Activia's 40+ Year Journey of Science
Activia Science Timeline
Activia® is not just any yogurt; it’s a probiotic yogurt backed by 40 years of scientific research published in 19 scientific publications. These studies, representing a mix of survival studies, randomised control trials and meta-analysis, set Activia apart from most other yogurts. Learn more below.
1980
Higher amount of *bifidobacteria* in the gut microbiota of babies was found to be correlated with fewer digestive disorders
1985
Danone scientists identify and select the unique *Bifidus* strain of Activia®: this is what we now know as *Bifidobacterium*.
1985-1987
Four additional bacterial strains selected
1987
Danone introduces Activia® yogurt containing a mix of 5 exclusive strains
2000
*Bifidus* isolated strain deposited by Danone in the Pasteur Institute collection of cultures and microorganisms under ...
1991
1st publication showing Activia’s *Bifidus* strain survives passage through the human gut__*[6]*__
2000-2001
1st clinical trials document a functional benefit of *B.lactis* CNCM I-2494 strain in healthy human participants__*[7,8]*__
2011
Genome sequence of *B.lactis* CNCM I-2494 published__*[9]*__
2016
1st meta-analysis on Activia’s effect on digestive discomfort in the general population
2013
1st clinical trial on the effect of probiotic food (Activia) on the gut-brain axis
2025+
Research is ongoing
References
[1] Savaiano DA. Lactose digestion from yogurt: mechanism and relevance123. The American journal of clinical nutrition. 2014 May 1;99(5):1251S-5S.
[2] Nagaoka S. Yogurt production. Lactic acid bacteria: Methods and protocols. 2019:45-54.
[3] Rochet V et al. Survival of Bifidobacterium animalis DN-173 010 in the faecal microbiota after administration in lyophilised form or in fermented product - a randomised study in
>healthy adults. J Mol Microbiol Biotechnol 2008;14(1-3):128-36 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17957120/
[4] Araújo MM et al. Eects of Bifidobacterium animalis subspecies
>lactis supplementation on gastrointestinal symptoms: systematic review with meta-analysis, Nutr Rev. 2022. 80(6): 1619–1633, https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuab109 3.
[5] Eales J., et al. Systematic review and meta-analysis: the effects of fermented milk with Bifidobacterium lactis CNCM I-2494 and lactic acid bacteria on gastrointestinal discomfort in the general adult population. Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2016. First published on October 9, 2016.
[6] Pochart P, Marteau P, Bouhnik Y et al. Survival of Bifidobacteria ingested via fermented milk during their passage through the human small intestine: an in vivo study using intestinal perfusion. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1992; 55:78-80.
[7] Bouvier M, Méance S, Bouley C et al. Eect of consumption of
>milk fermented by the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium animalis DN-173 010 on colonic transit time in healthy humans. Bioscience Microflora. 2001; 20(2):43-48
[8] Marteau P, Cuillerier E, Meance S et al. Bifidobacterium animalis strain DN-173 010 shortens the colonic transit time in healthy women: a double-blind, randomized, controlled study. Alimentary Pharmacol & Therap, 2002;16:587-93.
[9] Chervaux C, Grimaldi C, Bolotin A et al. Genome sequence of the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CNCM I-2494. J Bacteriol. 2011 Oct;193(19):5560-1
[10] Tillisch K, Labus J, Kilpatrick L et al. Consumption of Fermented Milk Product with Probiotic Modulates Brain Activity. Gastroenterology, 2013 Jun; 144(7):1394-1401.
This information is intended to provide health professionals with scientific and educational content on gut health and nutrition.
