Why do yogurts have bateria and what does it do to a persons stomach and intestines?

Question

I hear people saying what i just ate had bacteria for some reason and i just ate Activia yogurt because its says it regulates my stomach.

How does these bacterias regulate a person stomach and how did scientist determine that these bacteria are good for you.

Please explain.

Thanks in advance.

Alvaro

Answer 1

hope this helps   http://www.answers.com/topic/probiotic

Answer 2

Alvaro,

Well, one answer that you might want to know is that there are "good" and "bad" bacteria.  Another one, is that "good" only means good to us humans in that it either does something good for us, or it is "bad" in the sense that it would cause us to get sick, or make trouble on the Earth.  But, to bacteria-which by the way is more than one, and bacterium means 1 prokaryotic single celled organism that is smaller than about the length that would be 3-9 of the  one thousandth of a millimeter lines, and that is part of the definition of bacterium-they are just doing what they need to be doing, wherever they land, to survive, to carry on, and adapt.  

Do you realize that your mouth, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, sexual organs, butt-crack, the center of the small of your back-where the spine curves inward slightly-and your ears, nose and throat, all have their own special environments, and subpopulations of different simbiant, and yes, destructive, bacteria?  As a matter of fact, your mouth alone can have as little as a few million to as many as trillions of different bacterial populations at any one time, right after a long brushing and listerene rinse, or after about 6-8 hours after eating a piece of taffy before going to sleep for the night, respectively :)

Alvaro, my guess is that these bacteria are probably a slightly modified-and when I say modified, I do mean genetically altered, but don't trip, just because they might be genetically altered, doesn't mean they can genetically alter you, because they can; however, you are naturally being genetically altered every time you get a cold or a flu, or other retroviruses, they typically genetically alter every cell they successfully infect-but it has made these good guys into super bacteria!  But, don't freak out or anything, because, remember how I said there are "good" and "bad" bacteria.  Well, the scientists-should say we scientists-just made a good bacterium better by making them stronger and last longer in order to compete with the "NotSoGood" varieties of bacteria that are just NATURALLY inside of your mouth, throat, stomach, and intestines :)  So, these super good bacteria get to go in, in mass quantities, and set up shop in your body.  Other bacteria notice and don't like it, so a tug of war goes on, and whatever is coming by them-meaning whatever else you eat or drink-is either going to help or hurt-the Biffus, regularus bacteria that you just ate that are setting up shop to survive, cause they like when you've put them :)  But, it might not, it might hurt them, or it might hurt their opponents, which are also many.  

As for the particulars of what happens in the stomach, and intestines with respect to bacteria.  I suggest you get on Google, and search "Regularus bacteria in stomach intestines", or just "bacteria in stomach intestines".  From there, a whole world of information about your insides and the relationship your body has with this tiny creature; it will be yours :)  

Happy reading, Alvaro!  So glad you asked, and are interested in the why, what, and how of this stuff.  More people should be as pensive!

Answer 3

Yogurt is a dairy product produced by bacterial fermentation of milk. Fermentation of the milk sugar (lactose) produces lactic acid.

It regulates the acid in your stomach if you have a stomach pain.

Lactic acid bacteria have the potential to influence the immune system. They are strong antioxidants so it can enhance absorption of micronutrients by protecting the intestinal epithelial barrier.

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Answer 4

Yogurt is made by introducing specific bacteria strains into milk. The bacteria ingest natural milk sugars and release lactic acid as a waste product. The increased acidity causes milk proteins to tangle into a solid mass (curd). In the U.S., to be named yogurt, the product must be made with the bacterial species Streptococcus salivarius subsp. thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus. Often these two are co-cultured with other lactic acid bacteria for taste or health effects (See probiotics). These include L. acidophilus, L. casei and Bifidobacterium species. In most countries, a product may be called yogurt only if live bacteria are present in the final product. In the U.S., non-pasteurized yogurt can be marketed as "live" or containing "live active culture".

Activia claims it has the live bacterium Bifidus regularis. This is not really a true scientific name. The true name is Bifidobacterium animalis, which is present in the gut of most animals, including humans. All these bacteria are normal flora of the gut. They help to prevent infections by yeast and other harmful microorganisms by competing with them. This is especially true after taking antibiotics. They ferment lactose and other indigestible saccharides. Their growth promotes bowel movement.

These bacteria are already in our guts. You do not need to ingest more bacteria every day. Instead, eat sensibly to promote their growth.