Probiotic Drinks Support Digestive Balance

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Internist Dr Muhammad Faisal Prananda, SpPD, said probiotic drinks may be consumed by people with digestive disorders.

“People we can recommend probiotics to include those with digestive disorders, such as functional digestive disorders, metabolic disorders, or structural disorders affecting the digestive system itself,” he told ANTARA in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Functional digestive disorders include constipation, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, acid reflux or GERD, nausea and bloating.

However, if patients have other problems, such as an infection or inflammation, they may consume probiotics only after the acute condition has first been treated.

He does not recommend probiotic drinks with particularly sour added flavours for patients with acid reflux or pain in the upper abdomen.

The member of the executive board of the Indonesian Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (PB PEGI) also advised the public to check probiotic ingredients, noting that some drinks contain sugar, sweeteners or even flavour enhancers.

“Probiotics are recommended when someone has a digestive disorder. Otherwise, they may be consumed, but there is no particular need to do so,” he added.

Probiotic drinks contain microorganisms that can benefit the digestive tract, improve health and support the immune system overall.

“Probiotics help restore balance in the digestive tract. When we are ill, the balance between good and harmful microorganisms there is disrupted. Probiotics can help restore that balance,” he concluded.