BEIJING, Dec. 11 (Xinhuanet) -- Probiotics or "friendly" bacteria similar to those found in the human digestive system helps digestive health and strengthens "your body's defenses," according to Holly Maloney, a U.S. nutritionist quoted by media reports Tuesday.

    Maloney, 32, a nutrition instructor at Chicago's Kendall College, eats probiotic nutrition bars that claim to help digestion and the immune system. She's also a longtime fan of a probiotic-containing fermented milk drink.

    Maloney said the milk drink just makes her feel good, adding if there are a few days when she doesn't have it, "she doesn't feel right."

    It's a growing trend in foods designed to boost health nowadays. Probiotic nutrition foods are spreading like germs on grocery store shelves and in supermarket dairy cases in some countries.

    There are milk drinks, yogurts, cheeses, snack bars and cereals, even baby formula and chocolate. Sold by major names like health products in U.S., it's all part of an effort to capitalize on an obsession with health foods.

    Maloney noted probiotics are generally safe, but more research is needed. It will be a hot new area, reflecting a growing understanding of the role the naturally occurring intestinal bacteria plays in health.

    (Agencies)