Nutrition Hotline
QUESTION: I'm seeing probiotics in many vegan products. What are they? Are they something that I should be eating? I've seen chips that say they contain probiotics. Wouldn't frying the chips kill the probiotics?
G.M. via email
ANSWER: Probiotics are live bacteria and other microorganisms that are thought to have health benefits. In case you're wondering, bacteria are not classified as plants or as animals but have their own classification. They are called prokaryotes, which means that they are microscopic, single-celled organisms.
You may see probiotics featured on the labels of foods like vegan yogurts, sauerkraut, kombucha, tempeh, and miso. Vegan probiotic supplements are also available in tablet and capsule form. Many of the probiotics in products that are found on grocery store shelves are the same microorganisms that are found in our bodies, especially in our intestines.
In theory, eating foods containing probiotics or taking a supplement containing probiotics could help to increase the number of "good" bacteria in our intestines. Probiotics may be especially useful after an illness or when taking an antibiotic, either of which can disrupt the microorganisms that live in our intestines. Probiotics can help to prevent the diarrhea that may follow a course of antibiotic treatment. They also may help to control the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Because there are so many different strains of bacteria that are used in foods and supplements containing probiotics, more research still needs to be done before we can say with certainty that they are beneficial for everyone.
Both high and freezing temperatures can kill the bacteria and other microorganisms that make up probiotics. There are still questions about whether some of the helpful effects remain even if the microorganisms are no longer alive; however, it's probably best not to subject foods that contain probiotics to extremely low or high temperatures.
Today reports that one brand of kraut-containing chips adds probiotics to the chip seasoning, which is added after cooking since frying the chips kills some of the bacteria in the kraut.1
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health reminds us that critically ill patients, those who have had surgery, very sick infants, and people with weakened immune systems are at risk for having dangerous infections when probiotic supplements are used.2
References
1 Largeman-Roth F. 8 healthy food trends for 2017. TIME website. https://www.today.com/food/healthy-food-trends-2017-t106505. January, 2017.
2 NCCIH. Probiotics in depth. https://nccih.nih.gov/health/probiotics/introduction.htm#hed4. October, 2016.
