Probiotic Yogurt Side Effects

Probiotic yogurt can cause some side effects, especially when first starting to consume it:

• Gas and bloating are the most common side effects as your body adjusts to the additional bacteria. This is typically temporary and should go away after a couple weeks of regular consumption.

• Some people may experience constipation and increased thirst, especially with yeast-based probiotics.

• Headaches are possible in people sensitive to biogenic amines, substances that form when protein-containing foods like yogurt are fermented by bacteria.

• In rare cases, people with weakened immune systems, recent surgeries, or prolonged hospitalizations may develop infections from the probiotic bacteria, though this is very uncommon.

To minimize side effects, start with a small amount of probiotic yogurt and gradually increase over a few weeks to allow your body to adjust. If gas, bloating or other issues persist for more than a couple weeks, stop consuming the yogurt and consult your doctor. Overall, probiotic yogurt is safe for most people and the potential benefits, such as improved digestion and reduced infection risk, outweigh the minor side effects that may occur for some individuals when first adding it to their diet.