What is Yakult?

Yakult is a fermented dairy probiotic drink initially created in Japan in 1935. It has a sweet, citrusy flavour and comes in 5 small plastic bottles topped with a distinctive red or blue foil lid.

The brand recommends that adults drink 1-2 bottles of Yakult daily, and children over eight months old can drink one bottle daily to maintain the presence of the probiotics in the digestive tract since the bacteria do not colonize your intestines.

It is important to note that since Yakult is a dairy product, people who are lactose intolerant should avoid drinking the probiotic drink. In addition, people not used to consuming probiotics may experience bloating during the first week of consumption as the body gets used to its presence in the digestive tract.

Yakult is a fat-free, gluten-free, cholesterol-free probiotic beverage. Each bottle of Yakult contains:

• 50 calories
• 15 mg sodium
• 12 grams carbs
• 10 grams of sugar (9 of which are added sugars)

Why is Yakult Popular?

Yakult is spread to 33 countries, including England, North America, parts of Europe, and several regions of Asia.

When Yakult gained popularity in Japan, the company expanded its brand internationally. It continued to market the product as a “health” drink, making them the biggest probiotic drink company that distributes 40 million units of Yakult worldwide daily.

Among the main reasons, Yakult garnered many loyal customers is due to the health benefits that it contains. The benefits of Yakult are from the live bacteria, which helps in digestive health. It helps maintain the health of microorganisms in the human digestive tract.   

According to research, Koreans tend to have digestive issues, which leads to them being diagnosed with constipation. Therefore, doctors suggest consuming probiotics which will help with stomach issues. The brand has also been heavily marketed as a healthy drink for digestive health, now consumed daily by people worldwide.

What Are The Health Benefits Of Yakult?

Yakult is rich in good bacteria that improve overall health and helps in fighting infections. Following are some of the most significant Yakult drink benefits.

• Helps Prevent Constipation: According to a study published, probiotics slowed the gut transit time by 12.4 hours. It also increased the weekly bowel movement by 1.3. The bacteria present in probiotics soften the stools to make them pass out easily from the body. Probiotics also help in managing other gastrointestinal issues like diarrhoea. Therefore, drinking Yakult daily can help you get rid of constipation.
• Reduces The Chances Of Upper-Respiratory Tract Infections: Probiotics regulate microbial imbalance in the host gut. It strengthens the body’s ability to resist pathogens and, thus, decreases the risk of upper-respiratory tract infections, especially in children. Therefore, Yakult milk benefits in managing respiratory tract infections.
• Reduces Anxiety And Stress: According to a Harvard study, a close relationship exists between our guts and brains. Changes in intestinal bacteria can cause neuropsychiatric conditions like anxiety or depression in people. Other studies suggest probiotics help reduce anxiety scores in people with anxiety symptoms. The depression score also reduces in people who consume probiotics daily. Since Yakult comprises a large number of probiotics, it can help in reducing anxiety and stress.
• Reduces Chances Of Cancer: As per a study, microbial imbalance in the gut can make the body prone to autoimmune diseases, including cancer. It also suggests that probiotics have anti-cancerous properties and can be an effective tool to prevent cancer. They delay the formation of cancerous tumours in the body and maintain sustainable physiochemical conditions in the colon. Thus, Yakult can avoid the chances of lung and colon cancer.
• Improves Heart Health: Probiotics present in Yakult help in reducing inflammation and also help in regulating cholesterol levels. As a result, it prevents cardiovascular diseases and boosts heart health.

What Are The Negative Effects Of Taking Too Many Probiotics?

While many health benefits are linked to probiotics, there can also be side effects. Most of these are minor and only affect a small percentage of the population.

• Taking probiotics may cause unpleasant digestive symptoms
• Amines in probiotic foods may trigger headaches 
• Some strains can increase histamine levels
• Some ingredients may cause adverse reactions 
• Probiotics can increase infection risk for some