Probiotic – the word “probiotic” comes from Greek “pro bios” and means “for life”. According to the definition presented by Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and World Health Organisation (WHO), probiotics are “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host”.
Bacteria of genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are examples of microorganisms with probiotic properties. Of course, there are many others. However, only selected and precisely specified strains of a particular species show health-promoting properties confirmed by clinical studies.
Probiotics applied in a diet may contribute to maintaining microbiological balance of the digestive tract, both in terms of quality and volume. The key roles of probiotic bacteria include: