In the early 2000s, Activia yogurt gained widespread recognition, partly due to its well-known spokesperson, Jamie Lee Curtis, who represented the brand in advertisements for seven years. During this period, Activia’s parent company, Dannon, faced scrutiny from the FTC for allegedly overstating the health benefits of its products. In 2021, Curtis revealed that her involvement in the commercials was largely due to the financial stability they provided, allowing her to stay close to her family, which was a luxury not afforded by film acting (via Today).
While both the FTC and Curtis may harbor reservations about Activia, the brand has maintained its presence on store shelves for over 20 years, suggesting that its yogurt offers some appealing qualities. The brand now also offers probiotic drinks and various yogurt types, including 60-calorie options, fiber-focused yogurts, and Greek yogurt varieties (via Activia). This raises the question: What really happens to your body when you consume Activia yogurt?
What’s in Activia yogurt?
Activia yogurt is available in a variety of types, with the Probiotic Yogurt with Fruit being one of its most popular versions. Consumers can select from a range of fruit flavors like mango, strawberry banana, and prune. A four-ounce serving contains approximately 80-90 calories, 1.5 grams of fat, 15 grams of carbohydrates, four grams of protein, and eight grams of added sugar, depending on the flavor. Each serving also provides a good amount of calcium, potassium, and vitamin D. The main ingredients include reduced-fat milk, cane sugar, and real fruit.
Other Activia varieties cater to specific dietary preferences, such as low-fat, high-fiber, or low-calorie options. There is even a dairy-free version with flavors like Blueberry Acai, Raspberry Pomegranate, Vanilla Cinnamon, and Peach Hibiscus, using almond milk for those sensitive to dairy. The Probiotic 60 Calories Yogurt has no added sugars and uses non-fat milk, offering a lower-calorie option with traditional flavors like blueberry and vanilla.
You’ll add more probiotics to your diet by eating Activia Yogurt
Since its market introduction, Activia has emphasized its probiotic benefits. According to Activia, “While all yogurts have live and active cultures, not all have probiotic strains that provide specific health benefits such as supporting gut health and contributing to the maintenance of a balanced gut microbiota.” What does that mean, exactly?
Probiotics are crucial for digestive health. Research indicates that certain probiotics can prevent and treat diarrhea, digestive tract infections, irritable bowel syndrome, and Crohn’s disease. They also offer additional health benefits, such as treating and preventing vaginal infections, childhood eczema, and urinary tract infections (via Harvard Health Publishing). Notably, modern research links gut health with brain health, suggesting that gut improvement through probiotics and a balanced diet could potentially lead to a healthier nervous system (via Johns Hopkins Medicine).
There’s no specific guideline for daily probiotic intake, but an article in American Family Physician notes that adult dosages typically range from 10 to 20 billion colony-forming units. According to Activia, each cup of its yogurt contains billions of probiotics.
You may experience some digestive issues at first
If you’re new to Activia, you might initially experience some digestive discomfort. It’s not unusual for probiotics to cause tummy troubles if you’re not accustomed to them. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the first few days of probiotic consumption can result in excess gas, mild stomach upset, or diarrhea. Some may also experience bloating initially.
Most people who experience stomach issues due to probiotics usually find that the symptoms diminish or disappear after a few weeks. Regularly eating Activia may help your body adjust to probiotics. If the issues persist, consider gradually introducing Activia to your diet by consuming half a container at a time. If symptoms worsen or don’t improve, consult your doctor (via Healthline).
Activia can improve your digestion over time
Most people can handle probiotics without significant symptoms (per Healthline). Over time, probiotics work on your gut to balance its ecosystem and increase the population of beneficial bacteria, protecting it from digestive and immunity issues (per Cancer Treatment Centers of America). Activia suggests that consumers may start noticing differences from regular probiotic intake in about two weeks if they consume two containers of Activia yogurt daily.
However, the effectiveness of probiotics like those in Activia yogurt for specific digestive issues, such as constipation or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), remains inconclusive. A 2020 scientific review published in Przeglad Gastroenterologiczny found that clinical trials did not consistently support the efficacy of probiotics in treating constipation. Results varied based on the probiotic strain, dose, timing, and patient’s health and lifestyle. Some patients responded better to probiotic treatments than others, indicating that probiotics may not be a one-size-fits-all solution for digestive conditions.
You’ll give your body a boost with the protein and nutrients in Activia
It’s widely recognized that yogurt is rich in nutrients, and Activia is no exception. Many of its yogurt varieties contain at least four grams of protein, with its Greek yogurt offering 12 grams.
Protein is essential for muscle health. If you aim to build and strengthen muscle, consuming Activia yogurt post-workout could be beneficial. According to the Mayo Clinic, adding fresh fruit to yogurt as a post-workout snack can nourish your body effectively. A 2019 article in Nutrition Today also highlights dietary protein as a key component of bone cells, while calcium helps prevent osteoporosis. One container of Activia’s yogurt with fruit provides about 10% of your daily calcium intake.
Activia may also benefit blood pressure. Research published in the International Dairy Journal (via ScienceDaily) found that regular yogurt consumption led to an average blood pressure reduction of about seven points compared to non-yogurt eaters. Yogurt typically contains heart-healthy micronutrients like potassium and calcium, both present in Activia yogurts.
You could be consuming a lot of sugar
While Activia yogurt offers health benefits, some varieties contain significant amounts of added sugar, which may not align with a balanced diet if you’re trying to limit sugar consumption or manage weight.
For instance, Activia Probiotic Yogurt with Fruit contains 7-8 grams of added sugars, depending on the flavor. Additionally, Activia’s Probiotic Yogurt with Fiber adds 12 grams of sugar, including nine grams of added sugars. The American Heart Association advises limiting sugar intake to no more than 36 grams daily for men and a maximum of 25 grams for women.
Does this mean diabetics and prediabetics should avoid Activia yogurts containing sugar? Research indicates that probiotic yogurt can positively impact blood glucose control for prediabetics and diabetics. However, caution is advised with added sugar in any yogurt (via Medical News Today). Pay attention to serving sizes and consider the low-calorie, no-sugar-added variety of Activia to manage sugar intake.
If you eat Activia yogurt, you might consume controversial sweeteners and additives
Not all Activia yogurt contains added sugar. Its Probiotic 60 Calories Yogurt varieties have no added sugar but do use sucralose, an artificial sweetener that has been controversial. According to Cleveland Clinic, sucralose is 600 times sweeter than regular sugar due to a chemical process. Research has linked sucralose to inflammation and weight gain, and it may increase blood glucose and insulin levels in some individuals, similar to regular sugar.
Some Activia varieties with sugar, like its Probiotic Yogurt with Fruit, also contain carrageenan, a food additive that may negatively impact the digestive system. While generally used to thicken food products, research has shown that it can cause inflammation and potentially be carcinogenic. Some scientific groups have recommended a government ban on the ingredient (via MedicineNet). Conversely, other research suggests that carrageenan offers benefits like lowering cholesterol and having antiviral and antioxidant effects.
Eating Activia yogurt might be able to help treat vaginal yeast infections
The probiotics in Activia are beneficial not only for gut health but also for the vagina. According to Harvard Health Publishing, probiotic yogurt can help balance the vaginal ecosystem. Specifically, the Lactobacilli bacteria strain, in optimal amounts, can prevent infections by creating an environment that eliminates harmful bacteria.
Interestingly, some women have opted to insert probiotic yogurt into the vagina rather than consume it to directly address chronic yeast infections. Actress Gabrielle Union admitted in an interview with Unstyled (via Health) to attempting this home remedy for a yeast infection. “I ended up in a situation where I had a yeast infection, and I didn’t want to go to CVS to buy Monistat,” Union stated. While she didn’t mention the yogurt brand, Union noted it was vanilla-flavored and provided “a bit of relief.” We recommend consuming Activia yogurt traditionally and consulting your doctor before using it internally for yeast infection symptoms.
Is it safe to eat Activia while pregnant or nursing?
How does Activia fare for pregnant or breastfeeding women? Some may worry about its ingredients, including probiotics or sucralose, and their safety during pregnancy or nursing.
Healthline reports that consuming probiotics during pregnancy is linked to better gut health and may reduce the risk of complications. An article in Canada Family Physician explains that infections from probiotics are rare and that probiotics usually don’t enter breast milk, posing little risk to nursing infants.
Sucralose is also considered safe for pregnant women and nursing infants, with approval from the Food and Drug Administration (via the American Pregnancy Association). Regarding carrageenan, OBGYN Dr. Kecia Gaither states that it’s essential for giving baby formula its consistency and that research supports its safety for infants (via GlobeNewswire).
In summary, Activia, when included in a healthy and balanced diet, is likely safe for most pregnant women. However, it’s always advisable to consult your doctor if you have concerns about specific foods.
You might get a brain boost
A happy gut often translates to a happy brain, according to scientific research. Harvard Health Publishing notes that the gut has direct links to the brain, producing many of the same chemicals, including those that promote positive mood. Thus, the probiotics in Activia yogurt could play a significant role in enhancing mood and brain function.
Research in Frontiers in Psychiatry examined the impact of regular probiotic consumption over several weeks. Researchers assessed participants’ mood, personality traits, and sleep quality before, during, and after the six-week study. They found a “significant improvement in mood” among those consuming probiotics, with reduced anger and improved sleep quality.
Harvard Health Publishing also points out that probiotics can enhance cognition, with some studies showing improved scores on cognitive impairment tests following probiotic regimens.
Is Activia yogurt good for you?
Overall, Activia is generally safe for healthy adults as part of a balanced diet. Most varieties contribute about 90 calories to your daily intake, and Activia’s probiotics may help improve gut health. However, individuals concerned about added sugars, such as diabetics or those with insulin sensitivity, should be mindful of their consumption or opt for no-sugar-added options like Activia Probiotics 60 Calorie Yogurt.
Registered dietician Amanda Blechman ranks Activia as her second choice for the best yogurt on grocery shelves, primarily due to its added probiotics and the availability of plant-based options for dairy-free consumers (via Eat This, Not That!).
When is the optimal time to enjoy Activia? Research published in Beneficial Microbes suggests that probiotics are most effective when taken with or just before a meal containing healthy fats. Certified nutritional coach Lisa Richards explains: “This is when your stomach environment is least acidic because your body hasn’t yet produced large quantities of stomach acid to digest your food. Taking probiotics at this time facilitates their journey to your gut and ensures you receive maximum benefits from the beneficial bacteria” (via Well and Good).
