Acidophilus Milk

Acidophilus milk is normal cow milk that is cultured with acid loving bacteria called lactobacillus acidophilus. Usually, sterile milk is fermented with these bacteria for 18 to 24 hours under warm conditions. After fermentation, the milk becomes a bit tangy to taste and appears thicker than normal milk. However, it is not as thick as yogurt or curds. Acidophilus milk is best prepared in low fat milk. Acidophilus bacteria are probiotic in nature and reside normally in the human gut. Probiotic bacteria are helpful bacteria that help us in easy digestion. Acidophilus milk is gaining popularity day by day as it helps to promote a healthy GI tract. According to the ‘American Dietic Association’, consuming probiotics is beneficial as it supports a healthy bowel and also boosts the immune system. In addition, Lactobacillus acidophilus produces vitamin A, lactase, and antimicrobial substances that support better health, according to studies conducted at ‘National Institutes of Health’. In addition to it, studies have suggested that acidophilus bacteria can be beneficial in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis in women, although further investigation is pending to confirm the finding.

Acidophilus Milk Benefits

Probiotic Supplements
These acidophilus bacteria produce lactic acid in the gut that helps to keep away other harmful bacteria that may cause irritation in the intestine and infection of the stomach. In addition, the essential vitamin K secreted by these bacteria is an important factor for blood clotting. Also, the lactase enzyme produced by the bacteria, aids in milk sugar digestion. So, acidophilus milk is safe for people who are generally lactose intolerant. Patients undergoing an antibiotic course to treat any infection are often prescribed a dose of probiotics to help restore the beneficial bacteria in the gut that might get killed as a side effect of antibiotics. Acidophilus milk is a good probiotic supplement that helps restore these friendly bacteria in the gut. Acidophilus milk is also helpful to prevent diarrhea and constipation.  Many studies have suggested that when acidophilus milk is combined with chemotherapeutic preparation, it can effectively treat many diseases like pneumonia, typhoid, and paratyphoid. Apart from its probiotic nature, acidophilus also helps in vitamin B (B12, folic acid, B6, and niacin) production. The bacteria also helps to regulate cholesterol level. Nevertheless, consuming too much bacteria can disrupt the natural flora of the gut, so it is always recommended to take probiotic supplements under strict medical supervision.

Acidophilus Milk For Babies
It is safe to give acidophilus milk to babies who are intolerant to whole cow’s milk. The best way is to maintain a health diary to see if your baby can digest acidophilus milk without any signs of intolerance. Acidophilus supplements are also commercially available in the form of chewable tablets, capsules, or as liquid supplements.

Other Significant Benefits Of Acidophilus Milk
Some studies have shown that acidophilus milk help relieve symptoms of asthma and allergies. Some studies have found that acidophilus milk is beneficial to ward off cedar-pollen allergies; however, further research and studies are needed to confirm this finding. The bacteria are naturally present in the vaginal area and help prevent yeast or harmful bacterial infection. The organic acid produced by acidophilus prevent pathogenic bacteria to grow in the cervix and the vaginal area. Acidophilus milk is particularly beneficial to treat traveler’s diarrhea occurring from food and water contamination. The milk can also be used to treat diarrhea is children occurring from rhotovirus. Further, it can also be safely given to diarrhea patients who are lactose intolerant otherwise.