We generally think of bacteria as harmful germs that cause illness. However, our body contains two different types of bacteria, both good and bad. Probiotics are made up of good bacteria and other microbes including yeasts that offer several health benefits when consumed or applied to the body. The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) defines probiotics as “live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.” In layman’s terms, probiotics are good for our digestive system and are believed to be gut friendly.

Current U.S. regulations for the use of probiotics are complex and largely depend on the intended use. Probiotics generally fall under food ingredients, dietary supplements, or drugs. There is no specific cell count level of the microbe that may guarantee health effects in a food product. However, 10⁶ to 10⁸ colony forming units (CFU)/g is perceived as adequate for reaping probiotic benefits. The most used probiotics contain species of genus Lactobacillus or lactic acid bacteria, and Bifidobacterium.