can overcome the stomach and Gallensäuren in considerable portions and affect so in the intestine the natural Darmflora in such a way. However, Yakult® is not the only product that can do this – many yogurt products have this probiotic ability. Possible indications for probiotic yogurt products are scientifically supported, especially chronic gastrointestinal diseases or constipation. The immune-boosting effect of probiotic dairy products is controversially discussed, but dairy products can contribute to a balanced diet, which is also essential for a good immune system.
How does Yakult® work?
Yakult® contains the following ingredients: Water, skim milk, glucose-fructose syrup, sugar, maltodextrin, flavor, Lactobacillus casei Shirota. The glucose-fructose syrup, sugar, and maltodextrin are carbohydrate-based sweeteners that are needed, among other things, to keep the Lactobacillus casei Shirota lactic acid bacterial strain alive. However, the main part of the drink is made from skimmed milk, making Yakult® a probiotic milk product, similar to yogurt or the competitor product Actimel®.
When consumed, the stomach and gall-acid resistant milk bacterial strain enters the intestine unharmed and influences the natural intestinal flora. This can lead to better digestion and utilization of the food consumed. Whether probiotic foods actually strengthen the immune system is not conclusively clarified.
However, the so-called MALT system, a part of the natural immune system, is located in the intestine and can be stimulated by the lactic acid bacteria. The exact interactions between the immune system and lactic acid bacteria have not yet been sufficiently clarified. It should be noted here, however, that these effects are probably also mediated by other probiotic foods such as natural yogurt, which may be considerably cheaper.
A healthy and balanced diet remains crucial. Yakult® recommends taking one bottle of Yakult® a day. This corresponds to 65ml.