We sampled a few major brands to determine if they had live and active cultures. All the brands listed below did contain active, live cultures. The bacteria were listed where available. The potential benefits of these live cultures include gastrointestinal health, alleviating lactose tolerance symptoms, improved colon health, improved immune system health, protection against pathogens, and a decrease in yeast infections. There are several other benefits, but the key benefits have been listed.
Typically, if a product is labeled as yogurt, it has live and active cultures. However, it is always best to read the labels to verify the yogurt you choose has these beneficial live cultures. The health benefits of the live and active cultures are so great that it would be foolish for most people not to check their brand for these cultures before buying. In our mind, any product that does not contain live and active cultures is not really yogurt.
Sample of Greek yogurt brands for live and active cultures:
Fage – live active cultures (L. Bulgaricus, S. Thermophilus, L. Acidophilus, Bifidus, L. Casei).
Yoplait Greek – live active cultures (L. Bulgaricus, S. Thermophilus)
Stonyfield Organic – live active cultures (L. Bulgaricus, S. Thermophilus, L. Acidophilus, Bifidus, L. Paracasei, L. Rhamnosus)
Danon Oikos Greek – active yogurt cultures
Brown Cow Greek – live active cultures (L. Bulgaricus, S. Thermophilus, L. Acidophilus, Bifidus, L. Paracasei, L. Rhamnosus)
Chobani – live active cultures (L. Bulgaricus, S. Thermophilus, L. Acidophilus, Bifidus, L. Casei)
For visual proof, see the cool video below showing the live organisms in yogurt.