The fermentation process is in practice for centuries. It was traditionally used to produce alcoholic beverages (ale), yogurt, bread etc. Though it was scientifically unknown, the process was in practice since time unknown. After the advancements in science and microbiology, it is now known that fermentation is a process which involves microbial activity. A fermented food means that the food is a byproduct of microbial activity. So do all fermented foods contain probiotics? Do they necessarily contain friendly flora that helps us?

What is Fermentation?

“Fermentation is a metabolic process which involves the breakdown of complex organic molecules in the absence of oxygen” – Scientific Definition

“Fermentation is a process used to produce by-products such as dairy products, alcoholic beverages etc. It is also a process to preserve foods” – Informal use

Yogurt is a classic example of the fermented product. It can be prepared at home or can be bought from a store. Before you buy yogurt from a store check the label. All fermented products sold in superstores do not contain probiotics. A meager label stating ‘live and active cultures’ does not indicate as probiotics.

A Probiotic Must:

• Contain live organism.
• Be beneficial to health when consumed in adequate numbers.
• Survive the harsh environment of the gut and must reach lower GIT.

Our body contains trillions of microbes. There is both good and bad flora in the gut. The friendly microbes which are confined especially to the digestive system will help in the digestive process and fend off the harmful bacteria. Any microbe which does not fulfill the above criteria aren’t probiotics. There is a misconception that all fermented foods contain probiotics. Most of the fermented products are pasteurized, heated and canned. This will remove all the microbes from them. Certain products such as yogurt which contain bacteria does not make it a probiotic source. The bacteria in yogurt is present for the process of fermentation. Not only yogurt, any fermented food which contain bacteria or any other microbe is not a probiotic unless it confers to health.

Do All Fermented Foods Contain Probiotics?

There are many fermented foods available out there in the market. People who find difficulty in fermenting foods at home can buy these. So do all fermented foods contain probiotics? Some manufacturers provide active strains of bacteria in their products. It is essential for everyone to read the label. The cultures must be active and must have a longer shelf life. The label must describe the specific type of the genus and species of the cultures. Most bacterial strains in these fermented foods (yogurt) do not confer to health or does not show any difference.

Health benefits of probiotics are strain specific. Yogurt, for example, is stuffed up with lactobacilli and streptococci strains. Not all species of Lactobacillus or Streptococcus are ‘probiotic’. Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus are considered as probiotics. A consumer must notice that the yogurt which contains the above two strains, confer to health in people with improper digestion. A healthy individual may not find any difference. Some yogurts with additional probiotic strains along with these live supplements are available. They can be beneficial too.

Before Buying Fermented Foods Check The Following:

• Check the label – Manufacturer must clearly mention the type of live strains, number of units and shelf life
• Pasteurised or not – Pasteurization will kill the microbes
• Canned – Most fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kombucha tea, kimchi etc are canned. Canned foods also destroy the friendly bacteria.
• Efficacious dose

The Ideal Probiotic

Most of the friendly bacteria find it hard to survive the harsh environment of the gut. For these bacteria to show any healthy effect, they must reach the lower tract of the gut and colonize. One strain which can survive such harsh conditions is Bacillus coagulans (BC30). This particular strain can survive the pasteurization process, heat (boiling or microwave), freezing temperatures and much more. Foods that contain BC30 are said to have good probiotic value. It’s not the resilience of this bacteria that makes it probiotic. The healthy effects of BC30 are so popular which made the market so viral that it is incorporated into many dairy products.

Wrapping Up

Probiotics are proved to improve the health in people with certain medical conditions such as diabetes, improper digestion, irritable bowel syndrome, leaky gut syndrome, mood disorders, skin disorders and much more. There is an intense research going on to find the exact effect of probiotics on human health. Before buying any probiotic or a fermented food, make sure that the manufacturer mentions all the details. Also, note that there will not be any immediate results after consuming these foods. Finally, the answer to our question, do all fermented foods contain probiotics is No.