Benefits of probiotics for the gut microbiota and their addition in dairy products and supplements

Abstract

Probiotics are living microorganisms that confer health benefits to humans, and their consumption must be associated with a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. The aim of this study was to verify the diversity of fermented milks and supplements with the claim of functional property by “probiotic product” allegation available in supermarkets and pharmacies in the Vale do Sinos region, Rio Grande do Sul, as well as to present the benefits of ingestion of probiotics related to intestinal microbiota. A research was conducted in supermarkets evaluating labels of dairy products (fermented milks) in which it was written that the product contained probiotics. To analyze the supplements’ labels, a survey was conducted at pharmacies in the same region, checking for supplements with probiotics, strains and amounts of microorganisms present. Six types of fermented milks and six types of supplements were identified. The benefits of probiotics on human microbiota include factors such as antagonistic effects, competition and immunological effects, therefore increasing the body resistance to pathogenic microorganisms. Although there are numerous studies signaling the health benefits of probiotics, there is still a very small variety of foods and supplements containing them that are available to be bought.

Keywords

• micro-organismos benéficos
• alimento funcional
• flora intestinal.