We’ve all heard of pro-biotics, these bacteria that are thought to have health benefits when we consume them. But surprising it seems rather than directly affecting our health some members of this group induce a change in our resident microbes that could give us health benefits.
Published in the Journal MBio, the researchers wanted to see the effect that administrating a single proboitic (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG ATCC 53103) has, not only on the host, but on the microbes living in our gut. They recruited 12 health adults between the ages of 65 and 80 for the experiment.
They found that overall the composition of the gut microbiota remained stable but that specific genes had their expression increased. So in other words, unlike what most people seem to believe, the probiotic did not cause a change in the microbes in the gut but affected their gene expression. They suggest further research is needed in this area.
Luckily I eat yogurt because I enjoy the taste and not to colonise my insides but interesting none the less.