Is 'Activia' better than regular yogurt?

Question

What's all this hoopla about 'bifidus regularis'? Does all yogurt have this? Or is Activia the only kind of yogurt that can 'regulate your digestive system'?

Answer 1

Activia is a low-fat yogurt produced by Danone (Dannon in the U.S.) and sold in pots of 125 g. Activia contains a biological culture that Danone has branded with the names Bifidus digestivum (UK), Bifidus regularis (US), Bifidobacterium Lactis (Canada), Bifidus Essensis (Germany, Austria and Czech Republic) and Bifidus Activo (Spain and Portugal). It also contains vitamin B12 and calcium.

Activia is available in strawberry, peach, coconut, vanilla, blueberry, prune, fig and rhubarb varieties.

Danone claims that the 'good bacteria' in the yogurt can help digestive discomfort and regularity but many people criticize it for just being an advertising ploy. Indeed, there is some evidence that yogurt cultures can improve digestion and health, but Danone has come under criticism for appearing to have invented and trademarked fake Latin names for bacterial cultures. For example, they claim the culture "Bifidus Regularis" is not available in any other yogurt in the world.

Activia has been sold all over Europe for many years, and now has entered USA with an agressive ad campaign.
Bifidus Digestivum, Bifidus Regularis and Bifidobacterium Lactis are marketing names generated by Danone (known in the United States of America as Dannon) for one of the specific bacteria it uses in its "Activia" range of yoghurt products. The source of "Bifidus" is probably from the intestinal bacterium Bifidobacterium Bifidum. "Digestivum" is an invented word which uses "digestive" as a root to suggest beneficial effects on digestion, combined with the latinate ending "um" to suggest a scientific derivation.
Bifidobacteria are normal inhabitants of the human and animal colon. Newborns, especially those that are breast-fed, are colonized with bifidobacteria within days after birth. Bifidobacteria were first isolated from the feces of breast-fed infants. The population of these bacteria in the colon appears to be relatively stable until advanced age when it appears to decline. The bifidobacteria population is influenced by a number of factors, including diet, antibiotics and stress.

Answer 2

Activia Vs Yogurt

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Is 'Activia' better than regular yogurt?
What's all this hoopla about 'bifidus regularis'? Does all yogurt have this? Or is Activia the only kind of yogurt that can 'regulate your digestive system'?

Answer 4

I think firstly, you need to figure out why your taking yogurt. if it is for the gut bacteria, then i would suggest get something that is well documented not well advertised. If i'm not mistaken, current of the shelves contains good bacteria BUT there's preservative in it. So, it became a calculated risk/benefit thingy like when your are taking a drugs.
So, I chose to stick with a nutrition supplement company that research and manufacture its own product. It claimed that a capsule is equivalent to 10 cups of yogurt and acid-resistent bacteria.
What is important is that it does the job and doesn't harm your body in the long run as well. And of course, it must be value for money too.
Thanks for allowing me to share.
"ask and you shall receive...answers"

Answer 5

honestly i think that yogurt is yogurt, but activia does claim to have other things in it that help with your regulatory system. i think the best thing to do when you go to the store is grab an activia and a regular yogurt and compare the ingredients to see if it has got better healthy things in it. i bet they are pretty much the same, but go ahead and try it, i have and it tastes wonderfully like regular yogurt. only more liquid to drink, not to eat with a spoon

Answer 6

All yogurts with active cultures are good for the digestive tract. Bifidus is one of several beneficial bacteria that produce this healthy cultured milk product. It enjoys some small advantages over Lactobacilli, but I feel that all yogurts are tasty and good for your health.

Answer 7

I've tried that yogurt and it was kind of like any other yogurt for me...If you want to poop regulary just take metamucil and vitamins...Fiber and vitamins will do a lot for your body..i started using those two things not only did it make me loose weight but i was pooping so much! like 30 minutes after i finished every meal! Seriously.

Answer 8

Don't believe all those ads. As long as it has live cultures in it it is as healthful as yogurt gets.

Answer 9

yogurt is suppose to be healthy and reduce weight but they claim activia regulates the bowel system in your body where reg yogurt doesnt do this

Answer 10

Activia apparently is the better choice to regulate your digestive system. My husband was diagnosed with colitis and his doctor has recommended eating Activia once a day.