Enjoying a bowl of plain yogurt with a spoonful of honey can be more than just a culinary treat. According to two recent studies conducted by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, this combination not only adds sweetness to your breakfast, but also boosts the probiotics present in yogurt, thus supporting gut health.
The research team, led by Associate Professor Hannah Holscher, explored the impact of this mixture on the gastrointestinal microbiome, a common practice in the Mediterranean diet.
Yogurt, especially Greek yogurt, It is well known for its digestive health benefits thanks to the presence of probiotic strains such as Bifidobacterium animalis.
These bacteria help regulate intestinal transit and may have positive effects on mood and cognitive function. However, the digestive process itself can be a challenge for the survival of these probiotics, as digestive enzymes, while helpful in breaking down food, can also reduce the viability of beneficial microbes.
In the first study, researchers evaluated how four different types of honey (alfalfa, buckwheat, clover, and orange blossom) affected the survival of B. animalis in yogurt during simulated digestion in the laboratory.
Using solutions that mimicked saliva, stomach acid, and intestinal bile, they found that Yogurt with honey, especially clover honey, helped probiotics survive better in the intestinal phase of the digestive process.
To validate these findings, a clinical study involving 66 healthy adults was conducted. For two weeks, participants consumed yogurt with clover honey and heat-treated pasteurized yogurt, providing stool samples and information about their bowel habits. Their mood and general well-being were also assessed.
Honey improves the survival of probiotics in the intestine
The results confirmed that honey improves the survival of probiotics in the gut, translating the laboratory findings into a real-life human setting. However, No changes were observed in intestinal transit time or in the mood of the participants, which could be because they were all healthy individuals with regular bowel habits.
Furthermore, a follow-up study with 36 participants compared the effects of yogurt with honey and yogurt with sugar. Although the combination with honey was shown to maintain a higher amount of probiotics, there were no significant differences in health measures between the different conditions.
Professor Holscher stressed that while adding honey to yogurt can be beneficial for probiotic survival, it is important to remember that honey is an added sugar. For those looking to control their sugar intake, maintaining a healthy balance is essential.
Still, a little honey on unsweetened yogurt is an attractive culinary option that could be incorporated regularly into the diet. For added benefit, Holscher suggests turning this mixture into a parfait by adding fruit, seeds or nuts, which not only enhances the flavor but also increases fiber intake, further supporting gut health.
In conclusion, although consumption of yogurt with honey may not significantly alter bowel habits or mood in healthy individuals, it does appear to enhance the survival of probiotics in the digestive tract, which could offer long-term benefits for intestinal health.
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