Sugar is added to Yakult primarily to balance the sour taste of lactic acid produced during fermentation, making it enjoyable for consumers, and also serves as food for the Shirota bacteria, helping them thrive and survive. Without sugar, the drink would be too tart, while sugar also provides some energy and contributes to its texture.
Each bottle of Yakult Original contains 8.8g of sugar, a bottle of Yakult Balance contains 2.9g and a bottle of Yakult Plus contains 2.7g of sugar. Sugar plays an important role in production with our unique bacteria using it as part of the fermentation process.
Yakult Original doesn't contain any sweeteners. Yakult Balance and Yakult Plus Peach contains maltitol syrup and steviol glycosides, extracted from the leaves of the stevia plant.
Yes, Yakult is generally considered good for you as a probiotic drink that promotes gut health by introducing live Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Shirota (LcS) bacteria, which help balance gut flora, improve digestion, and support immunity, though it's important to consider sugar content and dairy allergies. Regular consumption can lead to more regular bowel movements, reduced constipation, and a stronger immune system, but it's best to consult a doctor if you have specific health concerns or dairy sensitivities.
Probiotics need carbohydrates to feed off to grow and thrive, and the probiotics will just begin fermenting the added sugars as well. Sugar is even added to some products that do not contain natural sugar so that the probiotics can ferment the added sugar for fuel.
Cardiologists warn against probiotics for heart patients due to risks like infections (endocarditis) in vulnerable individuals, potential negative interactions with heart medications, and the lack of strong human data proving consistent cardiovascular benefits, with some early concerns even showing increased mortality in critically ill patients. While probiotics show promise for gut-heart axis health, they pose risks, especially for immunocompromised patients or those with underlying heart conditions, necessitating doctor supervision.
A high intake of sugar modifies the ratio between Proteobacteria and Bacteroides. This happens when excess sugar is not absorbed in the small intestine and is consumed by Proteobacteria that utilise simple carbohydrates, thus increasing their numbers at the expense of Bacteroides that break down complex carbohydrates.
Yes, drinking Yakult daily is generally considered safe and is what the manufacturer recommends for maintaining gut health, as the probiotic bacteria need regular replenishment; one bottle a day is typical, but more is usually fine as part of a balanced diet, though it's best to avoid adding it to hot foods. While many find it beneficial for digestion, some studies suggest potential interactions with antibiotics or that benefits aren't universal, so consulting a doctor is wise, especially for children or if you have health concerns.
Probiotic beverages that really work for gut health
There are two beverages Dr. Karnatovskaia recommends: kefir and kombucha. Kefir is a milk-based beverage fermented with grains of a specific blend of beneficial bacteria and yeast. Kefir has a thin, yogurtlike texture with a tangy taste.
Although originally founded in Japan in 1935, Yakult is now completely part of Korean culture. Yakult Japan established a Korean branch in 1969. It is a small milk-based drink that contains live Lactobacillus Paracasei Shirota, which promotes a balanced and healthy gut.
By consuming Yakult on an empty stomach in the morning, you can promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in your digestive system and improve digestion all day long. Yakult is a great addition to any breakfast, including toast, oatmeal, or cereal. Various breakfast choices are complemented by its flavor.
During the natural fermentation process of Yakult, the bacteria produce lactic acid that makes the drink taste sour. Therefore, by adding sugar, Yakult is made more palatable and acceptable for taste.
Neither is definitively "better"; the choice between red (Original) and blue (Light/Balance) Yakult depends on your health goals, as red is classic with more sugar and calories, while blue has less sugar, fewer calories, and sometimes added vitamins (D, E), both providing the same probiotic benefits. Choose blue (Light/Balance) if you're watching sugar/calories or need vitamin D, but pick red (Original) for the traditional sweet taste.
Why is the Yakult bottle so small? Yakult is not a thirst quencher but a health drink that provides specific health benefits. The size is convenient to consume every day and it contains more than 8 billion beneficial probiotic bacteria even in a small bottle.
Avoid sugary drinks whenever possible because not only can they raise blood sugar levels, but they can also contribute many calories to the recommended daily calorie intake.
Yakult has 38% more sugar than coke! A tiny 65ml bottle of Yakult has 2.4 teaspoons of sugar, whereas coke has 1.7 teaspoons of sugar per 65ml. Since Yakult comes in small 65ml sizes, it is very easy to consume 2-3 Yakult bottles in one-go.
Probiotics tested
Yakult, a yogurt drink, contained the amount of bacteria claimed, but failed the other two stages, and its rival Actimel fell short on the number of bacteria surviving in the stomach. The only product to pass all three tests was Symprove, a water-based barley drink.
Signs of bad gut health include digestive issues like bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, and heartburn; skin problems such as acne or eczema; mood changes like anxiety or depression; fatigue; sugar cravings; and unintentional weight changes, all stemming from an imbalance in your gut microbiome (dysbiosis). These symptoms can signal that your gut isn't processing food and eliminating waste effectively, impacting overall well-being, notes Healthdirect and GoodRx.
What are the best probiotic strains for older adults?
Yes, Yakult is generally considered good for gut health because it contains the probiotic Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Shirota (LcS) strain, which helps increase beneficial gut bacteria, improve digestive balance, and support immune function by surviving stomach acid and reaching the intestines alive. Regular consumption helps promote regular bowel movements and maintain a healthy gut microbiome, though benefits may decrease if consumption stops, notes Yakult Australia and Yakult Australia.
Studies have reported minor gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal cramping, nausea, soft stools, flatulence, and taste disturbance, occurring in subjects receiving probiotics.
Signs probiotics are working include improved digestion (less bloating, gas, regularity), better mood and mental clarity, stronger immunity, clearer skin, and potentially fewer infections, with initial digestive changes often seen in 1-2 weeks, while other benefits may take 1-3 months. Consistent use and matching the probiotic strain to your needs are key to noticing these benefits, from normalized bowel movements to better energy levels.
So for 7 days I set myself a challenge of eliminating it from my diet. The result: I feel so much more energised, less bloated, more alert, better sleep, better mood, less food noise, Less cravings to cap off all my meals with a pudding, I feel more positive and in control.
Spotting the red flags
Here are a few to keep an eye on: