On May 11th 2016, Channel 7 News featured a report on probiotics and claimed ‘probiotic drinks have no effect on the gut bacteria of healthy adults’. This report, along with other articles you may have read in newspapers across Australia have been generated in response to an article published by researchers at the University of Copenhagen in the online journal Genome Medicine.

This was not a new piece of research; it was a review of seven previously published papers assessing seven different strains of probiotics. Most of the products reviewed were capsules; one product was a sachet, another was a biscuit and only one was a probiotic drink.

This review did not assess any research on Yakult or the Shirota strain.

Yakult Australia is disappointed in the standard of this story, given that all the products featured on Channel 7, including Yakult were not included in the Copenhagen study. We are taking all necessary steps to correct comments made in the media in relation to Yakult.

A crucial point for a probiotic is to show a health benefit through the consumption of a specific strain. The Lactobacillus casei Shirota strain, unique to Yakult has over 280 peer-reviewed research articles showing its long history of safe and effective use.

We hope this information restores trust in our consumers, if you have any questions please contact us on our free call number 1800 640 023.

For anyone interested they can access the full study here.

Yakult is a Premium partner with the Essendon Football Club

Last week Essendon had a positive start to their AFL season.

Yakult and Essendon have similar visions for providing ongoing health and education programs to the community. As a Company, Yakult strives to contribute to the health and happiness of people around the world, through continual research and development for health and wellbeing.

We would like extend our support to Joe Daniher and his quest. Joe has invited footy fans to bid on the match ball he personally signed immediately after the historic round 2 game. The young forward is hoping to raise much needed funds for the Cure for MND foundation helping them continue the good work they do. Neither Yakult, the club, nor Joe are seeking any profit from this auction piece, so please bid generously!

The ball will be accompanied by an official Certificate of Authenticity.

Fans can bid on the ball until the 17th April 2016 right here.

To learn more about the work that the Cure For MND foundation do, please visit their website.

Prebiotic’ fibre is a type of dietary fibre that reaches the large intestine undigested. Including this type of fibre in your diet can help maintain digestive balance by providing nourishment for the beneficial bacteria in your gut. Not all fibre is prebiotic, the list below highlights which foods have a high prebiotic fibre content.

Based on this list, we thought of some simple ways to add a prebiotic punch to some of your everyday favourite meals:

1. Potato salad

Cooked and then cooled potatoes and spring onions are a great source of prebiotics, pair them together with a dressing for a delicious potato salad.

2. Pizza

Use whole wheat pizza dough topped with pizza sauce and plenty of vegetables including artichoke for a double dose of prebiotic fibre.

3. Muesli

Oats, dried fruit such as figs and dates and nuts such as cashews and pistachios contain prebiotic fibre; pair with some yoghurt for a prebiotic powered breakfast.

4. Baked beans on toast

Baked beans and rye bread are terrific sources of prebiotic fibre; the two together make a protein and prebiotic packed breakfast.

5. Pasta

Whole-wheat pasta, tomatoes, garlic and onion are all sources of prebiotics, team them together with some fresh herbs and parmesan cheese to create a delicious dinner for you and your beneficial bacteria!

* Some high fibre foods may result in gas production and can cause excess wind. Gas is produced by some beneficial bacteria when they break down fibre. To avoid digestive upset, increase high fibre foods slowly (over 7 days) to allow your gut time to adapt and avoid problems relating to excess ‘wind’.

Meg Sadler-Keary
Yakult Dietitian

We have microbes in our gut and all over our body. Microbes are living single cell microorganisms and include bacteria and fungi. There’s an astonishing number! Of course they’re invisible because they are so small. In our gut live microbes that literally keep us alive. Without these gut microbes our digestive system would not function efficiently; they help digest the food we eat, educate our immune system and help us resist disease.

We are all so different and so is the diversity of our gut microbes. Our microbial biodiversity reveals the number of different types that populate our body, and it’s better to have a larger variety. This biodiversity is determined from the time we are born when we inherit bacteria from our mother, and continues to develop in the first years of life.

Apart from the first years of life and diet, what other factors affect the distribution of different microbes? Well, as you would expect our everyday environment has an effect. Where we spend our time certainly influences our microbial biodiversity and this area is now being closely looked at.

If you spend most of your time indoors, in a controlled environment like an office, school or hospital, you are more likely to be populated with microbes normally found on skin and in saliva. Yes, microbes transferred through human contact. Also, microbial diversity isn’t exactly supported in enclosed environments where air is filtered, heated, cooled and there may not be any windows that open to allow for renewed air from outside.

If you spend more time outside, you are likely to be populated with beneficial microbes from soil and plants; yes the microbes found in nature. There’s a much greater diversity of microbes outdoors.

One consideration is to promote beneficial microbes that we want from the outside to come inside. However, the growth of beneficial microbes has been affected by our actions to control the sterility of our environments such as through the use of sanitisers, again having an impact on our health.

Tania King
Education Coordinator

Enjoy the festive Yakult packaging.

From everyone at Yakult Australia, have a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

As we start the countdown to the end of the year and the start of a new one, there are probably countless to-do-lists to get through – gift shopping lists, Christmas parties to attend, to writing New Year resolutions to usher in the next year.

Here a list to put a skip in your step and fill you with cheer as we count down to Christmas and the New Year.

1. Check your calendar – Identify the dates when celebrations are on and plan healthy meals for the days in between.
2. Focus on relationships – Food tends to take centre stage, instead take the opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones, doing activities that make this time of the year meaningful.
3. Celebrate a season of experiences – instead of buying more toys than the kids really need, why not spend the money on holiday experiences? Spend a day at the zoo, enjoy a boat ride, or camp in the backyard and donate the money to the less fortunate.
4. Rest up – Don’t skimp on rest during the month leading up to Christmas. You’ll only end up feeling run down, putting stress on your immune system. Take time to stop, relax and enjoy.
5. Give back – Too often we focus so much on ourselves, but the holidays provide ample opportunities to share with those in need.
6. Take walks – After the evening meal why not take a walk with the family to enjoy the neighbourhood Christmas lights and use the opportunity to squeeze in some physical activity and family time.
7. Join a Christmas fun run – Not only is it a lot of fun and for a good cause, but it will keep you active. Check https://www.runningcalendar.com.au/
8. Splurge wisely – holidays come once a year but the on-going parties and rich festive food can seem never ending, decide which foods to enjoy and which to leave.
9. Use a smaller plate – Only fill a side salad size plate with your favourites. This will help keep portions sizes under control.
10. Drink water – holiday beverages like eggnog, soft drinks and wine can add empty calories. Stay hydrated with water. At parties, alternate water with other beverages.
11. Set realistic goals – We can’t expect to change habits overnight, but a few reasonable resolutions with an action plan can mean we are able to achieve them.
12. Stay positive – it is human to overindulge one day or skip exercise the other, but don’t give up. Stay focused, positive and half the battle is won.

Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year from the team at Yakult Australia!

Dinah Woon
Yakult Dietitian

What makes a ‘superfood’ quite so super? Spruiked for their nutrient density and role in promoting health and preventing disease, the term ‘superfood’ has been used to describe foods such as blueberries, salmon, kale and acai (pronounced ah-sigh-hee).

So, where did the term come from? You may be surprised to know that there is no formal definition in nutrition science of a ‘superfood’. The term was actually created as a marketing platform to promote consumption of a particular type of food (or food product) for the proposed health benefits.

Since there is no set criterion for superfoods, we wanted to give praise to some everyday superfoods that are ‘super’ good for your digestive health.

1. Legumes

Legumes (include all forms of beans and peas) are packed full of soluble and insoluble fibre. This helps encourage the passage of food through the digestive system, add bulk and softness to stools and promote regular bowel motions.

A serve of baked beans (½ cup) serves up about 7 g of fibre, which is nearly a third of your recommended fibre intake for the day! Beans are also a great low fat food and a source of protein (perfect for vegetarians and vegans!).

2. Whole grains

The term whole grain is used to describe an intact grain, flour or a food that contains all three parts of the grain (meaning none of the goodness is lost!). Some types of whole grains include: wheat, oats, rice, barley, corn, triticale, millet, spelt and kamut.

Whole grains are a great source of fibre in the diet, contributing on average two thirds more fibre than refined grains. Grain foods also contribute other important nutrients including iron, magnesium, iodine, carbohydrates and B-group vitamins including folate and thiamine.

3. Fresh Fruit & Vegetables

Fruit and vegetables are another valuable source of fibre in the diet. Fruits and vegetables contain many vitamins and minerals including vitamins A (beta-carotene), C and E, magnesium, zinc, phosphorous and folic acid.

4. Fermented Foods

Fermented foods are made using live micro-organisms that convert carbohydrates into acids, gases or alcohol. Lactic acid fermentation is used in the production of many different foods and provides a sour taste to foods, helps with preservation and is known for it’s health giving properties. Lactic acid bacteria create an environment conducive to the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut.

5. Water

While not quite a food, water is essential to the maintenance of a healthy digestive system. It transports nutrients around the body, facilitates the passage of food through the body and helps soften stools.

Meg Sadler-Keary
Yakult Dietitian APD

It was more than 80 years ago and Dr. Minoru Shirota was convinced that beneficial bacteria were the key to a long and healthy life. His determination led to a breakthrough to successfully research a lactic acid bacterium with the ability to survive the strong digestive acids. The bacterium was named Lactobacillus casei Shirota strain. He then developed a fermented, milk-based drink to deliver the Shirota strain to the intestines and named it ‘Yakult’. Dr. Shirota had created the world’s first commercial probiotic drink, available in Japan in 1935. Today more than 30 million people in 33 countries enjoy drinking Yakult daily!

Celebrations for the 80th Anniversary will take place during the Yakult Convention in Japan in December. A number of staff from around Australian have been selected to attend the Convention, along with guests from around the world.

There’s also promotional signage on trams in Melbourne and buses in Sydney celebrating this special year. So keep your eyes open, you might see a Yakult tram when you’re in Melbourne or a Yakult bus while you’re in Sydney!

Tania King

Education Coordinator

Every two years, Yakult Honsha hosts the Yakult Convention in Japan.

The Yakult Convention is when the Company presents Outstanding Employee Awards to attending home delivery and sales staff from around the world.

So, a competition was held for Yakult Australia sales staff, with the winner awarded a prize to attend the Convention.

A role play competition would determine the winner. Competitions were held in the state offices, with finalists selected to attend the final in Melbourne in June. The finalists from each state were also selected based on points awarded for their on the job sales performance.

Eliseo Ilas is the worthy winner of the inaugural role play competition.

He is extremely excited about this opportunity to visit the company and attend the convention in Japan later in the year.

Congratulations Eliseo!!!!