[11][better source needed] Live cultures of S. thermophilus make it easier for people who are lactose-intolerant to digest dairy products.

The bacteria breaks down lactose, the sugar in milk, that lactose-intolerant people find difficult to digest.

[13] "Streptococcus" derives from a Greek term meaning "twisted kernel" and refers to the way the bacterium is grouped in chains that resemble a string of beads.

[15] The genus Streptococcus includes several pathogenic species, such as S. pneumoniae and S. pyogenes, but food industries consider S. thermophilus non-pathogenic.

When rats were inflicted with mucositis by chemotherapy drugs, the intestinal tissues in those pretreated with streptococcus thermophilus TH-4 functioned more healthily and were less distressed.

[22] Strains of S. thermophilus have also reduced risks of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD), an issue that results from taking antibiotics.

Adults who ate yogurt containing S. thermophilus while being treated with antibiotics had lower rates of AAD than the control group (12.4% vs.

In an experiment performed on the bacteriophagous nematode species Caenorhabditis elegans, consumption of S. thermophilus was shown to cause significant longevity when compared to specimens that consumed E. coli OP50, a strain used as a standard food source.

Additionally, there was no significant deviation in growth rate or brood size, indicating that it wasn't caused by caloric restriction.

[25][26] Some people, such as those with compromised immune systems, short bowel syndrome, central venous catheters, heart valve disease and premature infants, may be at higher risk for adverse events.