Probiotic ME-3 bacteria now in ice cream

Balbiino has introduced a new apricot-honey yoghurt ice cream with probiotic ME-3 bacteria discovered by medical researchers from the University of Tartu.

In addition to Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3, the ice-cream has been enriched with other gut-friendly probiotics, such as bifido- and acidophilic bacteria, and is low on fat.

According to marketing director of Balbiino Heikki Põhi, the development of the new product was inspired by global nutrition trends. “What we eat is increasingly important and individual needs are the priority in consumption,” Põhi said.

The strain of lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3 was discovered in 1995 by a team of researchers of the University of Tartu led by Marika Mikelsaar and Mihkel Zilmer. Products containing ME-3 improve digestion, as probiotic lactic bacteria help to extract nutrients, and also enrich the microbiota of the intestinal tract, boosting antibacterial and antiviral powers. Also, ME-3 has been scientifically proven to lower cholesterol and reduce oxidative stress throughout the body. All this is highly relevant in the general context of health care.