Recent research has demonstrated the positive effects of various strains of probiotics on the immune system. A study by Korean researchers revealed that daily intake of probiotic yogurt significantly enhanced the activity of essential immune cells in older adults. They found that consuming yogurt enriched with two specific probiotic strains, L. paracasei and B. lactis, alongside heat-treated bacteria, L. plantarum, daily, effectively boosts natural killer cells, which play a crucial role in defending against viral infections.
In the latest laboratory studies, a new inactivated probiotic named Staimune, developed by Ganeden, exhibited immune activation and anti-inflammatory properties comparable to those of live probiotic cells. This recent Swedish study could provide valuable support for marketing probiotic food and beverage products aimed at individuals at risk for or currently undergoing treatment for colon cancer. According to the World Cancer Research Fund International, colorectal cancer afflicts approximately 1.4 million people each year and is on the rise globally.
Manufacturers are increasingly integrating findings from such studies into their products and ingredients. The functional foods market—designed to offer specific health benefits along with calories and nutrients—is experiencing growth and is estimated to be worth around $15 billion. Companies are also acquiring probiotic firms or incorporating these beneficial bacteria into diverse products. For instance, PepsiCo acquired the probiotic beverage company KeVita last fall and launched its Tropicana Essentials Probiotics line earlier this year, which, according to a company representative, is the first brand to introduce probiotics into the mainstream juice aisle. Moreover, General Mills’ venture capital unit led a $6.5 million Series D investment round in March to support Farmhouse Culture, a startup focusing on fermented and probiotic food and beverages.
In the U.S., probiotics are classified as drugs, meaning that for a label to assert that a product is “intended to prevent, treat, or cure a human disease or condition,” it must undergo rigorous safety assessments and clinical trials. This recent research could further strengthen the scientific foundation necessary for such claims, potentially leading to the development of products that equate calcium citrate D3 petites with improved immune health. With growing interest in probiotics, it’s likely that we will see more innovations that incorporate these beneficial components into everyday foods and supplements, including those that equate calcium citrate D3 petites to further enhance health benefits.