Probiotic

Probiotics are live microorganisms thought to be healthy for the host organism. According to the currently adopted definition by FAO/WHO, probiotics are: "Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host".

What are Probiotics?

Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are thought to be beneficial in preventing several health conditions. They are usually consumed as supplements or yoghurts and are also referred to as “good bacteria.”

Kefir Health Benefits

Probiotics and IBS

Can Probiotics Ever Be Harmful to Human Health?

Dairy and Gut Health: The Good, the Bad, and the Controversial

Gut-brain Axis and Psychobiotics

Supplements During Pregnancy

Can Probiotics Prevent or Treat Acne?

Candida Overgrowth in the Gut

From Garlic to Genomic Tools: The Future of Neonatal Probiotic Therapies

Probiotic Benefits

Probiotic Side Effects

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Fermented Foods and Gut Health

Latest Probiotic News and Research

Leveraging the microbiome to promote healthy living and aging

From probiotic pills to skincare products to dedicated meal plans, the microbiome is all the rage in the health and wellness space.

21 Oct 2025

Which foods and supplements really ease chronic constipation?

BDA's first guidelines on chronic constipation reveal effective dietary supplements, including psyllium and magnesium oxide, for better digestive health.

16 Oct 2025

Combination of prebiotics and probiotics offer superior anti-inflammatory benefits compared with omega-3 or prebiotics alone

A new study, led by experts at the University of Nottingham, has found that combining certain types of dietary supplements is more effective than single prebiotics or omega-3 in supporting immune and metabolic health, which could lower the risk of conditions linked to chronic inflammation.

16 Oct 2025

New triple action iron supplement restores iron levels without inflammation

Iron-deficiency anemia is a common condition marked by tiredness, headaches or ice cravings. But the oral iron supplements used to treat it can leave behind excess iron that causes inflammation and an upset stomach.

15 Oct 2025

Kiwifruits could help alleviate chronic constipation

Kiwifruits, rye bread and high mineral-content water could all help alleviate chronic constipation.

13 Oct 2025

Natural nasal microbes offer broad-spectrum antiviral protection

Respiratory viral diseases pose severe threats to animal health and global food security, especially in intensive pig farming systems.

10 Oct 2025

Fermented soy boosts memory in older adults

Findings from a study reveal that fermented soy may boost memory function in older adults, especially postmenopausal women, offering dietary cognitive support.

9 Oct 2025

'Good' gut microbe found to support fetal growth and reduce pregnancy risks

Research led by the University of Cambridge has found the first clear evidence that the 'good' gut bacteria Bifidobacterium breve in pregnant mothers regulates the placenta's production of hormones critical for a healthy pregnancy.

6 Oct 2025

Does yogurt strengthen your bones?

Researchers review the impact of yogurt consumption on bone health in healthy adults.

3 Oct 2025

Can nut-based milks match dairy for safety, nutrition and flavor?

Tree nut-based beverages offer healthy fats but lack protein. Innovations in fortification and fermentation could enhance their nutritional value.

3 Oct 2025

How maternal microbes shape babies’ gut health and disease risk

Early microbial exposures from maternal microbes, milk components, and the environment shape infant gut development and long-term disease risk. The review highlights mechanisms, preventive levers, and research gaps in supporting healthy microbiome inheritance across generations.

29 Sep 2025

Precision probiotics lower blood sugar and cholesterol in mice

Researchers developed a precision probiotic cocktail comprising three Lactobacillus strains that improved glucose control, reduced weight gain, and lowered cholesterol levels in mice fed a high-fat diet. Metabolomic and microbiome analyses revealed host metabolic adaptations and beneficial shifts in gut bacteria, highlighting translational potential for future clinical trials.

28 Sep 2025

Gut probiotic Christensenella tenuis reduces endotoxemia and improves metabolism in obese mice

This study is reported by the team of Professor Shuang-jiang Liu from Shandong University. The study reveals that the gut probiotic Christensenella tenuis significantly alleviates endotoxemia and metabolic disorders in a diet-induced obesity (DIO) mouse model by modulating gut bile acids (BAs) metabolism and suppressing lipopolysaccharide (LPS) translocation across the gut barrier.

26 Sep 2025

New study suggests a connection between soft drinks and depression via the microbiome

A new study involving the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) provides strong evidence that sugary drinks affect not only metabolic but also mental health – especially in women. This effect is probably mediated by the sensitive microbiome of the intestine.

25 Sep 2025

UC Riverside receives $2 million grant to explore how gut bacteria shape human health

One day, bottles of probiotics might do more than keep you regular -- they could help prevent disease. To get there, a $2 million grant to UC Riverside will explore how gut bacteria shape human health.

23 Sep 2025

Gut microbial imbalance linked to chronic sickle cell disease pain

A research collaboration involving scientists and students at The University of Texas at Dallas has found a clear connection between chronic sickle cell disease pain and the bacteria present in the gastrointestinal tract.

22 Sep 2025

Peroxisomes identified as alternative heat producers in brown fat

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified a novel way brown fat - an energy-burning form of fat - can rev the body's metabolic engine, consuming cellular fuel and producing heat in a way that improves metabolic health.

17 Sep 2025

Ketogenic diets may lower migraine frequency and medication use

This narrative review argues that the migraine brain is hypometabolic, with converging evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired glucose handling, neuroinflammation, microbiome shifts, and obesity-related pathways. It proposes ketogenic diets as a plausible preventive strategy that may reduce monthly migraine days and medication use, while emphasizing the need for larger, rigorous randomized trials and careful clinical oversight.

14 Sep 2025

Study identifies a reductive uric acid degradation pathway in anaerobic bacteria

Uric acid builds up in the blood when the body cannot excrete it efficiently, leading to painful gout attacks, kidney stones, and other complications.

8 Sep 2025