Probiotic Milk

[Son of Butch]

Interesting study by Sahlgrenska University in Sweden.
Women who drank probiotic milk (milk containing 'friendly' bacteria) during the first 5 months of pregnancy had a
20% reduction in premature births. Drinking probiotic milk before pregnancy or after 5 months had no effect on
premature births.

Pregnancy is a time of rapid change, different exposures can have differing effects depending on timing of exposure.
The study was only statistical observation involving 70,000 women in Norway during a 10 year time period.
So as of now no claims can be made about probiotic milk preventing pregnancy complications.
But it is interesting and I expect more study of probiotics might be rewarding.

 

[ohiosteve]

Does that mean unpasteurized milk?

 

[Son of Butch]

Probiotic milk can use either raw milk or pasteurized milk (just like yogurt) but not ultra pasteurized milk.
Because bacteria need a medium that can nourish bacteria growth.
Most probiotic milk uses pasteurized milk, heated to kill pathogens, then the selected strains of beneficial bacteria
are added to it.