Probiotics are live microorganisms, mainly bacteria or yeast, that give health benefits when consumed in sufficient amounts. One core challenge that they face when consumed is the strong acidic environment of the stomach in order to reach the intestine, where their benefits are felt . Here are some mechanisms by which probiotics can survive stomach acid:
- Protective Capsulation: Some probiotic supplements are designed with protective coatings or shield that protect the bacteria from stomach acid. These coatings can be made from various materials, such as gelatine, cellulose, or other polymers, which resist the acidic environment of the stomach.
- Acid Resistance: Certain strains of probiotics have developed mechanisms over time to withstand acidic conditions. For example, some strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, two common genera of probiotics, have robust cell walls that are resistant to low pH, hence building acidic resistance.
- Spore Formation: Some probiotic bacteria have the ability to make spores, which are dormant, highly resistant structures. Spores can tolerate harsh conditions, including acidity, heat, and pressure. Examples of spore-forming probiotics include Bacillus coagulans and Bacillus clausii.
- Protection from Food or Carriers: Probiotics can be sent in food matrices or carriers that offer protection against gut acids . For instance, consuming probiotics with yogurt or other dairy products may provide some degree of protection due to the buffering effect of these foods.
- Enteric Coating: Coating the supplements with Enteric Coatings are designed to dissolve the less acidic environment of intestine rather than the stomach allowing the probiotics to bypass the stomach and reach the intestines, where they can multiply and confer their beneficial effects.
- Consuming with Food: Clubbing probiotics with food can help buffer stomach acid and improve the survival of probiotic bacteria. Certain foods may contain compounds that promote the survival of probiotics during transit through the digestive system.
Hence it can be concluded that the survival of probiotics through stomach acid depends on various factors, including the strain of probiotic, the formulation of the supplement, and individual factors such as gastric emptying rate and stomach acidity.
