A new study published in Nutritional Neuroscience investigated the impact of probiotic supplements, a prebiotic-rich diet, or their combination on cognitive function in adults with low mood. The randomized controlled trial found that probiotic supplementation may improve working memory, but the findings are preliminary and require further confirmation.
The gut-brain axis is a complex system that connects the digestive system and brain through neural, hormonal, and immune pathways. The gut microbiota plays a key role in influencing brain function and behavior, producing metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids and neurotransmitters that regulate inflammation, impact mood, and affect cognitive processes like memory and attention.
Probiotics, which are live microorganisms that provide health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts, can help restore balance to the gut microbiota, enhance the production of beneficial metabolites, and reduce inflammation. Some studies suggest that probiotics may improve cognitive function, particularly under stress or in clinical populations, by targeting pathways related to mood and brain health.
A prebiotic-rich diet, which includes foods such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and legumes, encourages the growth and activity of healthy gut bacteria, leading to the production of compounds that support brain function. However, much of the research has relied on isolated supplements rather than whole-diet approaches, highlighting the importance of dietary interventions.
The study included 118 adults who reported moderate psychological distress and consumed low amounts of prebiotics. Probiotic supplementation appeared to have the most promising effect, with participants in the probiotic group demonstrating a small improvement in working memory compared to the placebo group. However, the evidence remains inconclusive until replicated in larger studies.
In contrast, the prebiotic-rich diet showed weak evidence of impairing processing speed, which measures how quickly and accurately participants can respond to simple tasks. The researchers caution that this finding may have been a statistical anomaly rather than a true negative effect.
The study’s findings suggest that the effects of probiotic and prebiotic interventions on cognitive function are independent and do not interact significantly. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms underlying these findings and to explore their potential applications in clinical practice.
Source: https://www.psypost.org/probiotic-supplements-may-improve-working-memory