Health Benefi ts of Probiotic Microorganisms

บทคัดย่อ

 Probiotic products are generally defined as food supplements containing beneficial microbes that give heath benefits to consumers. A good probiotic should be non-pathogenic, non-toxic and capable of exerting beneficial effect on the host. It should be present as viable cells and capable of surviving and metabolizing in the gut environment. The minimum count of probiotics in products is recommended at 106 cfu/g. The beneficial effect of probiotics consumption includies improving intestinal tract health, production of antimicrobial agents such as hydrogen peroxide and/or bacteriocin, protecting host from intestinal infection, stimulate immune responses and reducing symptoms of lactose intolerance. This article presents an overview on the health benefits of probiotics and their impact on consumers.