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The Bulgarian Miracle of 1905: Why was the discovery of probiotics so important?
The concept of probiotics gradually entered people's lives at the beginning of the 20th century, and the beginning of it all can be traced back to the discovery in Bulgaria in 1905. At that time, Bulgarian doctor and microbiologist Stamen Grigorov first discovered certain bacteria called Lactobacillus bulgaricus in Bulgarian yogurt. This discovery not only laid the foundation for probiotic research, but also made the sales and consumption of probiotics gradually become a part of global commerce.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when ingested in appropriate doses, confer health benefits to the host.
As time progressed, Russian Nobel Prize winner Élie Metchnikoff proposed the famous "Probiotics and Longevity" theory in 1907. Metchnikoff observed that many Bulgarian farmers generally lived longer after eating naturally fermented yogurt, so he recommended that people take probiotics regularly to help improve intestinal health and delay aging.
As time passes to the 21st century, the market for probiotics is expanding rapidly, with the global retail market valued at US$41 billion. Consumers are full of expectations for the health benefits brought by probiotics. However, there are many unresolved scientific controversies hidden behind all this.
Although the benefits of certain probiotics, such as helping to relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, are scientifically supported, there is a lack of substantial scientific support for many of the claimed health benefits.
Today, the market is flooded with a variety of probiotic products. However, the health claims of these products have been repeatedly rejected by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) because the scientific evidence is insufficient to prove their effects and mechanisms. For example, some manufacturers claim that probiotics can reduce gastrointestinal discomfort or improve immune health, but these claims vary significantly between bacterial strains and cannot be directly applied to all probiotics.
According to the definition of the World Health Organization (WHO), a probiotic should produce health benefits for the host at appropriate doses. In addition, many experiments are still ongoing to evaluate the impact of these live bacteria on the human body, but many current health claims about probiotics still lack reliable scientific basis. Even though probiotics are considered a relatively safe option, adverse reactions may occur in certain groups, especially those with weakened immune systems.
The principle of consuming probiotics is not to increase the number of colony-forming units (CFU), but to the specific strains and diseases targeted.
The balance between benefits and drawbacks has scientists and consumers cautious about the future of probiotics. As the global demand for probiotic products increases, the formulation of relevant specifications and standards becomes increasingly important. This is not only about consumer trust, but also about how to protect the microbial ecology in the body.
When it comes to choosing healthy foods, many experts recommend consuming more fermented foods rich in probiotics, such as yogurt, kimchi or natto, which can effectively improve the balance of intestinal flora. Whether it is daily diet or microbiological research, the discovery of probiotics and their impact are still areas worthy of in-depth exploration.
With the deepening of research, the understanding and application of probiotics will face higher standards and challenges.
The discovery in Bulgaria in 1905 was not only a scientific breakthrough, but also the starting point of mankind's exploration of health and longevity. As technology advances, research on probiotics will continue. What new discoveries will be made in the future that will allow us to fully understand intestinal health and its importance to overall health?
