Data published in Food Research International indicated that daily supplementation with Kerry’s GanedenBC30 probiotic led to less nasal congestion, itchy nose, and hoarseness. Supplements were also associated with shorter duration of URTI symptoms, including hoarseness, headache, red eyes, and fatigue.
In addition, scientists from the Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro (Mexico), Unidad de Investigación Biomédica de Zacatecas (Mexico), and the Keller Consulting Group (USA) found that B. coagulans GBI-30, 6086 supplementation led to a “significantly reduced the incidence rate of flatulence”.
“These beneficial effects on upper-respiratory and gastrointestinal tract infection symptoms were associated with modulation of the immune system, since GanedenBC30 altered the serum levels of TNF-alpha, CD163, G-CSF, ICAM-1, IL-6, IL-8, MCP-2, RAGE, uPAR, and PF4,” they wrote.
“Therefore, these results suggest that GanedenBC30 may be used as a functional ingredient with positive immunomodulatory properties in children.
“This study contributes in the biomedical and clinical research with scientific information that supports the beneficial effects of probiotics in the prevention and treatment of immune-related acute infections.”
“Exciting”
Commenting on the study’s findings, Don Cox, R&D Director, Kerry ProActive Health, told NutraIngredients-LATAM: “This research is particularly exciting because it is the first to focus on children and shows the enormous potential of GanedenBC30 as a functional ingredient in products for kids.
“These latest findings support GanedenBC30’s already large body of evidence for digestive and immune health benefits and Kerry’s ongoing efforts to provide an efficacious probiotic ingredient.
“At this time, we are evaluating the study results and considering next steps for future studies involving children. “
Study details
The study included 80 school children aged between six and eight. The children were randomly assigned to receive a daily sachet containing one billion colony forming units (CFUs) of GanedenBC30 or placebo for three months.
Results showed that children in the GanedenBC30 group had significantly lower incidence of URTI symptoms including nasal congestion, bloody nasal mucus, itchy nose, and hoarseness, compared to placebo, while the duration of some URTI-associated symptoms was also less.
Probiotic consumption was also associated with changes in a range of immune and inflammatory biomarkers.
“Therefore, probiotic B. coagulans GBI-30, 6086 modulated immune-related proteins in healthy children, decreasing several URTI and GITI symptoms, thus, this functional ingredient may contribute to a healthier lifestyle,” concluded the researchers.
Probiotic awareness in Mexico
According to a 2018 white paper from Kerry titled, A Global Look at the Digestive Health and Probiotic Market, Latin America is the fastest growing region for probiotics in the world, with Brazil contributing to 52% of the areas total probiotic market. Mexico is second, with 28% of regional growth.
Functional foods and beverages are one of the largest growing market segments in Latin America and are projected to grow quickly, said the company. A rising middle-class, with more disposable income is expanding awareness, innovation and product availability across the region.
The company’s spore-forming GanedenBC30 strain (Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086) has significant advantages in food and beverage applications owing to its ability to withstand extremes of temperature and harsh processing techniques like heat, shear, HTST and HPP pasteurization.
Mexico’s Federal Commission for Protection Against Health Risks (COFEPRIS) approved the use of GanedenBC30 (Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086) as an ingredient for food and beverage enrichment in 2014.
Source: Food Research International
Volume 125, November 2019, 108567, doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2019.108567
“Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6068 decreases upper respiratory and gastrointestinal tract symptoms in healthy Mexican scholar-aged children by modulating immune-related proteins”
Authors: M.A. Anaya-Loyola et al.
