Probiotics, which literally means "for life", have been used for centuries as natural components in health-promoting foods. The Russian physiologist and Nobel-prize winner, Elie Metchnikoff (1845-1916) is considered to have been the inventor of probiotics. He was the first to suggest that consuming bacteria could have a beneficial effect on health. In 1907, he proposed that the acid-producing organisms in fermented dairy products could prevent what he called "fouling" in the large intestine and, if consumed regularly, lead to a longer, healthier life.
He based this theory, in part, on the observation that Bulgarians from the Balkan region of Eastern Europe, who regularly consumed fermented dairy products, especially yogurt, were known for their longevity and good health. Decades of microbiological and ultimately, basic and clinical research, have backed up Metchnikoff's original theory that certain probiotics can improve several intestinal functions.
Overview
