Fermented milk containing Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173 010 improved self-reported digestive comfort amongst a general population of adults. A randomized, open-label, controlled, pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
Some probiotics improve digestive comfort of people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, but this needs confirmation in a healthy population. The objective of this pilot study was to investigate the effect of consuming fermented milk containing the probiotics Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173010 and yoghourt strains (test product) on digestive comfort and symptoms amongst adults without diagnosed gastrointestinal disorders.


METHODS
The study was designed to approximate a real-life situation, by using a branded product in the intervention groups. In an open-label, randomized, controlled trial, 371 adults reporting digestive discomfort were randomized into three groups who had a daily consumption of either one or two pots of test product over 2 weeks, or to follow their usual diet. Digestive comfort and bother from digestive symptoms were assessed by questionnaire at baseline and follow-up (per protocol population n = 360). Self-reported change in digestive comfort and computed change between baseline and follow-up for each of 20 items were compared between groups (Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test).


RESULTS
A higher percentage of participants consuming the test product reported improved digestive comfort (1-pot group 82.5%; 2-pot group 84.3%), than controls (2.9%). Their self-reported change scores differed significantly (P < 0.001). For both test product groups, almost all symptom scores improved significantly more than controls (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences between 1-pot and 2-pot groups.


CONCLUSIONS
This pilot study shows that daily consumption of a probiotic food in real-life conditions may be useful in improving digestive comfort and symptom experience of adults from general population. Further double-blind randomized controlled studies are required to confirm these health benefits.
Guyonnet
Denis
D
Danone Research, Palaiseau Cedex, France. denis.guyonnet@danone.com
Woodcock
Alison
A
Stefani
Blandine
B
Trevisan
Cristina
C
Hall
Claire
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001644:Bifidobacterium; D005260:Female; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000178:diet therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015014:Yogurt / Q000382:microbiology*; D055815:Young Adult
D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents