An effective digestive system is closely linked to several other bodily functions. The immune system in particular houses nearly 80% of the body’s immune cells in the digestive tract. 

The main aspect of digestive health is the balance of the naturally occurring beneficial bacteria in the gut, collectively termed as the gut microflora. Keeping the balance involves helping healthy, beneficial bacteria to thrive and survive and to keep unfriendly, harmful bacteria at a minimum.

Probiotics are extremely beneficial in restoring and maintaining this balance by repopulating the digestive tract with beneficial bacteria. The World Health Organisation defines probiotics as “live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host”4. They can be consumed via probiotic supplements or foods such as fermented foods (sauerkraut, pickles), kefir, kombucha, yoghurt or other commercial foods with added active cultures.

FUTURELIFE® BRAN FLAKES AND BARLEY WITH PROBIOTIC CAPSULES

What are HOWARU® Premium Probiotics?

HOWARU® Premium Probiotics is a blend of clinically studied probiotics that has been scientifically formulated to contain two of the most beneficial probiotic strains, namely HOWARU® Lactobacillus acidophilus and HOWARU® Bifidobacterium lactic. Each capsule contains 1 billion CFU (colony forming units) HOWARU® Premium Probiotics at time of manufacture. This blend of HOWARU® Premium Probiotics helps to deliver healthy digestion and natural immunity in one convenient supplement5,6. 

Why 2 in1? 

FUTURELIFE® Bran Flakes and Barley with Probiotic Capsules is designed with a ‘2 in1’ format simply because you can’t put probiotics through the same heat processing treatments as bran as the live probiotic cultures would be destroyed. HOWARU® Premium Probiotics have been packed in individual capsules that provide:

• Portion controlled servings of probiotics.
• The correct environment to protect the sensitive probiotics.

The concept of ‘2 in1’ may also be translated to one product providing both prebiotics (wheat bran and barley in the fibre flake) and probiotics (in capsule) which together could work as a symbiotic. While probiotics are live microorganisms that are beneficial to the body, prebiotics are the fuel that feeds probiotics, maximizing their ability to restore balance of the digestive system’s good bacteria.

Digestive & immune health benefits of HOWARU® Premium Probiotics

HOWARU® is a registered trademark of DuPont and its affiliates. Each HOWARU® Premium Probiotic capsule contains HOWARU® Lactobacillus acidophilus and HOWARU® Bifidobacterium lactic. Each capsule contains 1 billion colony forming units. 

Lactobacillus acidophilus: has been extensively studied since it was identified in the 1890’s. This strain is commonly found in dairy products. It attaches itself to the intestinal tract where it can protect it. It assists in the digestion of lactose and reduces the impact of diarrhoea. It also assists in stimulating the immune response.7

Bifidobacterium lactic: this strain of probiotic aids in the synthesis of certain vitamins (B vitamins). It also enhances lactose digestion, can be used to prevent/ treat diarrhoea (antibiotic induce/ from foodborne infections/ rotavirus) and can assist in the stimulation of intestinal immunity.8  

What else does FUTURELIFE® Bran Flakes with Probiotic Sachets contain?

FUTURELIFE® Bran Flakes and Barley with Probiotic Capsules are made predominantly from natural wheat bran which is a concentrated source of insoluble fibre. Wheat bran has been extensively studied and found to provide health benefits in terms of prevention of diseases such as colon and breast cancer, obesity, cardiovascular and digestive diseases.

FUTURELIFE® Bran Flakes and Barley with Probiotic Capsules is high in dietary fiber, providing 9.9g per 45g serving, and it also boasts the following features: 

• Improved crunch and texture
• High in Fibre: Provides 9.9g of fibre (39% of the recommended daily fibre intake) per serving
• Source of 12 vitamins (Vit A, B1, B2, Niacin, Pantothenic acid, B6, Folic Acid, B12, C, D, E, Biotin) 
• Low in Saturated Fat: 0.2g per serving with 0.9g of total fat per serving

For more information on FUTURELIFE® Bran Flakes and Barley with Probiotic Capsules as well as all the other products in the FUTURELIFE® range, please visit www.futurelife.com 

REFERENCES

1. C Stevenson, R Blaauw. Probiotics, with special emphasis on their role in the management of irritable bowel sundrome. S Afr J Clin Nutr. 2011;24(2):63-73
2. Y Koodia et al. Effect of Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 in fermented milk on abdominal adiposity in adults in a randomised controlled trial. Brit J of Nutr (2013); 110:1696–1703.
3. http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/Harvard_Mental_Health_Letter/2010/August/stress-and-the-sensitive-gut
4. http://www.who.int/foodsafety/fs_management/en/probiotic_guidelines.pdf
5. http://www.danisco.com/product-range/probiotics/howarur-premium-probiotics/
6. www.futurelife.co.za/howaru 
7. Aimutis WR. Microflora of The Intestine-Biology of Lactobacillus acidophilus.2014; 646-651.
8. Ghoddusi HB, Tamime AY. Microflora of The Intestine-Biology of Bifidobacteria 2014; 639-645.

Author: Sonal Ratan RD (SA)