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Question

We eat lactobacillus along with curd isn't it harmful for us?

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Solution

Lactobacillus is a healthy bacteria. Bacteria is often thought with a negative connotation, however, this is not totally true.

ALL fermented foods contain probiotics like lactobacillus, and they help your body to have more good bacteria. Your ratio of good to bad bacteria affects how your overall health.

For detailed explanation read further

Probioticobiotic means a substance which contains and stimulates the growth of beneficial bacteria in our body.

Examples of probiotic foods are curd or yoghurt, fermented vegetables (Sauerkraut), Miso soup (fermented soybeans), fermented cheeses (Gouda, Cheddar and Swiss), fermented bread (Sourdough bread) and sour pickles.

probiotic bacteria should have the following characteristics

  1. Ability to resist and pass through gastric acids and pepsin in the stomach.
  2. Ability to grow in the intestine in the presence of pancreatin and bile salts.
  3. Antibiotic resistance.
  4. Adhesion to epithelial lining of the intestine.
  5. Antimicrobial activity against pathogens.
  6. Inhibition of pathogen adhesion to the intestines.
  7. Immunomodulation potential.

Curd is formed from milk. Milk contains the sugar lactose and protein casein. Bacteria like Lactobacillus grow on lactose and produce lactic acid as a byproduct (process of fermentation). Production of lactic acid decreases the pH of the milk which further denatures or curdles the milk protein casein.

Home made curd contains different species of the genus Lactobacillus like L. fermentum, L. acidophilus, L. confusus, L. delbruckii, L. lindneri and L. helveticus. Leuconostoc lactis is also reported to occur in homemade curd.

L. acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium bifidum are found in commercial curd

Any probiotic food has the following benefits

  • Improves digestion.
  • Boosts immune system.
  • Prevents urinary tract infections.
  • Heals inflammation in the intestines.
  • Improves bowel movement and
  • Fights food-borne illnesses.

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