Yakult vs Yogurt

Probiotics like yakult and yogurt are all the rage these days. But what exactly are these and are they safe? Continue reading to find out whether you should take probiotics or pass on this new trend.

There are numerous ways to improve your health and drinking cultured milk is one of the practices that has been done by people since ancient times. Today, you can buy cultured milk from a variety of brands, and it is commercially available in various forms – primarily Yakult and Yogurt, with a wide range of flavors and benefits to choose from.

However, you must’ve been wondering: is yakult better than yogurt? While both Yakult and yogurt are fermented dairy products, Yakult is thought to be far better than yogurt. Yakult contains a different probiotic strain than yogurt and has a thinner consistency, allowing it to be consumed and digested within seconds.

What is Yakult

Yakult is a well-known probiotic drink brand. This drink is widely available throughout the world and is enjoyed by people of all ages, from children to the elderly.

Yakult contains probiotics, which are friendly microorganisms found in the intestine. The probiotic in this drink is called Lactobacillus Shirota casei, and it is effective in promoting intestinal health as well as treating other conditions. [1]

What is Yogurt

Yogurt is a popular fermented milk product made with yogurt cultures. Yogurt is white, has a creamy texture, and has a sour/tart flavor.

Yogurt with active culture may benefit your gut by changing the microflora, improving the time food takes to pass through the bowel, and boosting the immune system. Yogurt can even help with diarrhea, which occurs in some people after taking antibiotics. [2]

Comparison: Yakult vs Yogurt

Both Yakult and Yogurt are cultured milk products made similarly. The bacteria used to produce fermented milk is what distinguishes them. Yogurt is commonly made with Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus, whereas Yakult uses the Lactobacillus Shirota strain.

Yakult	Yogurt
Is made from the Lactobacillus Shirota strain	Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus are being used to make this product.
It is available mainly in the original flavor	Available in a variety of flavors
It is available only in liquid form	Both – cream and liquid forms are available
Sugar content is present	Sugar is not present in the original yogurt

Is Yakult or yogurt better?

While both Yakult and yogurt are fermented dairy products, Yakult is considered to be far much better than yogurt.

The main reason is that Yakult contains a different probiotic strain than yogurt, which is acid-resistant and thus alive once it reaches the intestines, where it can confer its health benefits. On the other hand, not all yogurt brands contain live and active probiotic cultures. As a result, consuming regular yogurt may not provide you with the benefits of probiotics.

Health Benefits of Yakult

Yakult is suitable for adults and children. It is also safe to consume for pregnant women. One bottle of Yakult per day serves numerous health benefits to your body.

Yakult is high in beneficial bacteria, which improves overall health and helps in fighting against infections. Some of the top health benefits of drinking probiotic Yakult milk are as follows:

Helps to prevent constipation

The bacteria in probiotics soften the stools, allowing them to pass more easily through the body. Probiotics can also help with other gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea. As a result, drinking Yakult daily can help you overcome constipation. [3]

Reduces the probability of occurrence of upper respiratory tract infections

It boosts the body’s resistance to pathogens, lowering the risk of upper respiratory tract infections, especially in children. As a result, Yakult milk can help with the treatment of respiratory infections.

Reduces stress and anxiety levels

Our gut and brain are intrinsically linked. In humans, changes in intestinal bacteria can result in neuropsychiatric disorders such as anxiety or depression in humans. [4]

Reduces the risk of cancer

A microbial imbalance in the gut has been linked to an increased risk of autoimmune diseases, such as cancer. It also implies that probiotics have anti-cancer properties and can be used to prevent cancer. [5]

Improves heart health

The probiotics in Yakult help reduce inflammation and regulate cholesterol levels. As a result, it greatly helps in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and the refinement of heart health.

Enhances skin health

Intestinal bacteria and skin health are intrinsically linked. Healthy skin requires good bacteria in your intestines. Yakult contains probiotics, which support the treatment of various skin conditions. Furthermore, because Yakult contains no fat or cholesterol, it lowers the chances of developing acne. Taking probiotics regularly for some time can help you achieve clear skin.

How many Yakults can you drink in a day?

We recommend drinking one bottle of Yakult per day. However, it is perfectly safe to consume more than one per day as it will not harm you. But keep in mind that all foods and beverages should be consumed in moderation.

Many people drink it as part of their daily routine, but it’s entirely up to you. Drinking Yakult daily helps to maintain a steady supply of good bacteria in your intestines.

Health Benefits of Yogurt

Here are the top health benefits you get from yogurt.

Keeping your weight under control

Yogurt is high in protein and enhances your metabolism. Furthermore, it facilitates the burning of more calories throughout the day. Proteins keep you full throughout the day. As a result, you can limit your calorie intake and thus speed up the weight loss process.

Improves Your Immune System

Yogurt is highly rich in vital proteins and vitamins required for your body. As a result, yogurt greatly helps your body to fight against disease-causing microorganisms and elevates your immune system.

Promotes Good Heart Health

Yogurt is especially beneficial for improving your heart health. It enables you to keep your blood pressure and cholesterol levels under control. It also urges healthy weight management, which is advantageous to your heart health.

Yogurt Helps to Avoid Yeast Infections

You might be suffering from a yeast infection if you are experiencing itching and burning sensations in your intimate areas, mouth, throat, etc. Cold yogurt enables the restoration of the vaginal yeast and bacteria balance due to the presence of probiotic strains such as Lactobacillus.

Why Yakult is not good?

Yakult’s good bacteria reduce pathogenic bacteria, improve digestive health, and boost immunity, resulting in a lower risk of disease/illness.

Yakult, on the other hand, is not as healthy as it could be. The following are the main reasons why you should drink Yakult in moderation.

Excessive sugar content

Yakult has a fairly high sugar content (11.4 g). [6] Excess sugar consumption can lead to obesity and raise the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. [7]

Skimmed Milk

Skimmed milk is used to make Yakult. Skim milk powder is a terrible food source because all the nutritious fat has been removed. As a result, it may harm your body. [8]

Ultra-Heat Treatments

Yakult is subjected to an ultra-heat treatment to convert the milk into powder form. This treatment reduces nutritional content by killing milk proteins and has been linked to autoimmune diseases in some studies. [9]

Packaging for plastic bottles

When it comes to health, plastic packaging is not always the best option. Plastics have been shown to leach into food products, disrupting our endocrine system, affecting our hormonal and reproductive systems, and potentially causing cancer and neurological damage. [10]

Although Yakult may be beneficial for digestive and immune system health, the high sugar content combined with the risk of plastic contamination may outweigh the benefits, especially in the long run.

Is Yakult milk or yogurt?

Yakult is a fermented dairy drink with probiotic cultures rather than yogurt cultures. The primary distinction between yogurt and probiotic cultures is that probiotics are scientifically proven to have health benefits, whereas yogurt does not. [11]

Another distinction is the type of culture: probiotics are typically various species and strains of Lactobacilli or Bifidobacteria, whereas yogurt starter cultures are specifically Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus.

FAQs

Is Yakult a healthy drink?

10 billion Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota is found in Yakult. Yakult is high in beneficial bacteria, which improves overall health and helps in the fight against infections. Yakult probiotic drink helps in the prevention of constipation, improvement of digestion, and the development of immunity.

Is Yakult a good probiotic?

Yakult’s exclusive probiotic LcS boosts the number of beneficial bacteria in your digestive system while making it difficult for harmful bacteria to take over. Yakult has one of the highest concentrations of effective probiotics in the market, with over 10 billion Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LcS) in each bottle.

Can I lose weight by eating yogurt only?

Yogurt may be most effective for weight loss when it is used to replace high-calorie, low-protein foods rather than simply added to your diet. This dairy product may naturally lead you to eat fewer calories throughout the day because it may help you feel fuller for longer.

Can yogurt make you bloated?

Because plain yogurt contains probiotics, which are known to regulate digestion, it can help your stomach. However, if you consume flavored yogurt that is high in sugar, your body will ferment more, resulting in more gas and bloating.

Can I use Yakult instead of yogurt?

While both Yakult and yogurt are fermented dairy products, they are not the same thing. The primary difference is that Yakult contains a different probiotic strain than yogurt, each with its own set of health benefits. Another notable difference is that Yakult has a thinner consistency and is intended to be consumed as a beverage, whereas yogurt is thicker and less beverage-like.

Wrapping Up

Overall, the choice is entirely yours. Yakult and yogurt are not meant to be substitutes for one another and are best when consumed together to reap the most benefits. They both taste good, depending on your preferences. In our opinion, you should consume whatever you believe is best for your body.

Furthermore, if you experience digestive issues after taking probiotics, something else may be wrong, so consult your doctor or a dietitian to get to the root of the issue.

However, keep in mind that probiotics aren’t the only thing that matters when it comes to digestive health. Eating a well-balanced diet with plenty of fiber and getting some exercise every day is also important for improving digestion.