Lactic Acid Bacteria and Human Health

Abstract

Recently, functional foods have attracted attention as more consumers are oriented towards health. Among all, health benefits of lactic acid bacteria are widely recognized. Now lactic acid bacteria are added to a wide range of food such as yogurt, chocolate and instant noodles. The reason why lactic acid bacteria are extensively used is that their effects on health have been proved by many studies. Researchers also found that even heat-killed lactic acid bacteria had beneficial effects on health, and that lactic acid bacteria were easy to mix with food.

In this paper, the author explains basic properties of lactic acid bacteria and other intestinal bacteria. Their health benefits are also illustrated with R037, LAB4 and R30-lactic acid bacteria developed by KANEKA COPORATION.

●R037(Pediococcus acidilactici R037) :

Anti-allergic and triglyceride-lowering effect of lactic acid bacteria

●LAB4(Lactobacillus delbrueckii LAB4) :

The suppressive effect of lactic acid bacteria on postprandial glucose elevation

●R30(Enterococcus faecium R30) :

The promotive effect of lactic acid bacteria on blood flow in capillaries present in muscles