Women who consumed the probiotic strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 during and after pregnancy showed fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety in the weeks after their infant’s birth, according to research published in EBioMedicine.
The world’s biggest clinical study on the immune effects of probiotics has found that the L. casei 431 strain could reduce the duration of symptoms from the common cold and flu – though no differences were found in the incidence or severity of illness.
Danone has filed a patent for a probiotic strain that improves the function of the enteric nervous system, claiming it can therefore be used to treat and/or prevent gut disorders such as IBS.