Don't watch what you eat, instead, THINK about it. Recent studies in an article in Gastroenterology (June) has shown that probiotics, often found in yogurt, can actually affect brain activity. Yogurt in the US has now grown to place 20 and 21st in the top 50 most eaten and recommended "snack foods", but how much do we really know about the affects of eating it, other than how many calories there are.

The study was only observed in women, 36  to be exact with no history of gastrointestinal or psychiatric symptoms. These women were given fMRI'S before and after the 4 week study period. During this period 12 women ate the fermented yogurt (containing probiotics), 11 ate nonfermented, and 13 were not given specifics. After several tasks to study results, the study showed that women in the probiotic group did show more differences in emotion and sensation response.

Simply because the results showed changes in brain activity does NOT mean probiotics are harmful. So do not be alarmed! The study did not show a positive or negative correlation with brain activity and future studies are in the plans. The affects in brain activity were also due to the constant exposure to probiotics. With this new first in its field discovery the study hopes to perhaps some day bring treatment options to neurological and mental diseases one snack at a time!

To learn nutritional and dietary information about yogurt click here