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Lactic Acid Bacteria: Genetics, Metabolism and Applications pp 279–289Cite as

Probiotics: an overview of beneficial effects

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Abstract

Food products fermented by lactic acid bacteria have long been used for their proposed health promoting properties. In recent years, selected probiotic strains have been thoroughly investigated for specific health effects. Properties like relief of lactose intolerance symptoms and shortening of rotavirus diarrhoea are now widely accepted for selected probiotics. Some areas, such as the treatment and prevention of atopy hold great promise. However, many proposed health effects still need additional investigation. In particular the potential benefits for the healthy consumer, the main market for probiotic products, requires more attention. Also, the potential use of probiotics outside the gastrointestinal tract deserves to be explored further. Results from well conducted clinical studies will expand and increase the acceptance of probiotics for the treatment and prevention of selected diseases.

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Abbreviations

IBD:

Inflammatory bowel disease

CD:

Crohn’s disease

UC:

Ulcerative colitis

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry and Food Chemistry, University of Turku, FIN-20014, Turku, Finland

    Arthur C. Ouwehand & Seppo Salminen

  2. Department of Paediatrics, Turku University Central Hospital, FIN-20500, Turku, Finland

    Erika Isolauri

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  1. Arthur C. Ouwehand
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  2. Seppo Salminen
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  3. Erika Isolauri
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Wageningen Center for Food Sciences, and NIZO food research, the Netherlands

    R. J. Siezen

  2. University of Groningen, the Netherlands

    J. Kok

  3. Wageningen Center for Food Sciences, and Wageningen University, the Netherlands

    T. Abee

  4. TNO Nutrition and Food Research, Zeist, the Netherlands

    G. Schasfsma

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Ouwehand, A.C., Salminen, S., Isolauri, E. (2002). Probiotics: an overview of beneficial effects. In: Siezen, R.J., Kok, J., Abee, T., Schasfsma, G. (eds) Lactic Acid Bacteria: Genetics, Metabolism and Applications. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-2029-8_18

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