Profound Industry at the Cusp of Disruption

One frequently inquires about the advantages of taking probiotics when it is suggested. Since bacteria are known to cause disease, the thought of consuming a few billion of them daily for your health may be difficult to accept on both a literal and metaphorical level. However, a growing body of scientific research indicates that certain foods and supplements with live bacteria can be used to treat and even prevent specific ailments. Due to their culture of consuming foods that are fermented with bacteria, such as yoghurt, Northern Europeans consume a lot of these helpful microorganisms, known as probiotics (from pro and biota, meaning “for life”). In reality, probiotic-infused beverages have a sizable and successful business in Japan.

Probiotic pills are being suggested by certain digestive disease specialists for conditions including irritable bowel syndrome that defy treatment with traditional drugs. Clinical research has shown that probiotic therapy can treat and prevent vaginal and urinary infections in women as well as a number of gastrointestinal disorders in addition to delaying the onset of allergies in infants.

The market for probiotics in India is primarily being driven by consumers' growing knowledge of the high prevalence of certain gastrointestinal disorders. Furthermore, the country's probiotics market is expanding as more people become aware of the multiple benefits they have for boosting immunity and gut health. A important growth-inducing element is the growing senior population, who are more likely to suffer from chronic gastrointestinal diseases. Probiotic based animal feeds are also used mainly for maintenance of the equilibrium of the intestinal microbiota of livestock. Interestingly, they turn out to be an effective method in fight against pathogens posing a threat for both animals and consumers.

This edition throws light on some of the emerging producer & manufacturers of probiotic based products in India. Some have made significant discoveries in terms of benefits and applications. Do let us know your thoughts.