Bifidobacterium or Bifidobacteria are a type of gram-positive bacteria used as probiotics. Often simply called Bifidus, they have properties beneficial for the digestive system, improve digestion, and provide benefits to reduce allergy symptoms.
Content
- 1 Types and species of probiotic Bifidobacterium or bifidobacteria
- 2 What they are, what they are used for, and possible uses of Bifidobacterium
- 3 Do yogurts really contain bifidobacteria?
- 4 What is the Bifidus factor: pay attention
- 5 Are Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus the same?
- 6 Other similar yeasts and probiotics
Types and species of probiotic Bifidobacterium or bifidobacteria
- Bifidobacterium infantis
- B. Longum
- B. Lactis
- B. Bidifum
- B. Aktiregularis
- B. Animalis
- B. Breve
- B. Acidophilus
What they are, what they are used for, and possible uses of Bifidobacterium
They are microorganisms, live bacteria known as Bifidobacterium, Bifidobacteria, or simply Bifidus.
Bifidobacterium is a species of gram-positive bacteria, discovered in 1899. At that time, it was isolated and thought to belong to the genus Lactobacillus, but it was not until 1960 that this idea was discarded and it was assigned a new genus, which it currently belongs to.
Bifidobacteria or Bifidus have almost 30 species, all of them with common properties and some differences as with other genera of bacteria considered probiotics.
They can be identified because their name is compound, with the first word being “Bifidus,” “Bifidobacterium,” or its abbreviation “B” followed by the name.
While they are gram-positive bacteria, Bifidobacterium is also a saprophyte, heterotrophic microorganisms that feed on dead organic matter, and this is great because, within the digestive system, they will help us break down the food remnants we have not yet digested.
Thus, we can find bifidus with the names Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium longum, B. lactis, B. aktiregularis, animalis, etc.
If you are interested in knowing all the species that make up bifidobacteria, we indicate them below.
Possible uses against diarrhea and constipation
While many properties and benefits of bifidobacteria are promoted, one of their great advantages is their role in regulating intestinal transit and preventing some ailments that frequently affect adults.
When there is little regularity with bowel movements or they are too frequent, taking Bifidus for diarrhea will help the body stop it.
Likewise, against constipation, yogurts with Bifidus can be great allies. They make the intestines work better by including millions of microorganisms that will prevent fecal matter dehydration and promote intestinal movement.
Do yogurts really contain bifidobacteria?
It is very common to find yogurt with Bifidus (bifidobacteria) for sale, and although the properties and benefits of Bifidobacterium in yogurts are not entirely proven, there are many indications that they help digestion and control intestinal gas.
Yogurts with Bifidus incorporate millions of tiny microorganisms, live bacteria that are part of the intestinal flora.
This microbiota that makes up human beings is necessary for proper digestion of food.
Additionally, it helps to stop the advancement of other bacterial species that are harmful to health. These harmful bacteria cause infections and various disorders.
Bifidobacteria or Bifidus colonize the mucous membranes and tissues of the digestive system, modifying the pH and making it more difficult for other bacteria, the pathogenic ones, to grow and develop easily. So, although some of the benefits of bifidobacteria are not proven, they do have a very important role in the human microbial ecosystem.
Bifidobacteria in yogurts from Mercadona, Lidl, Danone, and some other well-known brands are added by millions. Their size is so small that an enormous number fits in just one pinch.
Properties of yogurt with Bifidus
They help the growth of the gastrointestinal tract flora, improving food assimilation and preventing indigestion.
The properties of Bifidus yogurt are:
- They prevent the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria (Enterobacteriaceae, Veillonella, Clostridium, Proteus, etc.).
- They help control diarrhea symptoms.
- They eliminate constipation.
- They make bowel movements more regular.
- They reduce the production of ammonia from decaying food matter in the intestines.
- They reduce the formation of intestinal gas and the side effects of flatulence. People who consume Bifidus yogurts have less gas and less need to pass gas and burp.
- They convert lactose into lactic acid, which can help with lactose intolerance.
- They increase the production of acetic acid by converting lactic acid.
- They regulate the functioning of the immune system.
People who regularly consume foods with bifidobacteria are less prone to poor digestion.
It is also proven that they can benefit young children and infants, in some cases preventing the so-called infant colic, although it is true that lactobacilli work much better for infant colic.
In children, Bifidobacterium improves the development of intestinal flora. When we are born, we do not have it. The human microbiota develops with age, and it is important to acquire it at an early age to prevent infections and gastrointestinal problems.
By consuming Bifidus, children's mucous membranes and parts of the digestive tract are colonized by bifidobacteria, reducing the growth of bacteria and microorganisms that worsen health by causing urinary tract infections and even necrotizing enterocolitis, inflammation of the colon in newborn babies.
Bifidus Activia or active
This designation is used for a probiotic yogurt from the brand Danone, often known as active Bifidus.
This type of yogurt is similar to other brands, with the exception that they have been treated with Bifidobacteria of the class Bifidobacterium animalis, as well as added vitamin B12, B2, and calcium.
As with most dairy products sold in tubs, they can have different fruit flavors such as strawberry, pineapple, plain, pear, coconut, etc.
Bifidus actiregularis Activia or aktiregularis
This probiotic strain has been named by the yogurt brand Danone.
Bifidus actiregularis Activia corresponds to the species Bifidobacterium animalis, meaning that the different names are the same.
Some commercial brands use different names to differentiate their product, but if we perform a microbial analysis, both Bifidus aktiregularis and B. actiregularis are identical to B. animalis.
What is the Bifidus factor: pay attention
The Bifidus factor is a compound with properties to accelerate the growth of Bifidobacterium (Bifidobacteria).
The Bifidus factor is produced in the human intestine, also in animals that have microbiota. It can also be detected in human milk as methyl-N-acetyl D-glucosamine.
Although it is a natural compound, some laboratories have isolated it to market it as a product to promote intestinal flora. It is common to find them as prebiotics, and along with certain types of fiber, they stimulate the growth and development of beneficial bacteria for health.
Are Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus the same?
They are different species of bacteria. Often confused due to their great similarity, especially for those not involved in microbiological research, their physical form, as well as their role in the body, differs.
Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are considered probiotics as they form the intestinal flora and other parts of the human microbiota.
These two types of microorganisms are often mixed, meaning that many dairy products and probiotic supplements include strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium to provide different bacterial species that will more effectively populate the urinary and gastrointestinal tracts.
Other similar yeasts and probiotics
References
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