What are probiotics?

The term Probiotics is derived from the Greek pro (for) and bios (life) with the resulting meaning “for life” or “life-promoting. The most common and frequently used definition of Probiotics is:

“Live microoganisms that when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host"¹⁾

The concept of probiotics evolved at the turn of the 20^th century from a hypothesis fist proposed by Nobel Prize winning Russian scientist Eli Metchnikoff who suggested that the long, healthy live of Bulgarian peasants resulted from their consumption of fermented milk products. He believed that when consumed, the fermenting lactobacillus positively influenced the microflora of the colon, decreasing toxic microbial activities. 
 

¹⁾ Source: FAO/WHO (2001)