About 38 million bottles of Yakult are consumed every day across 40 countries and regions worldwide. As more people include Yakult in their daily routine, one of the most common questions we get asked is: can I drink it every day? For most people, the answer is yes!
Drinking Yakult every day can be a simple way to support digestive health and maintain a balanced gut microbiome.
Backed by 90 Years of Research
Each bottle of Yakult contains at least 6.5 billion live Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Shirota (LcS) strain, scientifically studied for their ability to survive the digestive system and reach the intestines alive (1,2).
Did you know?
Yakult has over 90 years of probiotic research focused on understanding how beneficial bacteria can support digestive health (3).
3 Benefits of Drinking Yakult Daily
Figure 1. Digestive system infographic (4).
- TheLcS Strain Survives the Gut to Reach the Intestines Alive
One of the biggest challenges for probiotics is surviving the journey through the stomach. The stomach contains strong gastric acid designed to break down food and act as a defence barrier against unwanted microorganisms. Many bacteria cannot survive this harsh environment.
One reason the LcS strain in Yakult is unique is its ability to survive the stomach’s acidic environment and reach the intestines alive (1,2). Once the LcS strain reaches the intestines, it interacts with your gut microbiota, the community of microorganisms living in the digestive tract, helping to maintain a balanced gut environment.
- Supports Gut Balance
Your digestive system contains trillions of bacteria that play an important role in digestive balance. Factors such as stress, poor diet, lack of sleep, as well as illness and certain medications may disrupt this balance.
Regular consumption of Yakult may help support a healthier intestinal environment by helping beneficial bacteria thrive in your gut (5). LcS strain in Yakult alters the gut microbiota by increasing the number of beneficial bacteria and bacterial diversity while reducing potentially harmful bacteria (5-8).
- Supports Regular Bowel Movements
Bowel irregularity can be influenced by a range of factors, including diet, hydration, stress, physical activity, and the balance of bacteria in the gut microbiota.
The LcS strain in Yakult is shown to encourage regular bowel movements by improving stool consistency (9).
As part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, drinking Yakult daily can support overall gut health. With consistent drinking of Yakult, people may notice benefits such as:
- Improved digestive regularity
- More comfortable bowel movements
- Reduced digestive discomfort
Figure 2. 3 Main Benefits in Drinking Yakult Every Day.
Why You Need to Drink Yakult Every Day
Probiotics are not permanent residents in the gut (10). They naturally pass through your digestive system over time, meaning their health benefits are temporary unless consumed regularly. That is why daily consumption matters.
To experience noticeable health benefits, we generally recommend:
- One bottle a day
- Consistently for at least two to three weeks
Tips to Make Yakult Part of Your Daily Routine
1. Drink Yakult at whatever time suits you
Some people enjoy it with breakfast, while others prefer it as a midday refreshment or evening drink. Choosing a consistent time each day can help build a lasting habit.
2. Include It in Your Regular Diet
For best results, enjoy Yakult alongside healthy lifestyle habits such as:
- Eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables
- Choosing whole grains and fibre-rich foods
- Staying hydrated
A healthy overall diet supports the growth of beneficial bacteria in your gut.
3. Make It Special with Recipes
Yakult can also be enjoyed in fun and refreshing ways, including:
- Fruit smoothies
- Yogurt bowls
- Sparkling fruit drinks
Looking for inspiration? Check out our social media pages for delicious recipe ideas, including our popular Mango Smoothie and Choco-berry Smoothie. Enjoy the fun and easy way to make healthy habits while exploring new ways to enjoy Yakult!
Final Thoughts
Drinking Yakult every day can be a simple habit to help support digestive wellbeing.
With 6.5 billion live LcS bacteria in every bottle, Yakult can be enjoyed daily as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.
Reference:
- Nagata S, Asahara T, Ohta T, et al. Effect of the continuous intake of probiotic-fermented milk containing Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota on fever in a mass outbreak of norovirus gastroenteritis and the faecal microflora in a health service facility for the aged. Br J Nutr. 2011; 106(4):549-56.
- Cox AJ, Makino H, Cripps AW, et al. Recovery of ‘Lactobacillus casei’ strain Shirota (LcS) from faeces with 14 days of fermented milk supplementation in healthy Australian adults. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2019; 28(4):734-9.
- Yakult Australia. Benefits [Internet]. Victoria: Yakult Australia; 2024 [cited 2026 May 15]. Available from: https://www.yakult.com.au/benefits/
- Yakult Australia. Digestive Health [Internet]. Victoria: Yakult Australia; 2024 [cited 2026 May 15]. Available from: https://www.yakult.com.au/digestive-health/
- Shima T, Amamoto R, Kaga C, et al. Association of life habits and fermented milk intake with stool frequency, defecatory symptoms and intestinal microbiota in healthy Japanese adults. Benef Microbes. 2019; 10(8):841-54.
- Matsumoto K, Takada T, Shimizu K, et al. Effects of a probiotic fermented milk beverage containing Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota on defecation frequency, intestinal microbiota, and the intestinal environment of healthy individuals with soft stools. J Biosci Bioeng. 2010; 110(5):547-52.
- Nagino T, Kaga C, Kano M, et al. Effects of fermented soymilk with Lactobacillus casei Shirota on skin condition and the gut microbiota: a randomised clinical pilot trial. Benef Microbes. 2018; 9(2):209-18.
- Kato-Kataoka A, Nishida K, Takada M, et al. Fermented Milk Containing Lactobacillus casei Strain Shirota Preserves the Diversity of the Gut Microbiota and Relieves Abdominal Dysfunction in Healthy Medical Students Exposed to Academic Stress. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2016; 82(12):3649-58.
- Sakai T, Makino H, Ishikawa E, et al. Fermented milk containing Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota reduces incidence of hard or lumpy stools in healthy population. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2011; 62(4):423-30.
- Joossens M. Unlocking the full potential of probiotics: refocusing on microbial demands. Chinese Medical Journal. 2020 Aug 5;133(15):1765-7