he American Gastroenterological Association estimates that digestive health issues overall adversely affect the lives of more than 65 million Americans. Symptoms associated with digestive health issues (such as constipation and diarrhea) can have an impact on a person’s quality of living. Incorporating healthy foods in your daily diet, such as Friendship All Natural Digestive Health Cottage Cheese that serve up “Pro-Active” nutrients including live (active) probiotics (good-for-you bacteria) and prebiotic fiber (food for beneficial bacteria), can help regulate and boost digestive health.

Digestive Health

The digestive system is comprised of a series of gastrointestinal (GI) organs that takes in food, digests it to extract nutrients and energy, and expels any remaining matter. The lower portion of the digestive system includes the small and large intestinal tract. The small intestine is where the vast majority of digestion and absorption of nutrients takes place. The large intestine is where residual water is absorbed before remaining matter is flushed from the body. The large intestine (specifically the colon) is also residence to the largest quantity of beneficial bacteria that further aids in the production and absorption of certain vitamins (especially vitamin K and vitamin B Biotin) and breaks down non-digestible fiber for the bacteria’s own nourishment. Thus having good digestive health is important in our ability to process nutrients and for overall general well being.

Intestinal Micro-flora

The average adult’s digestive system is home to about 100 trillion bacterial micro-organisms (collectively referred to as intestinal micro-flora or gut flora) including more dominant beneficial bacteria but also potentially harmful ones.  Beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium, is abundant in the large intestine of individuals after birth, but decreases over time with age and is replaced by other bacteria species. Having a balance of beneficial bacteria offers our bodies support in various functions including aiding in healthy digestion and vitamin production such as Biotin and vitamin K, and in healthful quantities helps provide a barrier effect against harmful bacteria by crowding out and inhibiting their growth.

Factors such as stress, bad diets, certain health issues, and even antibiotics (which kill good and bad bacteria) have been known to reduce the amount of good bacteria in one’s body, therefore causing an imbalance in the intestinal micro-flora.  

Probiotics

Probiotics, which means "for life", are beneficial bacterial cultures, such as Bifidobacterium, that can help boost the levels of naturally occurring beneficial bacteria in the gut, thereby keeping the intestinal micro-flora in balance. Research has shown that probiotics, as contained within one serving of Friendship All Natural Digestive Health Cottage Cheese*, when consumed on a daily basis helps maintain a healthy digestive system and supports reduced incidence of diarrhea and constipation.(1)

Prebiotics (Inulin)

Inulin is a natural prebiotic (soluble) dietary fiber. Specifically it is a non-digestible carbohydrate (resistant to digestion/absorption in the stomach and small intestine) that provides fuel for beneficial bacteria, thereby helping to stimulate the growth and the activity of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium. A common source of prebiotic inulin is the chicory root since it has one of the highest concentrations of this prebiotic fiber. Research shows that consuming 5 grams of inulin per day can help enhance digestive health.(2) One half cup serving of Friendship All Natural Digestive Health Cottage Cheese* provides a good source of fiber (oligofructose-enriched inulin) at 3 grams (10% Daily Value) per serving. This enriched prebiotic fiber, which is naturally extracted from chicory root using hot water, not only assists in maintaining good digestive health, but also has been shown to have increased support for calcium absorption and bone health over regular inulin.(3)

In addition to offering the “Pro-Active” nutrients of probiotics and prebiotics that work together to support digestive health, one serving of Friendship All Natural Digestive Health Cottage Cheese delivers a good source of calcium (10% Daily Value) to support healthy bones and is rich in protein (28% Daily Value) to help build and maintain muscle tissue. See our nutritional facts for more information.

Click here for our frequentely asked questions on digestive and bone health.

References:

(1) Multiple research studies published in the Journal of Nutritional Food in 2000 examined different age groups of volunteers who were given milk containing 1-3 Billion BB12 Bifidobacterium. Results demonstrated an improvement in digestive health, reduced incidence of diarrhea and constipation, an increase in the ratio of Bifidobacteria (good bacteria) to total bacteria was experienced, and the frequency of Clostridium perfringens (bad bacteria) was decreased.

(2) Human clinical research studies published in Nutrition Research in 2001 and 2007 demonstrated that intake of prebiotic fiber as low as 5g per day helps support digestive health by stimulating Bifidobacterium (good bacteria).

(3) Other studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2005) and British Journal of Nutrition (2002) shows that oligofructose-enriched inulin (fiber) intake as low as 8g per day helps support calcium absorption. 

* This information is provided for general guidance only. As everyone’s health needs are different, we recommend that you consult with your physician prior to incorporating a new dietary regimen. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.