Is Activia Yogurt As Healthy As It Seems? Here's What You Should Know
Yogurt is often at the top of the list when it comes to healthy snacks. It has a lot of protein, calcium, and live cultures that can help your body digest food.
Activia is one of the most well-known yogurt brands, and it claims to do more than just feed your body. It also says it will improve your gut health by easing common problems like gas, bloating, and stomach pain.
What about Activia yogurt? Does it live up to these claims? We’re going to talk about the science behind Activia, its ingredients, and whether it’s the best choice for your gut health.
What does the company Activia Yogurt say it does?
The official Activia website says that eating two cups of yogurt every day for at least two weeks may help ease gas, bloating, and general stomach pain.
Bifidobacterium animalis lactis DN-173 010/CNCM I-2494 is the unique probiotic strain that makes Activia work so well. Live cultures are in most yogurts, but Activia is the only brand in the U.S. that has this particular type of probiotic.
What’s Unique About Probiotics?
People often call probiotics “good bacteria” because they help keep the amount of good bacteria in the gut in balance.
For people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other digestive problems that happen often, having a good gut bacteria is especially important.
Researchers have looked into how the bacteria in Activia, Bifidobacterium animalis lactis, might help with stomach problems like gas and bloating.
But despite these claims, it’s still important to think about whether Activia yogurt is really as good for your gut health as it seems.
Different kinds of Activia yogurt
Activia has a variety of yogurts to suit the tastes and health needs of its customers. These are some of the most common kinds:
- Fruit and yogurt with probiotics
- Yogurt with probiotics and fiber
- 60-calorie yogurt with probiotics
- Soda with probiotics called “Dailies”
- Low-fat Activia+ yogurt drink
All of these choices have Bifidobacterium animalis lactis DN-173 010/CNCM I-2494 in them, which is the type that Activia says is the most important part for gut health. But most of these kinds have sugar or fake sweeteners added to them, which might not be good for everyone.
Does research back up what Activia says?
A study from 2021 found that Bifidobacterium animalis lactis seemed to help some people with IBS in a big way. Even though this is a good result, the studies that Activia’s maker, Dannon, did are not easy to find.
The company says that more than 18 scientific studies back up the usefulness of Activia, but it’s hard to know how much it helps without taking a closer look at these studies.
Most of the time, probiotics like the ones in Activia are safe and good for people with mild to moderate stomach problems. For those with major digestive problems, though, it’s best to talk to a doctor before depending on yogurt or probiotics alone to help.
Who Might Want to Eat Activia Yogurt?
Activia is sold especially to people who have gas, bloating, and stomach pain all the time. If you have these stomach problems often and want an easy, over-the-counter option, you might want to give Activia a try.
However, it’s important to do what the maker says: eat two bowls of yogurt every day for at least two weeks before judging how well it works. You won’t get enough probiotics from occasional drinking for your symptoms to possibly get better.
Which Activia item is best for you?
If you decide to try Activia, the type you choose will rely on your health goals and food tastes. To help you decide, here’s a list:
1. Fruit and Good for You Yogurt
This choice is sweetened with real sugar, so it’s not the best choice if you are watching how many calories or carbs you eat. That being said, it might taste better than other types.
2. Yogurt with probiotics and fiber
This kind has inulin, a fiber that is found in many plants. Fiber is very important for gut health, especially for people who have trouble going to the bathroom regularly. But be careful, because too much fiber in too little time can cause gas or bloating. If you’re not used to eating things high in fiber, start slowly.
3. Probiotic yogurt with 60 calories
If you are trying to control your weight or have a health problem like diabetes, this kind is not good for you because it has artificial sugars like sucralose and acesulfame potassium in it. Even though these sweeteners help keep calorie counts low, some study shows that they may make you want sugar more or make you gain weight over time. Because of this, if you are sensitive to fake sweets, you might want to find a yogurt that is naturally sweet.
4. Activia+ and Activia Dailies
The Bifidobacterium animalis lactis type in these drinkable choices is the same as in the other kinds, making them convenient for people who are always on the go. Even though these foods usually have fewer calories, they may still have added sugars.
Should you choose Activia?
A small amount of Activia yogurt can help your digestion if you have mild stomach problems like gas or bloating. But not everyone should do it. These people might want to think again:
People who are lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy: All Activia products contain cow’s milk, so Activia isn’t a good choice for you. You can instead look for options that don’t have dairy and have probiotics in them.
Vegans: Activia’s yogurt flavors are not good for vegans. There are a few types of plant-based yogurt that contain probiotics and might be better for vegans.
The Bad Things About Activia Yogurt
Even though there might be some benefits, there are also some problems you should think about before making Activia a regular part of your food.
Added Sugar and Sweeteners: Most kinds of Activia yogurt have added sugars, except for the 60-calorie variety. If you eat a lot of sugar over time, it can make you gain weight, get diabetes, and cause other health problems. Artificial sweeteners are in all of them, even the low-calorie ones, and they can be bad for you in their own ways.
No Plain Option: Activia does not sell a plain yogurt that is not sweetened. One big problem is that this means people who want the benefits of Bifidobacterium animalis lactis without extra sugar or fake sweeteners will not be able to get them.
Research Transparency Issues: Dannon says that a lot of research backs up the health benefits of Activia, but the company doesn’t make it easy for the public to look at this research. It is hard to fully understand how successful Activia is without being able to look at the data.
When to Seek Medical Help for Problems with the Gut
Activia yogurt might help with some mild stomach pain, but it’s not a miracle worker. You should see a doctor if you have serious stomach pain, especially if it comes with fever, bloody stools, or feeling sick.
These signs could be signs of a more serious illness that needs more medical care than a probiotic yogurt can give.
The Bottom Line
Activia yogurt has some good points, especially for people who have gas, bloating, or other mild stomach problems. Because it contains Bifidobacterium animalis lactis DN-173 010/CNCM I-2494, Activia yogurt has an edge over other yogurts on the market.
This could help improve gut health. There isn’t a plain version, though, and it has artificial sweeteners and extra sugars that make it less appealing to people who want a truly healthy yogurt choice.
If you decide to try Activia, make sure you take the two meals a day for at least two weeks to see if it helps your problems.
