What You Should Know
Activia is a low-fat yogurt made by Dannon infused with Bifidus Regularis, an active probiotic culture that is claimed to reduce “intestinal transit time” by regulating the digestive tract. Dannon says it may help women clear up digestive issues in combination with a healthy diet, and may clear up issues that make the digestion process slower. They claim this effect can be experienced in roughly two weeks, allowing for optimum digestion and fewer cramps. Activia is available worldwide, including grocery and specialty stores.
Activia is currently the only yogurt on the market claiming to have probiotic cultures in their product, and Dannon publicly states this is an optimum way to regulate the digestion system. They even say they have scientific evidence that backs up these claims, stated on their official website. Activia may not contain the benefits claimed by Dannon, however, and their so-called studies appear to be the result of original research.
Ingredients
Activia only states its yogurt contains milk-derived ingredients, sugar, and Bifidus Regularis.
Product Features
Activia emphasizes that its probiotic cultures promote proper digestion and may help supplement a healthy diet. Further examination reveals that their scientifically-backed facts aren’t legitimate studies at all — these studies were conducted by their own company and are not confirmed by any third-party sources. There has not been studies confirming the benefits of probiotic cultures, and researchers emphasize that more studies are needed to even confirm any benefits. They do not believe it is dangerous, however. Any benefits stated by Dannon simply have not been proven by third-party studies, putting their claims into question. Consumers also question the legitimacy of their claims, stating they did not experience better digestion. Some consumers have also complained of increased stomach irregularity, including diarrhea and cramps. Activia is rich with vitamins and minerals, however, but their probiotic cultures may be used in an unsafe manner.
Advantages
- Is an affordable and widely available yogurt.
- Can be purchased in most grocery stores in the United States.
- Contains nutrients and minerals which may help aid a healthy, nutritionally sound diet.
Disadvantages
- Bifidus Regularis is not proven to help aid digestion, and further studies are recommended to confirm if it does have any benefits.
- Consumers state it actually causes intestinal discomfort and diarrhea. (See reader comments.)
- Not ideal for diabetics contains excessive sugar.
Conclusion
Activia is touted as a digestion healing yogurt ideal for female intestinal issues, but evidence simply does not back this up. There are also reported side effects not listed on Activia’s website. Nevertheless, it does contain some nutrients which may supplement a healthy diet, but consumers should be aware of the heavy sugar content and some unnatural ingredients added to their yogurt.





have tried activia and have experience stomach cramps and alot of gurgling in stomache
[Reply]
Taken from Yoplait’s site:
You may be lactose intolerant if you have cramps, bloating, gas or diarrhea after you eat dairy foods. These symptoms occur when your body isn’t making enough lactase. This could be the problem as well.
[Reply]
I have been using Activia (peach) for at least six months…. Love it and it really works!!! I didn’t believe the commercials. Now I eat it regularly, sometimes with a banana and wheat germ. It is keeping me very healthy.
Linda Gualandi
115 Jacqueline St
Morris Illinois 60450
[Reply]
Can you give this Activia to a 7 year old. He eats other yogurt, like Fiber one, Yoplait,etc. He has to have 21 grams of fiber a day because he has problem with his bowels. He also takes Miralax every day. Also eats a Fiber one bar a day. The doctoer said he should eat to medium size apples a day also. Thanks and will be waiting for you answer.
[Reply]
I’ve been eating Activia for three days now and have had diarrhea for 3 days now. I’ve also suffered from the most horrendously smelly vapors one can imagine. I work in a hospital, and I’m worse off than most of the patients. I think I’ll throw the rest of that stuff away.
[Reply]
I’m having the same issues. I will leave work because it is so uncomfortable. I have like 8 cartons left. I might just pitch mine as well.
[Reply]
We just bought 24 snmall cups of Activia I am a celiac, can you tell me if it is gluten free?
[Reply]
I have been taking it for one week now and am experiencing cramping. It is helping with consptipation I think….I will continue to take it, I just purchased 3 more 8 paks.
I enjoy the flavor and the amount (4oz) My medications cause constipation….so I will continue as long as I do not become too uncomfortable.
[Reply]
EVEN THOUGH ACTIVIA DOES REGULATE YOUR DIGESTIVE SYSTEM I WILL NOT BUY IT AGAIN BECAUSE IT HAS ASPERTINE IN IT AND THAT IS NOT GOOD IF YOU TAAKE THE ASPERTNE OUT OF IT I WILL BUY IT AGAIN
[Reply]
IF YOU TAKE THE ASPERTANE OUT OF YOUR PRODUCT I WOULD BUY IT AGAIN IF NOT I WILL NOT BUY IT AGAIN
[Reply]
I just started eating Activia and like the taste. I haven’t had any problems but I would like to know if it will help to get rid of bloating of the stomach? My stomach has been bloated periodically and very hard. Hoping Activia can improve this problem.
[Reply]
My question is: How much sugar is in Activia? My tri-glycerides have gone up.
[Reply]
does activia has carbohydrate if so how much. Also activia light
[Reply]
All dairy products have carbohydrates in them. You can check the side of the individual container or on the packaging to see how much per serving.
Usually the carbs are also equivalent to the amt of sugar
[Reply]
How often do I take the activia yogurt
[Reply]
how often do i take activia
[Reply]
how often do I take the yougurt per day
[Reply]
I really like activia but it has to much sugar. Are you working on lowering the sugar. If not, I will not be buying it any longer as I am trying to control glucose in my diet thank you
[Reply]
I have been taking Activia now
for over 6 days. Should it
change the color of my stools
they are a light brown.Could
the meds I am taking with the
activia do this?
[Reply]
I had an iliostony and as a result have loose bowel movements sometime diarrhea. Is it safe for me to eat Activia?
[Reply]
How many times do you suppose to eat activia in a day
[Reply]
how many do i take a day -i use yogurt cups
[Reply]
how many do i take a day-i use yogurt cups
[Reply]
hoe often do i take it
[Reply]
I have been using Activia for 8 days and the cramps and bloating are becoming quite unformortable. Being 40 years old, I have developed a light case of acid reflux (not official diagnosed) that I take Zantac150 for.
The Zantac does a good job of relieving the syptoms, but I wanted to try Activia to eliminate my dependence on pills.
I started using Activia in hopes it would calm my stomach and resolve my acid reflux problem. INSTEAD, Activia has resulted in painful stomach cramping and irregularity.
I hope that by discontinuing Activia, my intestines will return to normal.
[Reply]
What are the ingredients in
Activia. I’ve been eating it
daily for many months and am
curious about contents.
[Reply]
what is in activia yogurt ?
[Reply]
what is in it…ASPARTAME…There are over 92 different health side effects associated with aspartame consumption. Aspartame dissolves into solution and can therefore travel throughout the body and deposit within any tissue. The body digests aspartame unlike saccharin, which does not break down within humans. basically EQUAL(sugar). not good for you at all!! activia may help with some people and there digestion. but after knowing what is in it i would strongly suggest just have a good amount of fiber in your diet and it will give you the same outcome.
[Reply]
ACTIVIA is all B.S. it is just another “snake-oil” campaign to make some slutty celebrity RICH…don’t use it don’t elieve a word they say.. most people that are PAID to endorse something will tell you just about anything…..
[Reply]