Especially in connection with yogurt, the rod-shaped bacterium is frequently mentioned. Meanwhile, this particular bacterium is also becoming increasingly important for research and medicine. In this article, you will learn more about the Bulgara bacterium, which is particularly important for humans.

What is Lactobacillus Bulgaricus (history)

It is now known that everyone has this bacterium in their body. It is a so-called "good" bacterium, found in the gut. This type of bacterium is also present in various foods.

How did the rod-shaped bacterium get its name?

At the beginning of the 20th century, the biologist Elias Metschnikoff discovered that the Bulgarian population lives to a particularly old age due to a specific germ.

This bacterium was henceforth described as Lactobacillus bulgaricus. The name thus originates from the Bulgarian population, who consumed a particular type of food.

Foods containing this No

This bacterium is found not only directly in the body, but also in various foods. Below is a list of foods that contain this strain of bacteria.

• yogurt
• quark
• Sour milk cheese

This allows you to ingest the bacteria in a completely natural way. However, it is quite possible that the number of bacteria contained in the food is not sufficient to meet individual needs.

Effect of the lactic acid bacterium Bulgaricus

The bacterium has an antibacterial effect and can therefore combat unwanted bacteria in the body, such as Staphylococcus aureus. Studies have also shown that the bacterium has an anti-aging effect. It can also stimulate the growth of other beneficial bacteria in the body.

All these effects make the bacterium very important for the human body. Researchers have found that the bacterium is beneficial to the body and plays a major role in maintaining health. This is a key reason why the population in Bulgaria has lived to such an old age in past studies.

Yogurt or medicine?

The bacterium can generally be ingested through yogurt or medication. Which method is better cannot be said definitively.

Taken as yogurt

Yogurt is a well-known, readily available food. However, the number of bacteria in yogurt is manageable. Yogurt also contains other important nutrients that the body needs to survive. For normal consumption in small amounts, yogurt is generally a good choice.

Taken as a medication

However, if you intend to ingest the germ directly in a particularly high dose, medication is advisable. The bacterium can be absorbed directly by the body. It is also possible that the strain can multiply within the body and thereby develop special properties.

Turkish yogurt versus Bulgarian yogurt

There are generally various types of yogurt available on the market. The following will specifically address popular Turkish and Bulgarian yogurt.

Turkish yogurt

Researchers have discovered in various studies that the bacterium Lactobacillus bulgaricus is present in Turkish yogurt. Therefore, Turkish yogurt is generally suitable for ingesting the bacterium.

Bulgarian yogurt

The number of germs is significantly higher in Bulgarian yogurt, making this particular yogurt especially suitable for consuming large quantities of the Bulgara bacterium.

Lactobacillus Bulgaricus capsules

Special capsules are now available on the market. These capsules are particularly useful when a high concentration of the bacterium needs to be ingested.

You should ensure that the product contains as few additives as possible and that your body can absorb it effectively. The market offers a huge variety of products, so you should definitely compare different preparations to find the right one for you.

Make your own Bulgara bacteria

Generally, it's not possible to simply produce the rod-shaped bacterium yourself. However, you can make various foods containing the bacterium yourself. This applies particularly to yogurt and quark. Making sour milk cheese is more complicated and very difficult to do at home.

Nowadays, you can find various instructions and recipes online for making your own yogurt. You should make sure to use the most natural ingredients possible to obtain a particularly high-quality product. Many of the recipes online are easy to prepare with minimal effort.

Side effects

Generally, the bacterium is well tolerated. However, especially at the beginning of therapy, it can cause side effects.

• Flatulence
• Abdominal pain

These may cause side effects. They usually subside after a short time, and the medication can then be taken without further side effects. Even children can generally use the medication without any concerns.

For which groups of people is Lactobacillus bulgaricus unsuitable?

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid ingesting the germ. Furthermore, everyone's body is different, so everyone reacts differently to the bacterium, and complications can always occur.

If in doubt, you should discuss the dosage and how to take it with your doctor. In most cases, a specific and precise solution can be found so that the bacterium is well-tolerated and without side effects for many people.