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Supplement encyclopedia

Bifidobacterium longum

Written by Pillintrip Editorial Team Updated

Bifidobacterium longum is a bacterial species. NCC3001, 1714, BB536 and other strains have different studied properties.

Recheck the conclusions and examine the sources before choosing a supplement.

Main conclusion

Potential benefits

The NCC3001 strain shows a preliminary small effect on subjective everyday stress. For strain 1714, the main eight-week sleep comparison was negative. The species name is insufficient: the exact strain matters. [1] [2] [3]

What was studied

Everyday stress: Six weeks; Usual sleep quality: Eight weeks; Memory and attention under examination stress: Eight weeks on each regimen. [1] [2] [3]

How to obtain it from food

B. longum may be included in specially prepared yogurts, fermented milk drinks and other products with added cultures. The commercial yogurt trial specifically used BB536: about 2 billion CFU in a daily serving. Ordinary yogurt starter cultures are other bacteria; “live cultures” alone does not confirm B. longum or a specific strain. For comparison with a capsule, check the strain name, CFU per serving through the end of shelf life, and storage. Kefir, kimchi and sauerkraut are not automatically considered sources of the studied BB536. [1] [2]

Effects and studied questions

Goal or questionResultConfidenceStudiesPopulation studiedKey sources
Everyday stressA preliminary small effect of NCC3001 on subjective stress may be considered.PSS-14 difference −3.28 points out of 56 (95% CI −5.93 to −0.62). Overall PSQI sleep score and the anxiety scale did not differ significantly from placebo.2/51One direct trial described; the count refers to the named publication, not the entire literature.Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum Reduces Perceived Psychological Stress in Healthy Adults: An Exploratory Clinical Trial ↗45 healthy adults with moderate stress
  1. Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum Reduces Perceived Psychological Stress in Healthy Adults: An Exploratory Clinical Trial ↗
Usual sleep qualityThis experiment showed no convincing advantage of 1714 for sustained overall sleep improvement.Final PSQI at week eight: 4.0 versus 4.3, p=0.64. Actigraphy also showed no significant effect. Early individual components did not retain an advantage by the end of treatment.2/51One direct trial described; the count refers to the named publication, not the entire literature.Bifidobacterium longum 1714 improves sleep quality and aspects of well-being in healthy adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial ↗89 adults aged 18–45
  1. Bifidobacterium longum 1714 improves sleep quality and aspects of well-being in healthy adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial ↗
Memory and attention under examination stressThis experiment provides no convincing advantage for sustained improvement in memory and attention.No significant superiority in working and visual memory, attention or perception was found. These are cognitive test results during an examination period.2/51One direct trial described; the count refers to the named publication, not the entire literature.Improvements in sleep indices during exam stress due to consumption of a Bifidobacterium longum ↗30 male students randomized; 20 included in the analysis after withdrawals
  1. Improvements in sleep indices during exam stress due to consumption of a Bifidobacterium longum ↗

The study count refers to the cited source. Reviews with overlapping trials and outcomes from one study are not added together.

Guidance for each goal

Everyday stress

Confidence2/5

A preliminary small effect of NCC3001 on subjective stress may be considered.

Study findings. PSS-14 difference −3.28 points out of 56 (95% CI −5.93 to −0.62). Overall PSQI sleep score and the anxiety scale did not differ significantly from placebo.

Studied regimen10 billion CFU/dayLive B. longum NCC3001 strain
Duration and populationSix weeks45 healthy adults with moderate stress

The confidence scale assesses the reliability of this conclusion, not the probability of an individual result.

Why confidence 2/5?
  • A direct double-blind study, but only 45 participants.
  • Many exploratory outcomes without adjustment; manufacturer employees among the authors.

Effect: 2/5

Sources
  1. Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum Reduces Perceived Psychological Stress in Healthy Adults: An Exploratory Clinical Trial ↗

Usual sleep quality

Confidence2/5

This experiment showed no convincing advantage of 1714 for sustained overall sleep improvement.

Study findings. Final PSQI at week eight: 4.0 versus 4.3, p=0.64. Actigraphy also showed no significant effect. Early individual components did not retain an advantage by the end of treatment.

Studied regimen1 billion CFU/dayLive B. longum 1714 strain
Duration and populationEight weeks89 adults aged 18–45

The confidence scale assesses the reliability of this conclusion, not the probability of an individual result.

Why confidence 2/5?
  • The primary final outcome was negative, as were the objective measurements.
  • One study of a specific strain and age group; the manufacturer participated in the work.

Effect: 2/5

Sources
  1. Bifidobacterium longum 1714 improves sleep quality and aspects of well-being in healthy adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial ↗

Memory and attention under examination stress

Confidence2/5

This experiment provides no convincing advantage for sustained improvement in memory and attention.

Study findings. No significant superiority in working and visual memory, attention or perception was found. These are cognitive test results during an examination period.

Studied regimen1 billion CFU/dayLive B. longum 1714 strain
Duration and populationEight weeks on each regimen30 male students randomized; 20 included in the analysis after withdrawals

The confidence scale assesses the reliability of this conclusion, not the probability of an individual result.

Why confidence 2/5?
  • A randomized double-blind crossover comparison.
  • Substantial losses from the 30 randomized participants, a small homogeneous sample and many tests.

Effect: 2/5

Sources
  1. Improvements in sleep indices during exam stress due to consumption of a Bifidobacterium longum ↗
How to read the confidence scale 1–5

The rating considers study quality, directness and applicability to the stated group and regimen. It is an editorial scale, not the probability of an individual result.

Safety and limitations

Check the strain code, live or inactivated form, CFU and storage. Gas and other digestive complaints may occur. In severe illness, immunodeficiency and premature infants, live probiotics require a decision by the treating team: invasive infections have been reported. Antibiotics may reduce the viability of some bacteria; these data do not establish a universal dosing interval. In immunodeficiency, severe illness and premature infants, live microorganisms require a separate decision: invasive infections have been reported. Inactivated material cannot be assessed using the viability rules for a live culture.

Probiotics — Fact Sheet for Consumers (NIH ODS) ↗ · Probiotics — Health Professional Fact Sheet (NIH ODS) ↗ · Effects of Bifidobacterium longum BB536 and Bifidobacterium breve MCC1274 on Body Composition in Normal and Overweight Adults in Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study ↗ · Safety and tolerance of three probiotic strains in healthy infants: a multi-centre randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial ↗ · A Multi-Hospital Comparative Study on the Efficacy of Probiotics Versus Placebo in Preventing Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea in Adult Patients ↗ · Probiotic viability in the gastrointestinal tract in a randomised placebo controlled trial: combining molecular biology and novel cultivation techniques ↗

Forms

Live BB536: Check studied products and viable bacterial counts by strain and expiry date. 35624: Results differed by dose and capsule dissolution; more CFU does not mean a greater effect. CECT 7347, live ES1: Not equivalent to heat-treated HT-ES1 of the same strain. CECT 7347, HT-ES1: Inactivated cell counts must not be recorded as viable CFU. NCC3001, 1714 and mixtures: Separate strains and formulations; effects should not be combined into a species ranking.

Food sources

B. longum may be included in specially prepared yogurts, fermented milk drinks and other products with added cultures. The commercial yogurt trial specifically used BB536: about 2 billion CFU in a daily serving. Ordinary yogurt starter cultures are other bacteria; “live cultures” alone does not confirm B. longum or a specific strain. For comparison with a capsule, check the strain name, CFU per serving through the end of shelf life, and storage. Kefir, kimchi and sauerkraut are not automatically considered sources of the studied BB536.

Probiotic viability in the gastrointestinal tract in a randomised placebo controlled trial: combining molecular biology and novel cultivation techniques ↗

Studies

PublicationWhat was studiedParticipantsForm and doseResult
Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum Reduces Perceived Psychological Stress in Healthy Adults: An Exploratory Clinical Trial ↗Everyday stress45 healthy adults with moderate stressLive B. longum NCC3001 strain: 10 billion CFU/day. Six weeksPSS-14 difference −3.28 points out of 56 (95% CI −5.93 to −0.62). Overall PSQI sleep score and the anxiety scale did not differ significantly from placebo.
Bifidobacterium longum 1714 improves sleep quality and aspects of well-being in healthy adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial ↗Usual sleep quality89 adults aged 18–45Live B. longum 1714 strain: 1 billion CFU/day. Eight weeksFinal PSQI at week eight: 4.0 versus 4.3, p=0.64. Actigraphy also showed no significant effect. Early individual components did not retain an advantage by the end of treatment.
Improvements in sleep indices during exam stress due to consumption of a Bifidobacterium longum ↗Memory and attention under examination stress30 male students randomized; 20 included in the analysis after withdrawalsLive B. longum 1714 strain: 1 billion CFU/day. Eight weeks on each regimenNo significant superiority in working and visual memory, attention or perception was found. These are cognitive test results during an examination period.

Sources

Sources
  1. Probiotics — Health Professional Fact Sheet (NIH ODS) ↗
  2. Probiotics — Fact Sheet for Consumers (NIH ODS) ↗
  3. Safety and tolerance of three probiotic strains in healthy infants: a multi-centre randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial ↗
  4. Improvements in sleep indices during exam stress due to consumption of a Bifidobacterium longum ↗
  5. Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum Reduces Perceived Psychological Stress in Healthy Adults: An Exploratory Clinical Trial ↗
  6. Bifidobacterium longum 1714 improves sleep quality and aspects of well-being in healthy adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial ↗
  7. Effects of Bifidobacterium longum BB536 and Bifidobacterium breve MCC1274 on Body Composition in Normal and Overweight Adults in Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study ↗
  8. A Multi-Hospital Comparative Study on the Efficacy of Probiotics Versus Placebo in Preventing Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea in Adult Patients ↗
  9. Probiotic viability in the gastrointestinal tract in a randomised placebo controlled trial: combining molecular biology and novel cultivation techniques ↗