Digestive Health Greek yogurt is probiotic, meaning it is typically produced with live bacterial cultures. These bacteria can help support the good bacteria that already live in your digestive system. Consuming probiotics like Greek yogurt may improve your digestive system's ability to handle a wide variety of foods.
The Bottom Line
Yogurt can be a nutritious choice regardless of whether you choose Greek or regular. They both have protein, calcium and probiotics (the good bacteria that help keep your gut healthy). Choosing the plain variety for both types of yogurts is recommended.
Yogurt is thought to reduce inflammation by improving the integrity of the intestinal lining. And, by bolstering this layer of tissue, endotoxins — produced by gut bacteria — cannot cross into the bloodstream and promote inflammation.
Greek yogurt is another good option, but it should be plain and unsweetened. If you find plain yogurt hard to stomach, consider adding low-fructose fruits such as berries or, better yet, nuts, which also help with IBS symptoms and have high levels of fiber.
Yogurt Yogurt is a rich source of probiotics — “good bacteria” — and helps promote gut health. And unlike cow's milk and cheese, yogurt is a dairy product that is well tolerated by people with IBD. Dr. Butnariu explains that the bacteria in yogurt help to break down the lactose, making it easier on the stomach.
Multiple studies suggest that they are prebiotics that is quite beneficial to relieve constipation during pregnancy or some digestive problems. The use of yogurt is effective and safe. It is an amazing addition to your healthy diet to improve the functioning of the bowel.
Yogurt. The bacteria that turn milk to yogurt are also good for your digestive tract. All yogurt helps keep it healthy and keeps you regular, but yogurt with live cultures or probiotics may be even better at helping you go.
Another study showed that four weeks of probiotic yogurt consumption by healthy adults increased gut content of probiotic Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria strains while not significantly altering microbial community structure [5].
While yogurt may help provide some level of digestive support and can be a delicious addition to any diet, it simply can't compete with the best probiotic supplements for women, men, and children.
While it's certainly worthwhile to eat yogurt as a healthy snack and a good source of protein, you're much better off getting your daily dose of probiotics from a quality supplement.
Many of the potential health benefits of Greek yogurt relate to its high protein content. A protein-rich diet may help reduce hunger, boost metabolism, and build muscle. Greek yogurt is an excellent source of calcium, which can help improve bone health.
The probiotics in Greek yogurt also pack a great punch for keeping your digestive system healthy. Probiotics help you balance the “good” and “bad” bacteria in your gut. Mix your yogurt together with low-sugar fruit in the morning to keep your colon cancer-fighting diet on track.
Low-fat, and fat-free dairy foods like Chobani® yogurt are part of a recommended healthy eating pattern that provides an excellent source of protein, a balance of good fats, and a host of naturally occurring essential vitamins and minerals.
Yogurt can cause diarrhea in some people
Yogurt contains lactose - a milk sugar that up to 70% of people in the world cannot digest. People with lactose intolerance often experience diarrhea from eating foods rich in lactose, including yogurt.
Most partial blockages get better on their own. Your doctor may give you a special diet that's easier on your intestines. Enemas of air or fluid can help clear blockages by raising the pressure inside your bowels. A mesh tube called a stent is a safe option for people who are too sick for surgery.
Whole wheat bread, pasta, bran and cereals – Adding weight to stools to speed up passing through the intestines, whole wheat foods are a great way to encourage bowel movements. A clever way to add even more fibre to your diet is to choose whole wheat bread and cereals that contain nuts and seeds.
Be sure to eat enough protein -- Inflammation causes increased protein needs. Choose: Tender, well-cooked meats: Poultry, salmon or other fish, lean beef and pork prepared without added fat. Deli meats: Low-sodium and low-fat varieties.
Probiotics: The good bacteria can help you go.
Kimball says any yogurt — not just those that advertise they're good for gastrointestinal health — can be a good source of probiotics that help relieve constipation. “I usually look for a low-sugar Greek yogurt,” she says.
One of the best probiotics, yogurt is packed with good bacteria that promote a healthy gut (and you need to keep those good bacteria happy all the time if you don't want bloating). Essentially, a healthy gut means less bloating. So if you're feeling gassy, go for some plain yogurt or Greek yogurt.