No, emulsifiers and thickeners added to yoghurt in small amounts don’t seem to reduce its gut health benefits. Yoghurt with added probiotics still supports gut health while these ingredients improve texture and creaminess.

All yoghurt is produced by bacterial fermentation of milk. The fermentation of lactose (the milk sugar) into lactic acid by the bacteria gives yogurt its classic gel-like thickness and taste. Emulsifiers or thickeners are sometimes added to improve the mouthfeel and creaminess, as well as helping to spread fat evenly throughout the product and to reduce bacterial overgrowth. These additions to yoghurt only make up a very small percentage (< 5%) of the total ingredients.¹

What makes yoghurt so good for your gut? Some types contain probiotics—friendly bacteria like Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, and Bifidobacterium—that help maintain the balance of 'good' and 'bad' bacteria in your gut microbiome. These probiotics can support gut health, promoting digestion and overall well-being.²

Yoghurt is also an excellent vehicle for probiotics because the milk’s natural protein and fat help protect these bacteria as they pass through the digestive system. This means they can reach the gut intact and do their job effectively.³

For information about the digestive benefits of yoghurt and other dairy foods visit this page.

References

1. European Food Emulsifiers Manufacturers Association. http://www.emulsifiers.org/ViewDocument.asp?ItemId=16&Title=Dairy Accessed 12.11.2019
2. Wu GD et al. Linking long-term dietary patterns with gut microbial enterotypes. Science. 2011 Oct 7;334(6052):105-8. doi: 10.1126/science.1208344. Epub 2011 Sep 1
3. Saxelin M, Korpela R, Mayra-Makinen A. Introduction: classifying functional dairy products. In: Mattila-Sandholm T, Saarela M, editors. Functional dairy products. New York: CRC Press; 2003. pp. 1–15.