Directions

Ingredients

New Research: Probiotics improve body weight, body fat, and heart health in adults

What kind of study was this?

This was a systematic review and a meta-analysis. This means that researchers set out to review all the previous research published on a particular topic. A systematic review will often summarize the findings qualitatively, in writing. Meta-analyses, however, summarize the findings quantitatively. This study did both.

What did researchers want to know?

The researchers noted that randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which are the gold-standard type of study in health science, haven’t always shown the same results for probiotics on weight, body fat, and heart health. So, they wanted to know what would happen if they looked at all the published RCTs on this topic.

What did the researchers actually do?

Before starting the review they decided what types of studies they would include and exclude (these are known as inclusion and exclusion criteria). They decided they’d only review studies that were RCTs that examined the effects of probiotics in adults on weight loss, body fat (what they call “adiposity”), and heart health (what they call cardiovascular disease risk markers). They then summarized the findings in writing (qualitatively) and used statistics to estimate the average results of all the studies reviewed.

What did the researchers find?

They found that, when all the RCTs are taken together, probiotics had a statistically significant effect on reducing body weight and body fat and improving markers of heart health. They found that body weight, body fat, and heart health markers improved in studies that looked both at probiotics with a single bacterial species and in studies that looked at multiple bacterial species. But body fat (adiposity) only improved when the probiotic pills had over 10 billion CFU (colony forming units) and were taken for over eight weeks continuously.

What does this mean for parents and kids?

There hasn’t been a systematic review and meta-analysis like this for children, but other reviews like this suggest that these findings in adults should hold for kids as well. This study suggests that a probiotic for adults should have over 10 billion CFU and should be taken over eight weeks straight. The American Academy of Family Physicians suggests that probiotics between 5-10 billion CFU are safe for kids.

‍

Original article:
Pontes KSDS, et al. Effects of probiotics on body adiposity and cardiovascular risk markers in individuals with overweight and obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clinical Nutrition. 2021 Aug;40(8):4915-4931. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2021.06.023. Epub 2021 Jul 3. PMID: 34358838. https://www.clinicalnutritionjournal.com/article/S0261-5614(21)00319-8/fulltext

‍

New Research: Probiotics improve body weight, body fat, and heart health in adults

Directions

Ingredients

Close
Theme icon

Podcast /

Content /

Nourish

New Research: Probiotics improve body weight, body fat, and heart health in adults

Learn more about how probiotics can boost your overall health — not just your gut's!

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

October 5, 2021

Join The Family Thrive community and download the mobile app, all for free!

JOIN TODAY

Key takeaways

1

Not all studies of probiotics have shown the same results for the effects of probiotics

2

This study reviewed all the published randomized controlled trials that examined the effects of probiotics in adults on changes in weight, body fat, and heart health

3

When taken together, studies show that probiotics have a positive effect on adult weight, body fat, and heart health

Printer-friendly
Print
Printer-friendly

Font size

Low hassle, high nutrition

Fierce Food: Easy

Fierce Food: Easy

50/50 mixes of powerful veggies and starchy favorites

Fierce Food: Balance

Fierce Food: Balance

Maximize nutrients, minimize sugar and starch

Fierce Food: Power

Fierce Food: Power

Ingredients

Kitchen Equipment

Ingredient Replacement

View replacement list (PDF)

for Subscribers

ListenRead the article

for Subscribers

Learn more

More details

for Subscribers

ListenRead the article

for Subscribers

Learn more

More details

for Subscribers

ListenRead the article

for Subscribers

Learn more

More details

for Subscribers

ListenRead the article

for Subscribers

Learn more

for Subscribers

More details

for Subscribers

ListenRead the article

for Subscribers

Learn more

More details

Reading time:

3 minutes

What kind of study was this?

This was a systematic review and a meta-analysis. This means that researchers set out to review all the previous research published on a particular topic. A systematic review will often summarize the findings qualitatively, in writing. Meta-analyses, however, summarize the findings quantitatively. This study did both.

What did researchers want to know?

The researchers noted that randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which are the gold-standard type of study in health science, haven’t always shown the same results for probiotics on weight, body fat, and heart health. So, they wanted to know what would happen if they looked at all the published RCTs on this topic.

What did the researchers actually do?

Before starting the review they decided what types of studies they would include and exclude (these are known as inclusion and exclusion criteria). They decided they’d only review studies that were RCTs that examined the effects of probiotics in adults on weight loss, body fat (what they call “adiposity”), and heart health (what they call cardiovascular disease risk markers). They then summarized the findings in writing (qualitatively) and used statistics to estimate the average results of all the studies reviewed.

What did the researchers find?

They found that, when all the RCTs are taken together, probiotics had a statistically significant effect on reducing body weight and body fat and improving markers of heart health. They found that body weight, body fat, and heart health markers improved in studies that looked both at probiotics with a single bacterial species and in studies that looked at multiple bacterial species. But body fat (adiposity) only improved when the probiotic pills had over 10 billion CFU (colony forming units) and were taken for over eight weeks continuously.

What does this mean for parents and kids?

There hasn’t been a systematic review and meta-analysis like this for children, but other reviews like this suggest that these findings in adults should hold for kids as well. This study suggests that a probiotic for adults should have over 10 billion CFU and should be taken over eight weeks straight. The American Academy of Family Physicians suggests that probiotics between 5-10 billion CFU are safe for kids.

‍

Original article:
Pontes KSDS, et al. Effects of probiotics on body adiposity and cardiovascular risk markers in individuals with overweight and obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clinical Nutrition. 2021 Aug;40(8):4915-4931. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2021.06.023. Epub 2021 Jul 3. PMID: 34358838. https://www.clinicalnutritionjournal.com/article/S0261-5614(21)00319-8/fulltext

‍

What kind of study was this?

This was a systematic review and a meta-analysis. This means that researchers set out to review all the previous research published on a particular topic. A systematic review will often summarize the findings qualitatively, in writing. Meta-analyses, however, summarize the findings quantitatively. This study did both.

What did researchers want to know?

The researchers noted that randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which are the gold-standard type of study in health science, haven’t always shown the same results for probiotics on weight, body fat, and heart health. So, they wanted to know what would happen if they looked at all the published RCTs on this topic.

What did the researchers actually do?

Before starting the review they decided what types of studies they would include and exclude (these are known as inclusion and exclusion criteria). They decided they’d only review studies that were RCTs that examined the effects of probiotics in adults on weight loss, body fat (what they call “adiposity”), and heart health (what they call cardiovascular disease risk markers). They then summarized the findings in writing (qualitatively) and used statistics to estimate the average results of all the studies reviewed.

What did the researchers find?

They found that, when all the RCTs are taken together, probiotics had a statistically significant effect on reducing body weight and body fat and improving markers of heart health. They found that body weight, body fat, and heart health markers improved in studies that looked both at probiotics with a single bacterial species and in studies that looked at multiple bacterial species. But body fat (adiposity) only improved when the probiotic pills had over 10 billion CFU (colony forming units) and were taken for over eight weeks continuously.

What does this mean for parents and kids?

There hasn’t been a systematic review and meta-analysis like this for children, but other reviews like this suggest that these findings in adults should hold for kids as well. This study suggests that a probiotic for adults should have over 10 billion CFU and should be taken over eight weeks straight. The American Academy of Family Physicians suggests that probiotics between 5-10 billion CFU are safe for kids.

‍

Original article:
Pontes KSDS, et al. Effects of probiotics on body adiposity and cardiovascular risk markers in individuals with overweight and obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clinical Nutrition. 2021 Aug;40(8):4915-4931. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2021.06.023. Epub 2021 Jul 3. PMID: 34358838. https://www.clinicalnutritionjournal.com/article/S0261-5614(21)00319-8/fulltext

‍

What kind of study was this?

This was a systematic review and a meta-analysis. This means that researchers set out to review all the previous research published on a particular topic. A systematic review will often summarize the findings qualitatively, in writing. Meta-analyses, however, summarize the findings quantitatively. This study did both.

What did researchers want to know?

The researchers noted that randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which are the gold-standard type of study in health science, haven’t always shown the same results for probiotics on weight, body fat, and heart health. So, they wanted to know what would happen if they looked at all the published RCTs on this topic.

What did the researchers actually do?

Before starting the review they decided what types of studies they would include and exclude (these are known as inclusion and exclusion criteria). They decided they’d only review studies that were RCTs that examined the effects of probiotics in adults on weight loss, body fat (what they call “adiposity”), and heart health (what they call cardiovascular disease risk markers). They then summarized the findings in writing (qualitatively) and used statistics to estimate the average results of all the studies reviewed.

What did the researchers find?

They found that, when all the RCTs are taken together, probiotics had a statistically significant effect on reducing body weight and body fat and improving markers of heart health. They found that body weight, body fat, and heart health markers improved in studies that looked both at probiotics with a single bacterial species and in studies that looked at multiple bacterial species. But body fat (adiposity) only improved when the probiotic pills had over 10 billion CFU (colony forming units) and were taken for over eight weeks continuously.

What does this mean for parents and kids?

There hasn’t been a systematic review and meta-analysis like this for children, but other reviews like this suggest that these findings in adults should hold for kids as well. This study suggests that a probiotic for adults should have over 10 billion CFU and should be taken over eight weeks straight. The American Academy of Family Physicians suggests that probiotics between 5-10 billion CFU are safe for kids.

‍

Original article:
Pontes KSDS, et al. Effects of probiotics on body adiposity and cardiovascular risk markers in individuals with overweight and obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clinical Nutrition. 2021 Aug;40(8):4915-4931. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2021.06.023. Epub 2021 Jul 3. PMID: 34358838. https://www.clinicalnutritionjournal.com/article/S0261-5614(21)00319-8/fulltext

‍

Enjoying this? Subscribe to The Family Thrive for more healthy recipes, video classes, and more.

for Subscribers

ListenRead the article

for Subscribers

Learn more

More details

for Subscribers

ListenRead the article

for Subscribers

Learn more

More details

for Subscribers

ListenRead the article

for Subscribers

Learn more

More details

for Subscribers

ListenRead the article

for Subscribers

Learn more

More details

for Subscribers

ListenRead the article

for Subscribers

Learn more

More details

Discover Nourish

See more
New Research: Probiotics improve body weight, body fat, and heart health in adults

Podcast

Condimentum eu tortor bibendum.

By

Jackie Kovic

New Research: Probiotics improve body weight, body fat, and heart health in adults

Podcast

Condimentum eu tortor bibendum.

By

Jackie Kovic

Podcast

Condimentum eu tortor bibendum.

By

Jackie Kovic

Pumpkin Protein Smoothie

Podcast

Pumpkin Protein Smoothie

By

Chef Andrew Johnson

Delicata Squash Tacos

Podcast

Delicata Squash Tacos

By

Chef Andrew Johnson

Lemon Zucchini Bread

Podcast

Lemon Zucchini Bread

By

Chef Andrew Johnson

Thai-Style Curried Pumpkin Soup

Podcast

Thai-Style Curried Pumpkin Soup

By

Chef Andrew Johnson

Podcast Ep. 21: Thriving Through the Teen Years with Jena Curtis, EdD, and Vanessa Baker, Parent-Teen Relationship Coach

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 21: Thriving Through the Teen Years with Jena Curtis, EdD, and Vanessa Baker, Parent-Teen Relationship Coach

By

The Family Thrive Podcast

Parenting Is the Spiritual Practice the World Needs Right Now

Podcast

Parenting Is the Spiritual Practice the World Needs Right Now

By

Justin Wilford, PhD

New Research: One science-backed trick for parents to build stronger muscles

Podcast

New Research: One science-backed trick for parents to build stronger muscles

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

New Research: Parent intimacy may reduce adolescent depression

Podcast

New Research: Parent intimacy may reduce adolescent depression

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

New Research: High-carb meals activate brain areas associated with addiction and hunger

Podcast

New Research: High-carb meals activate brain areas associated with addiction and hunger

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

New Research Tuesday: One More Reason to Avoid Pop Tarts, Cheez-Its, and Other Processed Snacks

Podcast

New Research Tuesday: One More Reason to Avoid Pop Tarts, Cheez-Its, and Other Processed Snacks

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

Pumpkin Protein Smoothie

Recipes

Pumpkin Protein Smoothie

By

Chef Andrew Johnson

Delicata Squash Tacos

Recipes

Delicata Squash Tacos

By

Chef Andrew Johnson

Lemon Zucchini Bread

Recipes

Lemon Zucchini Bread

By

Chef Andrew Johnson

Thai-Style Curried Pumpkin Soup

Recipes

Thai-Style Curried Pumpkin Soup

By

Chef Andrew Johnson

Podcast Ep. 21: Thriving Through the Teen Years with Jena Curtis, EdD, and Vanessa Baker, Parent-Teen Relationship Coach

Podcasts

Podcast Ep. 21: Thriving Through the Teen Years with Jena Curtis, EdD, and Vanessa Baker, Parent-Teen Relationship Coach

By

The Family Thrive Podcast

Parenting Is the Spiritual Practice the World Needs Right Now

Pro Perspective

Parenting Is the Spiritual Practice the World Needs Right Now

By

Justin Wilford, PhD

New Research: One science-backed trick for parents to build stronger muscles

New Research Tuesday

New Research: One science-backed trick for parents to build stronger muscles

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

New Research: Parent intimacy may reduce adolescent depression

New Research Tuesday

New Research: Parent intimacy may reduce adolescent depression

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

New Research: High-carb meals activate brain areas associated with addiction and hunger

New Research Tuesday

New Research: High-carb meals activate brain areas associated with addiction and hunger

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

New Research Tuesday: One More Reason to Avoid Pop Tarts, Cheez-Its, and Other Processed Snacks

New Research Tuesday

New Research Tuesday: One More Reason to Avoid Pop Tarts, Cheez-Its, and Other Processed Snacks

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

Subscribe to get all the goods

Continue the conversation with other families and our wellness experts on our social platform.

Join the app for free

More Nourish content

Embody
/
Flourish
/
Connect
New Research: Healthy Weight in Children Due More to Food Than Exercise

Podcast

New Research: Healthy Weight in Children Due More to Food Than Exercise

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

New Research: Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Make Your Family Smarter

Podcast

New Research: Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Make Your Family Smarter

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

New Research Tuesday: One More Reason to Avoid Pop Tarts, Cheez-Its, and Other Processed Snacks

Podcast

New Research Tuesday: One More Reason to Avoid Pop Tarts, Cheez-Its, and Other Processed Snacks

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

Meet The Family Thrive Experts: Jena Curtis, EdD

Podcast

Meet The Family Thrive Experts: Jena Curtis, EdD

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

Pumpkin Protein Smoothie

Podcast

Pumpkin Protein Smoothie

By

Chef Andrew Johnson

Avocado Pepita Dip

Podcast

Avocado Pepita Dip

By

Alexia Hall

Lost Your Cool? Here Are 3 Steps to Greater Parent Patience

Podcast

Lost Your Cool? Here Are 3 Steps to Greater Parent Patience

By

Max Brandel

Disconnected Dad? These Three Steps Will Plug You Back In

Podcast

Disconnected Dad? These Three Steps Will Plug You Back In

By

Justin Wilford, PhD

New Research: Some Masculine Traits Make for Great Dads, Others Not so Much

Podcast

New Research: Some Masculine Traits Make for Great Dads, Others Not so Much

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

Lemon Zucchini Bread

Podcast

Lemon Zucchini Bread

By

Chef Andrew Johnson

More Embody content

Nourish
/
Flourish
/
Connect
New Research: Exercise Helps Build a Sense of Purpose in Life

Podcast

New Research: Exercise Helps Build a Sense of Purpose in Life

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

Podcast Ep. 3: It’s Time to Have “The Talk” With Gender and Sexuality Expert Jena Curtis, EdD

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 3: It’s Time to Have “The Talk” With Gender and Sexuality Expert Jena Curtis, EdD

By

The Family Thrive Podcast

Podcast Ep. 10: Tuning Into Intuition and Traditional Healing With Maria Barrera, LAc

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 10: Tuning Into Intuition and Traditional Healing With Maria Barrera, LAc

By

The Family Thrive Podcast

5 Ways to Identify and Prevent Parental Burnout

Podcast

5 Ways to Identify and Prevent Parental Burnout

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

5 Reasons Exercise Makes You a Better Parent

Podcast

5 Reasons Exercise Makes You a Better Parent

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

Doctor Dad: Why I’m Committed to My Family’s Dinner Time

Podcast

Doctor Dad: Why I’m Committed to My Family’s Dinner Time

By

Colin Champ, MD

Podcast Ep. 4: Ancestral Approaches to Family Thriving With Colin Champ, MD

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 4: Ancestral Approaches to Family Thriving With Colin Champ, MD

By

The Family Thrive Podcast

Give This a Try: Blue-Light-Blocking Glasses Before Bed

Podcast

Give This a Try: Blue-Light-Blocking Glasses Before Bed

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

Give This a Try: 4 AM Anxiety Meditation

Podcast

Give This a Try: 4 AM Anxiety Meditation

By

The Family Thrive Expert TTeam

New Research: How the Moon Controls Our Sleep

Podcast

New Research: How the Moon Controls Our Sleep

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

More Flourish content

Nourish
/
Embody
/
Connect
Parenting Is the Spiritual Practice the World Needs Right Now

Podcast

Parenting Is the Spiritual Practice the World Needs Right Now

By

Justin Wilford, PhD

Pod Wisdom: What Parents Should Know About Highly Sensitive People (HSPs)

Podcast

Pod Wisdom: What Parents Should Know About Highly Sensitive People (HSPs)

By

The Family Thrive Podcast

New Research: Some Masculine Traits Make for Great Dads, Others Not so Much

Podcast

New Research: Some Masculine Traits Make for Great Dads, Others Not so Much

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

New Research: Parent intimacy may reduce adolescent depression

Podcast

New Research: Parent intimacy may reduce adolescent depression

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

Disconnected Dad? These Three Steps Will Plug You Back In

Podcast

Disconnected Dad? These Three Steps Will Plug You Back In

By

Justin Wilford, PhD

Podcast Ep. 12: Learning How to Build More Authentic Family Relationships with Ryel Kestano

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 12: Learning How to Build More Authentic Family Relationships with Ryel Kestano

By

The Family Thrive Podcast

One Big Idea: Self-Reparenting

Podcast

One Big Idea: Self-Reparenting

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

Why This Pediatric Dietitian Is Praising Chrissy Teigen’s Stigma-Busting Tweets

Podcast

Why This Pediatric Dietitian Is Praising Chrissy Teigen’s Stigma-Busting Tweets

By

Tiffani Ghere, Pediatric Dietician, Certified Lactation Educator

Podcast Ep. 7: Growing up between cultures, healing trauma, and cultivating self-compassion with Nadia Torres-Eaton, PsyD

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 7: Growing up between cultures, healing trauma, and cultivating self-compassion with Nadia Torres-Eaton, PsyD

By

The Family Thrive Podcast

Give This a Try: Gratitude Lists

Podcast

Give This a Try: Gratitude Lists

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

More Connect content

Nourish
/
Embody
/
Flourish
Podcast Ep. 8: How to Talk to Your Kids About Race and Ethnicity With Sofia Pertuz, PhD

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 8: How to Talk to Your Kids About Race and Ethnicity With Sofia Pertuz, PhD

By

The Family Thrive Podcast

One Big Idea: Authentic Relating

Podcast

One Big Idea: Authentic Relating

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

5 Ways to Connect with Our Kids’ Emotions

Podcast

5 Ways to Connect with Our Kids’ Emotions

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

Level Up Your Parent Communication Skills #3: Getting Present in the Body

Podcast

Level Up Your Parent Communication Skills #3: Getting Present in the Body

By

Alicia Wuth, PsyD and Justin Wilford, PhD

Mastering the Meltdown: The Cereal Offender

Podcast

Mastering the Meltdown: The Cereal Offender

By

Alicia Wuth, PsyD and Alyssa Stewart

How to NEVER Lose Another Argument With Your Partner

Podcast

How to NEVER Lose Another Argument With Your Partner

By

Justin Wilford, PhD, and Alicia Wuth, PsyD

Lost Your Cool? Here Are 3 Steps to Greater Parent Patience

Podcast

Lost Your Cool? Here Are 3 Steps to Greater Parent Patience

By

Max Brandel

Why Did We Create The Family Thrive?

Podcast

Why Did We Create The Family Thrive?

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

Five Nuggets of Wisdom for Building a Better Relationship With Your Teen, Straight From the Experts

Podcast

Five Nuggets of Wisdom for Building a Better Relationship With Your Teen, Straight From the Experts

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

New Research: When Parents Back Off, Kids Become Resilient

Podcast

New Research: When Parents Back Off, Kids Become Resilient

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

Join for free
Login
Join the app today
AboutFAQContact
Join the app today
Type
Recipes
WorkshopsOur CommunityThe Magazine
AboutFAQContact
Submission Guidelines  Terms and Conditions   Privacy policy  Copyright © 2021,The Family Thrive. All rights reserved. Designed with love by Good Kind