Today, over and above the need for exercise and proper nutrition, many people have embraced the concept of probiotics intake to boost wellness.
Although Yakult has been known for almost 50 years now in the Philippines and 90 in Japan to benefit our digestive health and well-being, modern-day research has time and again confirmed the importance of ensuring one’s gut health for overall health and wellness.
According to Miami USA-based spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Amy Kimberlain, “Keeping a healthy environment in your gut is critical to not only optimizing your health but also staving off chronic disease.”
The gut must then be strengthened to keep it healthy so the body stands a better chance to have a strong immune system. This is where Yakult comes in.
In the late 1920s, Dr. Minoru Shirota, upon observing the state of health of the people around him in Japan, resolved to do research that could help quell the malady around him. He worked on strengthening and culturing lactic acid bacteria in his laboratory until finally he succeeded. He managed to develop a health-enhancing strain— Lacticaseibacillus paracasei strain Shirota (LcS).
This strain later became the main ingredient of Yakult, a probiotic drink that was made available in 1935 to Japanese consumers at a very affordable price.
“Its efficacy is guaranteed by 8 billion live Lacticaseibacillus paracasei strain Shirota (LcS) in every bottle of Yakult drink,” says YESMC Chairman and Yakult Philippines, Inc. President, Mr. Alberto R. Dy Sun.
On its 47th year in the Philippines this 2025, Yakult Philippines opened its second plant in the country strategically located in Mindanao in order to better serve the needs of its loyal consumers down south and benefit more people.
Located in El Salvador, Misamis Oriental, it complements the original Yakult plant which is located in Calamba Laguna. It was inaugurated in early June of this year. The Yakult El Salvador Manufacturing Company (YESMC) Plant occupies a total floor area of 25,583 sq meters and construction area of about 18,709 sq meters.
