Bifidobacterium bifidum R0071 decreases stress-associated diarrhea-related symptoms and ultimately self-reported stress in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (647.21)

Psychological stress is associated with gastrointestinal (GI) distress. This study determined whether probiotics could normalize stress-associated GI distress and ultimately reduce overall stress. Undergraduate students (20±2 y) undergoing academic stress (final exams at wks 4 to 5) consumed a probiotic (Lactobacillus helveticus R0052, Bifidobacterium bifidum R0071, or Bifidobacterium longum ssp. infantis R0033) or a placebo (n=142 to 147/grp) and self-reported stress (0=no stress to 10=extremely stressed) daily for 6 wks. Each wk participants scored 4 diarrhea-related symptoms (DS, 1=no discomfort to 7=severe discomfort) using the GI Symptom Response Scale; scores were summed. Stress was positively related to DS (P=0.0562). DS were lower with B. bifidum vs placebo at wks 2 and 5 and vs L. helveticus at wk 5. There was an interaction between the intervention and antibiotic use in the prior wk where DS were higher with antibiotics with L. helveticus (P=0.056) and placebo (P=0.009). There was no difference ...