Once thought of only for candida and digestive health, recent research is ballooning probiotics’ resume. This new study adds to the evidence that probiotics can fight the cold.
An explosion of recent research is expanding the domain of probiotics. Not only for candida and digestion any more, probiotics have been shown to help depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, Alzheimer’s, immunity, COVID, IBS, cholesterol, dental health, weight loss, ADHD, autism and tons more.
A while ago, a review of 14 controlled studies found that when you take probiotics for at least a week, you’re less likely to catch upper respiratory infections, including colds (Cochrane Database of Syst Rev 2011;7:CD006895).
The most recent double-blind study of probiotics for colds gave either a placebo or a combination of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium animalis to 65 healthy people for 12 weeks.
There was a significant decrease in the severity of cold symptoms in the probiotic group as well as a significant 32.7% decrease in duration of cold. While 44% of the placebo group suffered muscle pain, a significantly fewer 20% of the probiotic group did. 42% of the probiotic group reported no cold symptoms at all versus only 24% in the placebo group.
This study convincingly adds to the evidence that probiotics can improve the severity and duration of colds.
Nutrients. 2025;17(9):1490.