Research on the effects of probiotics is inconclusive, but it suggests that they may be beneficial in the following areas:
Digestive health
Numerous studies have found that probiotics may improve digestive health in some people.
A 2017 Cochrane review found that taking probiotics while using antibiotics reduced the risk of antibiotic-related diarrhea by 60 percent.
A 2014 analysis of 24 trials found that probiotics could help prevent the life-threatening disease necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants.
Mental health
A smaller body of research suggests that probiotics may improve mental health.
A 2017 reviewTrusted Source found that probiotics may alleviate the symptoms of depression, but the authors note that additional studies are necessary to confirm this.
It is possible that probiotics have this effect because there is a link between gut and brain health.
Gastrointestinal health
The results of studies generally suggest that people with disorders affecting the stomach and intestines may see improvements with probiotics.
For example, a systematic review of trials in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) found that probiotics seem to improve the symptoms of this condition. However, the authors caution that it is unclear how significant the benefit may be or which strain of probiotic is most effective.
General health
The authors of a 2017 review of 17 Cochrane reviews considered the evidence supporting the potential benefits of probiotics.
They found that probiotics may decrease:
- the need for antibiotics
- school absences from colds
- the incidence of ventilator-assisted pneumonia
- gestational diabetes
- vaginal infections, such as yeast infections
- eczema
However, the review did not find high-quality evidence that probiotics can prevent illness, and the authors conclude that more trials are necessary.
Side effects
According to the same review above, people with Crohn’s disease had a higher risk of adverse events when they took a specific probiotic.
People with weakened immune systems were also more vulnerable to side effects.
Other research from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative HealthTrusted Source supports the conclusion that probiotics may not be safe for people with serious underlying medical conditions.
A 2018 analysisTrusted Source of probiotic trials warns that many studies do not report safety data, including information on adverse events, even when they claim to prove that probiotics work.
The lack of data regarding safety shows that scientists know little about the risks of probiotics, especially the potential issues of long-term use.
Anyone concerned about the risk of side effects should speak with a doctor before significantly increasing their intake of probiotics.
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