Activia yogurt contains the probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis (Bifidus Regularis), which some studies have shown can improve digestive transit time and occasional constipation. However, other studies have found no effects. While some clinical trials found Activia improved IBS symptoms and gastrointestinal well-being, it was subject to lawsuits in 2008-2010 for exaggerated health claims not fully backed by studies. More research is still needed to establish proof of all of Activia's probiotic claims.

1. By Probiotics Expert: Dr. Raga

2.  Activia is one of the biggest
brands of probiotic in the
market nowadays.
 This probiotic yogurt brand
contains Bifidus
Regularis, which is a
friendly bacteria that
naturally maintains the
balance of the digestive
system.
 It claims to have significant
effects on the improvement
of slowed digestive transit.

3.  Bifidus Regularis
-This is the marketing name
given to the probiotic
strain, Bifidobacterium
lactis, that was used for the
activia yogurt.
-It is an active probiotic
culture that can survive its
passage through the
digestive tract while
maintaining sufficient
number of live probiotics.
-Activia is the only probiotic
yogurt in the world which
contains Bifidus Regularis.

4.  Helps the digestive
system to function in
optimal state
 Promotes improvement
of digestive transit which
is slowed
 Regulates the
gastrointestinal
environment

5. 1. Studies which show the ability of Bifidus
Regularis to survive passage along the
intestinal tract
 The B. Lactis that is included in activia has
been discovered to last up to 90 minutes at the
stomach.
 The amount of B. Lactis stays the same from
the point it enters the mouth up to the moment
it exits through feces.

6. 2. Clinical studies on activia’s claims of benefits
for occasional regularity
 In a blind crossover study from Alimentary
Pharmacology & Therapeutics, researchers
found out that the intake of yogurt with Bifidus
strain can significantly improve digestive
transit time which is usually 40 hours or more
in women.
 Four clinical trials have shown that transit time
for digestion can be improved with dairy
products containing Bifidus strain.

7.  A clinical trial wherein 72 volunteers (36 females
and 36 males) are given fermented milk with B.
Lactis have statistically significant improved
colonic transit time of 20.6 % and sigmoid transit
time of 38.9%. In this trial, results are more
prominent in the female volunteers.
 In other studies, activia has been proven to be
effective when taken thrice a day for two weeks.
 However, there is a contradicting study wherein 19
out of 267 patients had no reported changes in the
quantity, consistency, or frequency of stools.

8. 3. Clinical trial for improved symptoms caused by
irritable bowel syndrome
 According to a randomized controlled study, 267
people, who have been experiencing constipation
caused by IBS, have reported more frequent bowel
movements as well as lesser instances of bloating
and abdominal discomfort. This is due to the two
4oz activia servings per day that they consumed.
These significant results occurred after 3-6 weeks
of activia usage compared to those who consumed
yogurt which has been heat-treated.

9. 4. Research on activia’s impact on gastrointestinal
well-being
 There have been a crossover, double blind,
randomized trial which studies activia’s effect on
the digestive symptoms, gastrointestinal well-
being, and health-related quality of life among
women.
 There are 240 women who were recruited for the
study. These women have a weight range of (BMI,
18–30kg/m2) , a broad age range (ages 18–60
years), and bowel frequency (3–21 stools per
week) who have minor digestive disorders and
were typical consumers of dairy product.

10.  In the end of the study, significant results in
gastrointestinal well-being and stool
consistency were observed to be higher in
women who have consumed activia than those
who did not (control group.)

11.  In the years 2008-2010, when activia is just
starting all the hype for probiotics
yogurt, several lawsuits have been filed against
the company behind its advertising. The
lawsuits are pressed against the company for
its misleading and exaggerated advertisements
about the health benefits of the product when
in truth, it doesn’t really have backup studies
to prove them.

12.  Probacto is the best probiotic that I have ever
run into. They use multiple strains and they are
spore forming so they can last while not
refrigerated. They do not use cheap bacteria, but
expensive ones such as B. Subtilis.
 Probacto also contains prebiotics to help
stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria in
your gut.
 Probacto contains digestive enzymes to assist in
your digestion.
 Probacto is enteric coated and made to be slow
release so it will release in your gut gradually.

13.  Despite the controversies surrounding the
activia probiotic yogurt, it is still one of the
biggest names in probiotics yogurt market.
Additionally, there have been no dangerous
effects which are associated with it. So, giving
it a try would not probably cause harm.
However, more studies should be conducted
to establish proof for the claims of the activia
probiotic yogurt.