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A study by Marx et al. published in Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews in 2020 systematically reviewed 22 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the effects of probiotics, prebiotics, and fermented foods on cognitive outcomes. Overall, cognition did not show any statistically significant improvement, but specific bacterial strains and prebiotic interventions conferred cognitive benefits to specific populations.

Identifying Effective Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Fermented Foods for Cognitive Function: Meta-Analysis Insights

Interesting News . Apr 22, 2025

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A study by Marx et al. published in Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews in 2020 systematically reviewed 22 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the effects of probiotics, prebiotics, and fermented foods on cognitive outcomes. Overall, cognition did not show any statistically significant improvement, but specific bacterial strains and prebiotic interventions conferred cognitive benefits to specific populations.

1. Probiotics with Significant Cognitive Benefits

Effective Probiotic Strains & Dosages

From the included studies, these probiotic strains demonstrated significant cognitive improvements:

Probiotic StrainDosage (CFU/day)PopulationCognitive Benefit
Lactobacillus plantarum C291.25 × 10¹⁰Mild Cognitive ImpairmentImproved combined cognitive function, attention (P = 0.02)
Lactobacillus helveticus IDCC3801500 mg – 2000 mgHealthy elderly adultsImproved correct response rate in cognitive tasks (P = 0.034)
Lactobacillus casei Shirota6.5 billion CFUHealthy adultsNo benefit in memory recall
Lactobacillus fermentum, L. casei, Bifidobacterium bifidum, L. acidophilus2 billion CFU/gAlzheimer’s diseaseSignificant MMSE improvement (P < 0.001)
Lactobacillus Plantarum 299v20 billion CFU + SSRIMajor Depressive DisorderImproved processing speed and recall (P = 0.006, P = 0.023)
Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum4 billion CFU + Selenium (200 mcg)Alzheimer’s diseaseImproved MMSE scores (P < 0.001)
Lactobacillus rhamnosus P820 billion CFUStressed adultsImproved verbal learning, social-emotional cognition (P = 0.002)

Main Points: Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus helveticus, and, of course, Lactobacillus fermentum were the champions of cognition enhancement among these probiotics, especially in older and cognitively impaired adults.

2. Prebiotics with Significant Cognitive Benefits

Effective Prebiotic Types & Dosages

PrebioticDosagePopulationCognitive Benefit
Oligofructose-enriched inulin5g – 10g/dayHealthy adultsImproved memory recall (P < 0.001)
B-GOS® (β-galactooligosaccharides)3.5g/dayPsychosis patientsImproved executive function (P = 0.045)
FOS + Darmocare Pre® inulin3.4g/dayElderly adultsNo significant improvement
Fructooligosaccharides (FOS)5.5g/dayHealthy young adultsReduced attentional bias toward negative stimuli (P < 0.05)
 

Overall conclusion: Notable benefits for memory and executive functions were demonstrated by oligofructose-enriched inulin and β-GOS.

3. Fermented foods: substances with high cognitive benefits.

Effective fermented foods and dosages

Fermented FoodDosagePopulationCognitive Benefit
Lactobacillus helveticus-fermented milk190g/dayMiddle-aged adultsImproved attention composite scores (P = 0.028)
Probiotic milk (L. acidophilus, L. casei, B. bifidum, L. fermentum)200mL/dayAlzheimer’s patientsImproved MMSE (P < 0.001)
Kimchi, Fermented soybean (DW2009)800mg/dayMild Cognitive ImpairmentImproved cognitive function (P = 0.02)

Key takeaway: There are very beneficial outcomes in fermented milk interventions effective interventions and in kimchi.

Evidence Level for Cognition Impact

Moderate levels of evidence were achieved in the meta-analysis by several strains and prebiotics proving beneficial, and overall cognition remained unchanged.

Strong evidence (RCTs with great effects):

  • Lactobacillus plantarum C29 (Improved cognitive scores in MCI patients)
  • Lactobacillus helveticus IDCC3801 (Improved cognitive performance in old adults)
  • Lactobacillus fermentum-based probiotic milk (The significant effect on Alzheimer’s patients)
  • Oligofructose-enriched inulin (Improved memory recall in healthy adults)
Identifying Effective Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Fermented Foods for Cognitive Function Meta-Analysis Insights_FRl_thumb

Very limited evidence (Mixed results, smaller sample sizes): B-GOS & FOS (Some improvement in certain cognitive domains)

Fermented soybean extract (DW2009) (Improved cognitive test measures but yet to be validated)

No Impact:

  • Lactobacillus casei Shirota (No memory improvement)
  • Darmocare Pre-inulin (No apparent effect on cognition).

Final Verdict: Probiotics and Prebiotics Worth Considering?

If you are choosing supplements that are intended to help cognitive function, strongest evidence suggests these:

  1. Probiotics
    • Lactobacillus plantarum C29 (Best for MCI)
    • Lactobacillus helveticus IDCC3801 (Best for older adults)
    • Probiotic milk from Lactobacillus fermentum (Best for Alzheimer patients)
  2. Prebiotics
    • Oligofructose-enriched inulin (5-10g/day) (Best for memory recall)
    • β-GOS (3.5g/day) (Best for executive function in psychosis patients)
  3. Foods with Probiotics
    • Kimchi or fermented soybean (DW2009, 800mg/day)
    • Lactobacillus helveticus-fermented milk (190g/day)

What Will the Future Look Like?

Future research would need to focus on:-

  • Larger trials conducted long term to confirm these effects
  • Standard dosages that could be set for probiotics and prebiotics.
  • Underlying mechanisms of the gut-brain connection with cognitive health.
  • For now, probiotics, such as L. plantarum C29, inulin as a prebiotic, and fermented foods such as kimchi, look to be the most promising for augmenting cognitive ability.
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