善玉菌(ぜんだまきん)

ぜんだまきん
noun
good bacteria; beneficial bacteria
healthscience
1. good bacteria; beneficial bacteria (in the gut)
Intestinal bacteria considered good for health, such as lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria. A popular term in health and food advertising.
善玉菌(ぜんだまきん)を増(ふ)やす。
To increase good bacteria.
Yogurt contains a lot of good bacteria.
腸内(ちょうない)の善玉菌(ぜんだまきん)と悪玉菌(あくだまきん)のバランスが大切(たいせつ)だと言(い)われている。
The balance between good and bad bacteria in the gut is said to be important.

Etymology

善玉(ぜんだま) (a "good guy") + 菌(きん) (bacteria).

Common collocations

  • 善玉菌(ぜんだまきん)を増(ふ)やす: to increase good bacteria
  • 善玉菌(ぜんだまきん)のエサ: food for good bacteria (said of fibre)

Related words

  • 悪玉菌(あくだまきん): bad bacteria — the opposite
  • 乳酸菌(にゅうさんきん): lactic acid bacteria
  • 腸内(ちょうない)環境(かんきょう): the gut environment