While many yogurts are advertised as a good source of probiotics, the reality is rather murky. Some yogurts may not have many probiotics at all, since the bacteria often don't survive the pasteurization process. And since food is regulated much more lightly than drugs, you also can't really trust the label.

Can probiotics survive heat?

Some probiotics require refrigeration

Many factors affect the survival rate of probiotics, including the moisture content, temperature, and pH of their environment ( 2 ). Certain strains are more sensitive to heat and can die quickly if exposed to high temperatures.

What do probiotics need to survive?

Probiotics must survive in the acidic gastric environment if they are to reach the small intestine and colonize the host, thereby imparting their benefits. Lactobacillus species are considered intrinsically resistant to acid (51).