Question

Curd is considered to be a probiotic food item because

• A. the lactic acid in curd helps to digest proteins in the small intestine
• B. curd contains lactic acid bacteria which are beneficial microbes
• C. lactic acid bacteria in curd eliminates the microbes which normally exist in the gastrointestinal tract
• D. the lactic acid in curd helps to digest the carbohydrates in the stomach

Answer 1

The correct option is B curd contains lactic acid bacteria which are beneficial microbes

Probiotics refer to live beneficial microbes that are used as food supplements to improve our health.

Curd has a high concentration of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The presence of LAB makes curd a probiotic food. This is because upon ingestion, the LAB present in the curd colonises the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and improves its normal microflora (microbes which are normally present in the body).

LAB is highly beneficial as it does not harm the normal microflora of the GI tract but is capable of checking the growth of disease-causing microbes.

The lactic acid plays no role in the digestion of proteins or carbohydrates.