When you shop for probiotics, you have a choice of probiotic supplements, usually in the form of capsules, or probiotic foods, like yogurt or other fermented dairy drinks. While Europeans prefer to get their probiotics from foods, probiotic supplements are popular in the U.S.
Sales of fermented dairy products in Europe are three times what they are in the U.S. There are several reasons why probiotic foods are the preferred choice for getting probiotic bacteria. If you choose a probiotic supplement, you're getting beneficial bacteria, but not necessarily some of the much-needed nutrients you might get from a probiotic conventional food or the beneficial compounds that the cultures produce during fermentation . On the other hand, fermented dairy products, like yogurt, are source of calcium, riboflavin, vitamin B12, potassium and certain amino acids, all nutrients that are critical for good health. In addition, during the fermentation of dairy foods, new products such as functional peptides are formed, which research shows may have beneficial effects.