| " Yup, there is such a thing as good-for-you bacteria. They're in the bacterial cultures used to make yogurt, buttermilk and other fermented dairy products such as kefir. " " These "friendly bacteria" fall into the nutritional hero category called probiotics because they promote digestive health, aid in nutrient absorption and enhance the immune system. " " That's more than just being friendly, that's powerfully important for disease prevention because the digestive tract plays a major role in the body's defense system. To find probiotics in foods, look for some seriously scientific sounding names such as Lactobacillus bulgaris and Streptococcus thermophilus on product labels. " " The U.S. government's Standard of Identity requires that yogurt contain at least those two kinds of bacterial cultures, but many brands, such as Stonyfield Farm, contain up to six, and Lifeway Organic Kefir Cultured Milk Smoothie boasts 10 live and active cultures. " " And it seems each kind of bacteria has its own role to play; Dannon Activia yogurt with Bifidus regularis claims it is scientifically proven to help improve intestinal health, while Dannon's DanActive drink contains L. casei, linked to boosting the body's immunities. " " Friendly bacteria are natural inhabitants of the human gut, but they can get wiped out along with the bad bacteria
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