Yakult Benefits

Yakult is a familiar, refreshing probiotic drink that you often spot on grocery shelves! Among the many things written on its packaging, the phrase “for digestive balance & intestinal health” highlights Yakult’s health benefits, making it more than just a nostalgic, tasty beverage. Probiotics are defined as “live microorganisms that improve your health when taken in the right amounts” (1). Yakult’s probiotic, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Shirota strain (LcS), is unique to Yakult and provides health benefits specific to this strain. Probiotics are identified by their three-part name, which includes the genus (Lacticaseibacillus), species (paracasei), and strain (Shirota). They can be consumed in various forms such as foods, drinks (like Yakult), and supplements. Different products contain different bacterial strains in varying amounts (2).

Digestive balance and intestinal health can be achieved by the LcS in Yakult from its 3 main qualities:

1. It survives through the gut to reach the intestines alive, which is important to gain its benefits

Substantial research has shown that the LcS strain can survive the gastrointestinal tract. A significant difference in faecal count (CFU/g stool) was observed after LcS consumption, compared to the baseline or the placebo group, demonstrating its survivability through the GI tract (3-9).

2. It improves our bacterial balance by increasing the number of beneficial bacteria in the intestines

Many studies have found that the LcS strain in Yakult alters the gut microbiota by increasing the number of beneficial bacteria and bacterial diversity while reducing potentially harmful bacteria. Participants’ beneficial bacteria continued to increase with regular consumption of Yakult. However, when they paused drinking Yakult, their gut microbiome returned to baseline within a month (7, 10-15).

3. It encourages regular bowel movements through improving stool consistency

Studies have shown that the LcS strain can positively influence the frequency of bowel movements, stool quality, and stool consistency. Participants who experienced hard and lumpy stools showed improvements in stool consistency, while those with softer stools displayed an improvement in defecation frequency. Additionally, a greater percentage of ideal stools (according to the Bristol Stool Chart: sausage-shaped and easy to pass) was observed in participants who drank Yakult compared to when they did not (7, 16-18).

To experience the benefits of Yakult, consistency is key! Probiotic bacteria do not permanently stay in your gut long-term, so drinking one bottle of Yakult daily is the best way to ensure you obtain and maintain the benefits of LcS.

It is recommended to consume Yakult daily for at least 2-3 weeks, along with a healthy, balanced diet, to support the key health benefits mentioned.

References

1. Hill, C. et al. Expert consensus document. The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics consensus statement on the scope and appropriate use of the term probiotic.  Rev. Gastroenterol. Hepatol.11, 506–514 (2014).
2. National Institutes of Health. Probiotics: What you need to know. Office of Dietary Supplements. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Available from: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Probiotics-Consumer/
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Utami T, Cahyanto MN, Juffrie M, et al. Recovery of Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LCS) from the intestine of healthy Indonesian volunteers after intake of fermented milk and its impact on the enterobacteriaceae faecal microbiota. Int J Probiotics Prebiotics. 2015; 10(2/3):77.
6. Truong MT, Duong VH, Trinh TTV, et al. Recovery of Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LcS) from the intestine of healthy Vietnamese adults after intake of fermented milk. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2017; 26(1):72-7.
7. 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.
8. Spanhaak S, Havenaar R, Schaafsma G. The effect of consumption of milk fermented by Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota on the intestinal microflora and immune parameters in humans. Eur J Clin Nutr. 1998; 52(12):899-907.
9. 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.
10. Nagata S, Asahara T, Wang C, et al. The Effectiveness of Lactobacillus Beverages in Controlling Infections among the Residents of an Aged Care Facility: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Double[1]Blind Trial. Ann Nutr Metab. 2016; 68(1):51-9.
11. 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.
12. Spanhaak S, Havenaar R, Schaafsma G. The effect of consumption of milk fermented by Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota on the intestinal microflora and immune parameters in humans. Eur J Clin Nutr. 1998; 52(12):899-907.
13. Aoyagi Y, Amamoto R, Park S, et al. Independent and Interactive Effects of Habitually Ingesting Fermented Milk Products Containing Lactobacillus casei Strain Shirota and of Engaging in Moderate Habitual Daily Physical Activity on the Intestinal Health of Older People. Front Microbiol. 2019; 10:1477
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. Van den Nieuwboer M, Klomp-Hogeterp A, Verdoorn S, et al. Improving the bowel habits of elderly residents in a nursing home using probiotic fermented milk. Benef Microbes. 2015; 6(4):397- 403.
18. Tilley L, Keppens K, Kushiro A, et al. A probiotic fermented milk drink containing Lactobacillus casei Strain Shirota improves stool consistency of subjects with hard stools. Int J Probiotics Prebiotics. 2014; 9