You know the things I mean, Actimel, Yakult etc.

I know that they are meant to top up the beneficial bacteria in our gut but do you ACTUALLY feel better for taking them?

I was going to try them but thet are quite expensive and I wondered if they were more of a gimmick than anything else ?

From having lived in Japan I know that Yakult is practically a 'way of life' over there (it was developed by a Japanese doctor). My sister who suffers from IBS (and hopefully will never log on to the Forum!) swears by it to keep her digestive system working properly.

Similarly, I swear by a glass of red wine to keep my digestive system working properly.

If you shop around you will usually find Actimel on a two for one offer in one of the major supermarkets.

I have one of those little fellas every morning, they put a spring in your step!

we use muller vitality, i feel it does give a kickstart in the morning better than tea or coffe

Originally posted by Mo
You know the things I mean, Actimel, Yakult etc.

I know that they are meant to top up the beneficial bacteria in our gut but do you ACTUALLY feel better for taking them?

I was going to try them but thet are quite expensive and I wondered if they were more of a gimmick than anything else ?

I take them from time to time, and I have to say I do feel better when I take them - certainly my digestive system is much better behaved :thumbsup:

StarSparkle

Is DanActive the same as Actimel, google seems to think so !

Originally posted by JonJParr
Similarly, I swear by a glass of red wine to keep my digestive system working properly.

A much more pleasant way of doing it, rather than drinking a little bottle of what tastes like vomit.

Originally posted by nick2
A much more pleasant way of doing it, rather than drinking a little bottle of what tastes like vomit.

Hear, hear! Plus you get those fantastic little tannins in a wine too which are good for the heart as well as the gut.

The only issue I have with such drinks is the advertising.

'contains friendly bacteria...'

It's a very patronising and doesn't explain a great deal.

Originally posted by Andy78
The only issue I have with such drinks is the advertising.

'contains friendly bacteria...'

It's a very patronising and doesn't explain a great deal.

I think it's hilarious when they create a name for a bacterial culture (eg. Biffidus Digestivum). It's so obviously made up! I'm sure there's no bacterial culture where the root of the species name is "digestive".

Originally posted by nick2
A much more pleasant way of doing it, rather than drinking a little bottle of what tastes like vomit.

What an apt description nick2! Tried one once - disgusting stuff.

I'm with JohnJParr on this one - give me a glass of good red wine anyday!

i drink strawberry actimel every morning.

Once i missed a week, and i didn't have the same spurt.

Yakult i found was minging, i couldn't drink the bottle it was so vile.

I often wonder what (if any) the difference is between taking one of these pricey drinks each morning and just eating a bit of live yoghurt, as I do. I presume they have a higher concentration of bacteria, but does this make a difference? Are the bacteria in Yakult etc. "friendlier"? Or is it all just a big con?

Incidentally, I've taken to making my own yoghurt recently, as per the instructions in the excellent Moro cookbook (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/009188084X/sumptionorg-21/). It's a bit long-winded but quite fun & relaxing in the same sort of way as making bread or risotto is relaxing. To make it, you take approx. 2 litres of milk (preferably full-fat) and heat it slowly (stirring often to prevent burning) until it reduces by 1/3rd to 1/2. Then stir in about 200ml of double cream and leave it to cool until you can just leave a finger in the mixture for ten seconds. Then add a bit of live yoghurt (about 1 small pot, or perhaps a capsule of Yakult will do the trick) and stir well. Cover it (I put clingfilm and then a tea-towel over it) and leave it somewhere warm (in the airing cupboard, or by a sunny window) for about eight hours. The warm milk mix gets the "friendly" bacteria in the live yoghurt multiplying, which turns the whole mixture into a lovely live yoghurt, much creamier and less sharp-tasting than shop-bought yoghurt.

I used to make live yoghurt in a vacuum flask. Similar process if I remember .......... heat the milk, allow to cool until warm then add a tub of live yoghurt. Pour into a flask and leave. Much nicer with fruit puree added.

I suffer from diverticular disease [ a very common ailment among the over 50s] When any inflammation occurs[ bowel region] all i do is go on a few days of Yakult and it sorts it.