For the first time in South Africa, Danone (manufacturer of probiotic yoghurt, Activia) and the World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO) will be joining forces to promote awareness of important digestive health issues. The partnership will kick off formally on 29 May, World Digestive Health Day.
It's a little known fact that 51% of South African women experience digestive disorders[1]. Clearly, our society has a lot of room to improve its general digestive health, and it's these sorts of statistics World Digestive Health Day seeks to improve through its ongoing communication and awareness programs.
The WGO and its 103 national member societies have been celebrating 29 May as World Digestive Health Day since 2004. The day sees the WGO and its partners launch a year-long campaign to promote and create awareness - across the world - around a specific digestive health topic or discipline.
This year's focus will be on Optimal Nutrition in Health and Disease. The WGO, in partnership with Danone worldwide, will be providing wide ranging scientific information to health care practitioners and consumers on the impact of nutrition on their digestive health.
“Our involvement in WDHD supports what Activia is all about - namely, offering consumers a scientifically proven solution to help keep your digestive system more regular”, says Kim Henry, the brand's Marketing Manager.
The WGO recommends the daily use of probiotics to help maintain digestive health in adults and children. Probiotics are live micro-organisms which, when eaten live and in sufficient quantities, have a positive impact on digestive health. Consumers can significantly improve their digestive health by adding certain probiotics to their diet, in combination with a careful examination of their general lifestyle.
South African research is claimed to have revealed that after eating Activia yoghurt (which has a unique probiotic called ActiRegularis) for 15 days, 86% of people experienced digestive disorders less frequently, while 95% experienced lowered levels of pain and discomfort[2].
“Different probiotics have different benefits,” Henry concludes. “ActiRegularis, for example, is unique to our company and is scientifically proven to help improve digestive problems when consumed for the recommended 15 days. Our mission - through our participation in World Digestive Health Day - is to make sure that the general public is aware of these sorts of facts, and is empowered to make the right choices, to improve their digestive health.”
[1] Activia Basics Q&A Page 7
What is the incidence of stomach problems in South Africa?
The data available show that 51% of people experience stomach ailments.
*Project Biffy - Quant study (Acron 2007); sample size: n=300
[2] FAQ Page 1
Danone Clover takes great care in assessing the benefit of its products and has carried out studies to demonstrate the effect of Activia.
South African research revealed that after eating Activia for two weeks, 86% of people experienced digestive disorders less frequently and 95% experienced less pain and discomfort than before.
*Project Clockwork 2006; sample size: n=183
