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First of its kind study indicates prebiotic can reduce anxiety A first of its kind clinical trial has shown the ability of Biotis GOS, the galacto-oligosaccharide prebiotic ingredient by FrieslandCampina Ingredients, to reduce self-reported anxiety in young women.
While previous animal studies have suggested a significant impact of the gut microbiota on the development and maturation of brain networks that underlie emotional behaviour, fewer studies have been conducted on humans.
The current research team, including an employee of FrieslandCampina, conducted a four-week trial involving 64 women, aged 18–25, with self-reported anxiety. The women were blindly randomised to receive a daily dose of Biotis
Written by James Kingsland on May 4, 2021 Fact checked by Anna Guildford, Ph.D.
Could prebiotics help relieve anxiety? Getty Images
There is an intimate, two-way line of communication between the gut and the brain, called the gut-brain axis.
This allows the gut microbiota the community of microorganisms living in the gut to affect mood, with possible links to anxiety and depression.
There is good evidence that prebiotics, which feed “friendly” bacteria in the gut, can help relieve depression in healthy adults.
A new study suggests that a type of prebiotic may also reduce anxiety in some females in late adolescence, through changes in their gut microbiota.
Study reveals mental health benefits of prebiotics in young females Daily consumption of prebiotic supplements can improve mental wellbeing and reduce anxiety in young adult females, according to researchers at the University of Surrey.
Evidence from the double-blind study suggest the efficacy of galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) prebiotics is particularly pronounced in young adults with trait (personality-related) anxiety, although significant reductions in state (reactive) anxiety levels were also observed.
Previous research suggests modifying microbial diversity through intake of ‘
psychobiotics’ (probiotics and prebiotics) helps reduce stress, anxiety and depression in a matter of days, as well as improving brain function.
The findings at Surrey university support prevailing theories on the benefits of prebiotics, but this study focused specifically on young adults from late adolescence to early adulthood, which is considered a key development
Prebiotic Supplements Lower Your Anxiety Levels by Hannah Joy on April 28, 2021 at 3:05 PM
In a paper published in the journal
Scientific Reports, researchers from Surrey investigated whether the daily consumption of a prebiotic food supplement could improve overall wellbeing in a group of 18 to 25 year-olds.
The study found that those who received a daily dose of prebiotics improved mental wellbeing by reducing anxiety levels and had better gut health than the control group.
Researchers studied a group of 64 healthy female participants with no current or previous clinical diagnoses of anxiety.
‘A simple and safe food supplement such as prebiotics can improve both the gut bacteria and mental health and wellbeing.’