A recent study from Örebro University has found that the way probiotics are consumed can influence their effects on memory, concentration, and mental health. The research suggests that the form in which probiotic supplements are taken—whether encapsulated or not—may lead to different outcomes for brain function in older adults.
"Personally, I didn't think it would make much difference how we consume probiotics. Our study shows that memory and concentration can change if the probiotic powder is encapsulated, whereas powder that is not encapsulated has a greater effect on mental health, such as anxiety, depression and similar conditions," said Julia Rode, a researcher in biomedicine at Örebro University who focuses on the connection between the gut and the brain.
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria often consumed through foods or drinks. Their preparation method impacts how long they remain active and how they behave in the digestive system. Encapsulated forms help more bacteria survive longer in the gut by protecting them until they reach further into the intestinal tract.
The study involved 87 participants aged 60 to 80 years old. They received either microencapsulated or non-encapsulated probiotics of the same strain and dose. A control group was given a placebo for comparison. Researchers used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cognitive tests, and questionnaires to assess changes in brain function.
This research is notable for being one of the first studies conducted with healthy older adults to compare different methods of preparing probiotics using MRI scans to observe changes in brain connectivity.
"Probiotics are beneficial for brain function, and with data from this study, we can hopefully contribute further to our understanding of how probiotics can be consumed, for example, to cope with stressful periods," Rode added.
Results showed distinct differences in functional connections within the brain depending on whether participants took encapsulated or non-encapsulated probiotics. These findings support previous evidence linking gut microbiota to brain health and highlight potential personalized approaches for using probiotics to support cognitive health during aging.
