What do Activia, Yoplait and Horizon Organic have in common? All contain enough bacteria to promote well-being. Well, at least it is how these yogurt brands are marketed. But, are they really healthy? To access the nutritional value of yogurt, TheConsumerJournal.com compiled several eye-opening facts about yogurt:

• Yogurt contains 20 percent of the recommended daily allowance of calcium.
  


• It reduces the risk of colorectal cancer. [Source: American Cancer Society]
  


• Yogurt is the ultimate calcium or milk alternative for the lactose intolerant. 
  


• According to Barry Goldin, PhD., of the department of family medicine and community health at the Tufts University School of Medicine, "If it contains the right bacteria, it helps prevent gastrointestinal problems like constipation and diarrhea..."
  


• Yogurt has 20 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin D. 
  


• Yogurt lowers the risk of infection and abbreviates its duration.
  


• Scientific research, published at the Mayo Clinic, suggests that vaginal suppositories made of the bacteria acidophilus ease yeast infections. [Source: MayoClinic]
  


• Yogurts, with several different types of bacterial cultures, are considered to be quite beneficial.
  


• Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, L. rhamnosus, streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium bifidum, are six intestinal friendly bacteria. 
  


• Reduced-fat and low-fat yogurt provide good sources of protein.
  


• Probiotics are considered the "good bacteria" found in yogurt. Only, brands with the words: "live and active culture," contain the right bacteria to intercept the spread of infection--of  "bad bacteria." 
  

Holly Bentz (c) 2008 fruitionmedia.net