Probiotics in active or inactive form
Probiotics come in various forms. The most common being dairy products or powder. Probiotics in the form of dairy products are already active. When in powder form, such as Winclove’s formulations, the bacteria are lyophilized (freeze-dried). This means all water is extracted from the bacteria, and they are put in a dormant, inactive state. The advantage of lyophilization is a considerably longer shelf-live as well as the possibility to combine multiple strains of bacteria. Probiotics in capsule form, also contain lyophilzed bacteria.
Activate the bacteria in liquid before consumption
In order to wake up and activate lyophilized probiotic bacteria, they need to be rehydrated. This is done by adding them to a liquid, stirring and waiting for at least 10 minutes. However, probiotic bacteria cannot be added to just any kind of liquid. A lyophilized bacterium not only no longer contains any water, its cell membrane is also perforated with tiny holes. During rehydration, liquid enters the bacterial cell and restores the cell membrane. When this is done by an acidic liquid (such as stomach acid, fruit juice or a carbonated drink) or hot liquid, the bacterial cell may become damaged, and cannot be activated properly.
Dissolve in water or dairy
Water (either cold or lukewarm) or dairy, such as cold milk or yoghurt, are the best liquids for dissolving and activating probiotic bacteria. They are not too acidic, nor is the temperature too high. Yoghurt, for example, has a pH-value of 4-5. In comparison, orange juice has a pH of 3.5, carbonated drinks of 3.0, and stomach acid of 1.0! Dissolving probiotic bacteria in water or dairy helps them to wake up and become metabolically active, making them capable of passing the gastro-intestinal tract and do what they are supposed to do: improve host health.
What is the pH-level (acidity level) of some popular drinks/liquids?
Lemon juice 2.25
Orange juice 3.8
Apple juice 3.5
Gatorade 2.9-3.2
Vitamin Water 2.9-3.6
Coca-Cola 2.3
Coca-Cola Diet 3.1
Pepsi 2.3
Dr. Pepper 2.8
Fanta 2.8
7-UP 3.2
Redbull 3.4
Icetea 2.9
Source: REDDY, Avanija, et al. The pH of beverages in the United States. The Journal of the American Dental Association, 2016, 147.4: 255-263.
Turbo reduces waiting time to 1 minute
To reduce the 10 minute waiting time after adding the probiotic to a liquid, Winclove has developed Turbo as part of the special matrix to add to our probiotic formulations. This matrix supports the stability and activity of the bacteria in the products. The addition of Turbo shortens the rehydration time of 10 minutes to only 1 minute waiting time. For more information on how TURBO improves rehydration time as well as metabolic activity, please click here .
