Yogurt has long been promoted as being good for our digestive health because it contains probiotics – or friendly bacteria.  Yogurt became even more popular after UCLA researchers in 2013 found evidence that probiotics ingested in food can have a positive effect on human brain function and  can even reduce stress.

In other words, it’s “a two-way street,” says the UCLA Newsroom report on this study. The stress that can lead to digestive problems may actually be alleviated, and other brain symptoms improved, through balancing the bacteria in the gut.

What we don’t know from the UCLA study, however, is the quality of the yogurt that was used or which strains or cultures of probiotics it contained. We don’t know if this study yogurt contains the same strains of probiotics we would find on the market.

Fact is, not all yogurts are made the same, and regular use of those that are high in sugars or contain artificial sweeteners, GMOs, bovine growth hormones and/or artificial preservatives, can cause more health problems than they alleviate.

What we really want are live probiotics, and yogurt is not the only natural or always the best source.  Probiotics are  also gained through consuming kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, natto, tempeh, raw goat cheese, apple cider vinegar and sour pickles (organic of course). Dr. Axe recommends yogurt as a good source of probiotics IF it is not pasteurized and “first, that it comes from goat’s or sheep’s milk, second, that it is grass-fed and third, that it is organic.”

While organic yogurt, containing live cultures, and naturally sweetened with added fruits or stevia can be beneficial to healthy people by keeping their gut bacteria in balance, supplemental probiotics may be needed when candida or other more severe imbalances occur or when taking antibiotics.

Most yogurt contains Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermopiles. A few may also include Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidus. However, if we are looking to alleviate depression or stress, for example, two other strains of probiotics, not usually found in yogurt, B. infantis and B. longum, may be what we really need.

Treating cognitive function and conditions like stress and depression with probiotics is a rather new concept, so you may need to spend some time researching and speaking with nutrition experts to find a yogurt or supplement that is most beneficial to your health needs.