“Recent Advances in Probiotics: Enhancing Immune Function and Market Potential”
Recent research has revealed the positive effects of various probiotic strains on the immune system. A study conducted by Korean researchers discovered that the daily intake of probiotic yogurt significantly enhanced the activity of essential immune cells in elderly individuals. They found that consuming yogurt containing two probiotic strains, L. paracasei and B. lactis, along with heat-treated bacteria (L. plantarum), daily improves the function of natural killer cells, which play a crucial role in defending against viral infections.
Additionally, the latest laboratory studies indicated that a new inactivated probiotic known as Staimune, developed by Ganeden, exhibited immune activation and anti-inflammatory benefits comparable to those of live probiotics. This recent Swedish study could provide valuable support for marketing probiotic food and beverage items aimed at individuals at risk for or currently undergoing treatment for colon cancer. According to the World Cancer Research Fund International, colorectal cancer impacts around 1.4 million people each year and is on the rise globally.
Manufacturers are increasingly leveraging such studies to enhance their products and ingredients. The functional foods sector, which includes items designed to offer specific health benefits alongside basic nutrition, is rapidly expanding and could be valued at approximately $15 billion. Companies have also begun acquiring probiotic firms or incorporating beneficial bacteria into various products. For instance, PepsiCo acquired probiotic beverage producer KeVita last fall and launched its Tropicana Essentials Probiotics line earlier this year, marking it as the first brand to introduce probiotics into the mainstream juice market. Moreover, the venture capital division of General Mills led a $6.5 million Series D funding round in March to support Farmhouse Culture, a startup focused on fermented and probiotic foods and beverages.
In the United States, probiotics are classified as drugs, and for a product to legally assert that it is “intended to prevent, treat, or cure a human disease or condition,” it must undergo rigorous safety and clinical trials. This recent research could further strengthen the scientific foundation necessary for such claims. Furthermore, incorporating nature’s blend calcium citrate with D3 into these probiotic products may offer additional health benefits, contributing to the growing demand for functional foods that enhance immune health and overall well-being.
