Can You Drink Yogurt When You Have Diarrhea?

A lot of people, especially those with frequent digestive problems, wonder if it is a good idea to consume yogurt when you have diarrhea. Diarrhea is usually a sign of impaired intestinal microbiota. At the same time, it is associated with stress or a specific infection.

In any case, diet plays an important role in solving this problem and even prevents the occurrence of other complications, although sometimes it is necessary to supplement it with medication.

Regarding the consumption of yogurt, several pieces of evidence suggest that it is a beneficial food as long as it does not contain added sugars. In all honesty, yogurt is a nutritious and probiotic food that promotes the balance of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. What else do we know about this? Keep reading to find out!

Yogurt is a source of probiotics

One of the main features of yogurt is that it has an important content of beneficial bacteria (Lactobacillus, to be more specific). These microorganisms are able to settle in the digestive tract, which helps reduce the risk of developing metabolic diseases.

According to research published in the journal Nutrients, regular consumption of probiotic bacteria helps reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes, as well as certain types of cardiovascular disease.

There are several methods available to ensure a steady amount of beneficial bacteria in the intestines. The first is, of course, probiotic supplementation. In this case, it is best to choose a product with a single strain, rich in bacteria, which can ensure that they reach the areas of the intestine where they must form colonies.

It is also possible to introduce these microorganisms into the digestive system through regular consumption of fermented products, such as yogurt and kefir.

Can you drink yogurt when you have diarrhea?

As mentioned earlier, diarrhea is a gastrointestinal disorder that can have several causes. Most of them have to do with an imbalance of the intestinal microflora. For this reason, ensuring an optimal intake of probiotic bacteria can help treat diarrhea.

Moreover, a study in children showed that probiotic intake is able to prevent and treat diarrhea caused by antibiotic intake. This research used dietary supplements to achieve the results mentioned. However, you can consume natural yogurt regularly to enjoy the same positive effects.

In general, health professionals recommend the consumption of yogurt to patients undergoing antibiotic treatment. This advice has a clear goal: to increase the protection of the microbiota against the damage that drugs can cause. If there is no protection against them, the risk of dysbiosis-related processes and the development of gastrointestinal disorders increases.

Consumption of yogurt reduces diarrhea associated with stress

Therefore, a change in either system can directly affect the other. In this way, any process of stress or emotional disorders is able to increase the risk of suffering from diarrhea.

Moreover, to reduce the occurrence of emotional disorders, it is recommended to take care of the intestinal flora and improve your lifestyle. Consuming yogurt fortified with probiotics can also protect you from mood swings.

Kefir intake or supplementation with probiotics works just as well. However, there is a big difference between the two foods: flavor. Many people do not like kefir because of its texture and sour taste, while yogurt is usually quite sweet.

Of course, it is important to read food labels and choose a product that has no added sugars in the composition. Otherwise, you will consume low quality yogurt, which could have a negative impact on your metabolic health and blood sugar levels.

Consuming yogurt when you have diarrhea can improve the symptoms of this process and speed up recovery. However, we need to clarify something. You do not need to have diarrhea to start including this food in your regular diet.

In fact, yogurt is recommended in almost any diet because it provides probiotics, healthy fats and protein. In addition, it provides calcium and other minerals essential for iron health.

Remember to check the product label to determine if it is of high quality. Not all dairy desserts on the market fit into the concept of yogurt. Some contain too much sugar and have a low nutritional value.