Surprising
A probiotic blend cut perceived stress by 34% in underweight adults — but the effect was far smaller (9.3%) in the placebo group.
This is one of the first studies to test probiotics specifically for stress in underweight adults, so the finding is intriguing but far from settled — it may not apply to people with normal weight or different gut microbiomes.
In an 8-week trial, underweight adults taking a multi-strain probiotic (including L. acidophilus L-92) reported a 34% drop in perceived stress, compared to a 9.3% drop in the placebo group. The same study also found improvements in weight and inflammation markers, suggesting the gut-brain connection may play a role — but the results are preliminary and limited to this specific population.
Where this fits in the evidence
This is among the first studies we've indexed on Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92 for Reduced Stress — treat it as an early signal until more research accumulates.
The study
- Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
- 2025-07-16
- Frontiers in nutrition
This is a plain-language summary of a research finding, not medical advice. Pillser surfaces research signals to help you decide what's worth investigating — always consult a qualified professional before changing what you take.