Researchers at the French institute ETAP have found that probiotics not only promote balanced gut flora but also help treat psychological disorders.
In their study, probiotics significantly reduced feelings of anxiety in rats. The research extended to human participants, who were psychologically evaluated after 30 days. The results showed that probiotics effectively alleviated anxiety symptoms in participants.
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are foods containing live microorganisms attributed with health-promoting functions. They typically include lactic acid bacteria (lactobacilli) and bifidobacteria, which inhibit pathogenic microorganisms and support a healthy balance of intestinal flora. The strains used here were Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175.
Scientists have long suspected a link between the gut and the brain. This study confirms that connection with robust evidence.
