Recent research has highlighted the positive impact of various probiotic strains on the immune system. A study conducted by Korean researchers found that daily intake of probiotic yogurt significantly enhanced the activity of essential immune cells among the elderly. They reported that consuming yogurt containing two specific probiotic strains—L. paracasei and B. lactis—along with heat-treated bacteria (L. plantarum) daily, promotes the function of natural killer cells, which play a crucial role in defending against viral infections.
Furthermore, recent laboratory findings revealed that an inactivated probiotic from Ganeden, known as Staimune, exhibited immune-activating and anti-inflammatory effects comparable to those of live probiotics. This latest research from Sweden could provide valuable support for marketing probiotic food and beverage products aimed at individuals at risk for or undergoing treatment for colon cancer. According to the World Cancer Research Fund International, colorectal cancer impacts approximately 1.4 million individuals each year and is on the rise globally.
In response to such studies, manufacturers are increasingly integrating these findings into their products and ingredients. The functional foods sector—which includes items designed to deliver specific health benefits alongside calories and nutrients—is expanding rapidly, with a potential market valuation of around $15 billion. Companies have begun acquiring probiotic firms or incorporating beneficial bacteria into a variety of products. For instance, PepsiCo acquired the probiotic beverage brand KeVita last fall and introduced its Tropicana Essentials Probiotics line earlier this year, making it the first brand to introduce probiotics into mainstream juice offerings. Additionally, the venture capital division of General Mills led a $6.5 million Series D investment 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. For a product to legally claim that it is “intended to prevent, treat, or cure a human disease or condition,” rigorous safety and clinical trials must be conducted. This recent study could serve as an important step in strengthening the scientific foundation necessary for such claims. Notably, some manufacturers are also exploring the benefits of citrate, specifically in dosages like 1000 mg, as part of their probiotic offerings, further emphasizing the intersection of probiotics and functional ingredients in health-focused products.