The phrase ‘friendly bacteria’ is now part of the common lexicon. Umpteen television adverts for probiotic yogurts have used the tag line to quickly explain a broad scientific concept to a public after quick and easy health solutions.

However, probiotics are much more than just ‘friendly bacteria’. Although the most common types of probiotic are indeed certain types of bacteria, probiotics also cover other microorganisms such as yeast and bacilli. In fact, the WHO definition of probiotics is: “Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host”.

As you can see, probiotics is a very broad term indeed, one that can describe any type of microorganism whatsoever that confers a health benefit to its host, it is not just restricted to ‘friendly bacteria’.

As such, although use of probiotics is primarily recommended for digestive and intestinal conditions and affliction, this is only due to our current limited knowledge of them. These uses are the primary benefits thought to be derived from taking what are currently known as the most common form of probiotics. However, that is not to say that future research will not throw up other types of microorganisms that have radically different effects.

Research into probiotics is currently in its infancy, so it will be interesting to see what health benefits are thrown up in the future. For now it seems that many health professionals and scientists are satisfied that the most commonly known form of probiotics are helpful for digestive health, and this is why so many yogurts are now available with probiotics in them – they are seen as an easy way to help maintain good digestive health.

Quite where this area of study will go is uncertain at this point, but that is partly what makes it so exciting. For now it’s enough to just let that ‘friendly bacteria’ do its job.