Effect of commercially available probiotic and prebiotic foods on the composition of the colonic microflora.

A double-blind, randomized, single-center, parallel design study in healthy adult (20–59 years old) individuals investigated the effect of commercially available probiotic products (Actimel, Activia, Yakult) and Bimuno® on the composition of the colonic microflora (gut bacteria). The only significant change in the numbers of ‘good’ bacteria was recorded after the consumption of the prebiotic Bimuno®, that resulted in significant increase of:

• the Bifidobacterium spp population after 7 days and 14 days
• the Lactobacillus spp population after 14 days

 

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, March 2008. “Prebiotic evaluation of a novel galactooligosaccharide mixture produced by the enzymatic activity of Bifidobacterium bifidum NCIMB 41171, in healthy humans: a randomized, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled intervention study.” Depeint, F. et al.