Which dairy product typically contains live cultures and probiotic benefits?

Kefir is a fermented dairy product known for containing live cultures, which include a variety of probiotics. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that contribute to gut health and can aid digestion, enhance the immune system, and provide other health benefits. The fermentation process of kefir involves the addition of kefir grains, which are a combination of yeast and lactic acid bacteria, allowing for the development of these live cultures.

In contrast, while other dairy products like yogurt may also contain probiotics, not all cheeses and milk products have live cultures. Cheese typically undergoes a different processing method, where live cultures may not survive, and butter is usually made from cream separated from the milk, not containing live cultures after the churning process. Milk is generally considered a base product without added probiotics unless specifically treated or cultured. Therefore, kefir stands out as the primary source among the options listed for its inherent probiotic properties.