I thought that article was interesting. I do agree that some studies tend to find what they want. Some of the graphs they put up at uni, which show definately that something caused something, I sit there and think, but look, it was allready reducing, or couldn't something else have been the cause.
But I do think that bacteria can do alot of good, and not only in bm, in the past I think most people consumed alot more of them than they do now - sourdough bread, real yoghurt, cultured butter, raw milk, sourkrout (?), grapes are treated to kill natural yeasts, I think I read somewhere grain is steralised too. And potatoes are treated, thats why you have seed potatoes and normal potatoes- so I guess that would kill the yeasts/bacterias on them too.
I think they are putting probiotics into formula now aren't they? I guess that is the benefit of these studies.
I've seen some other interesting studies too, showing the effect pre-natal nutrition has on obesity.
Plus there are those emails about msg fat rats