Bifidobacterium breve MAK40B22B and Reduced Body Fat Mass

Research synthesisLow evidenceModerate effect3 studies · 3 beneficial · 0 neutral · 0 harmful

Across 3 studies, all reported beneficial moderate-sized effects of Bifidobacterium breve MAK40B22B on reduced body fat mass in adults with overweight or obesity. Two of the three studies found statistically significant reductions, with effects typically observed at 8-12 weeks.

Studied populations: pre-obese adults, adults with a tendency for obesity

Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 3 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. Available evidence is overwhelmingly positive — clinical literature in this area is subject to publication bias (null-result studies are less likely to be published or indexed). Study forms and doses were not consistently reported, limiting dose-specific conclusions.

Generated Jun 11, 2026

3 of 3 papersPopulation:

Effects of Bifidobacterium breve B-3 on body fat reductions in pre-obese adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
- 2018
- RCT · n = 80
- Bioscience of Microbiota, Food and Health 37(3)
- - J. Minami
  - N. Iwabuchi
  - Miyuki Tanaka
  - K. Yamauchi
  - J. Xiao
  - F. Abe
  - N. Sakane
- PubMed: 30094122
- DOI: 10.12938/bmfh.18-001
13 Insights on
- Reduced Body Fat Mass
- High evidence
- Highly Cited
- Rigorous Journal
- Clinical
Body fat mass and percent body fat were significantly lower in the B-3 group than in the placebo group at weeks 8 and 12 (p<0.05, ANCOVA adjusted with baseline values).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Significant
Yes
Oral administration of Bifidobacterium breve B-3 modifies metabolic functions in adults with obese tendencies in a randomised controlled trial
- 2015-06-19
- RCT
- Journal of Nutritional Science 4
- - J. Minami
  - S. Kondo
  - N. Yanagisawa
  - T. Odamaki
  - J. Xiao
  - F. Abe
  - S. Nakajima
  - Yukie Hamamoto
  - Sanae Saitoh
  - T. Shimoda
- PubMed: 26090097
- DOI: 10.1017/jns.2015.5
7 Insights on
- Reduced Body Fat Mass
- High evidence
- Highly Cited
- Clinical
A significantly lowered fat mass was observed in the B-3 group compared with the placebo group at week 12.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Significant
Yes
Comment on Sung et al. Body Fat Reduction Effect of Bifidobacterium breve B-3: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Comparative Clinical Trial. Nutrients 2023, 15, 28
- 2023-02-22
- RCT
- Nutrients 15(5)
- - S. Y. Lee
- PubMed: 36904094
- DOI: 10.3390/nu15051093
2 Insights on
- Reduced Body Fat Mass
- High evidence
a reduction in body fat mass after Bifidobacterium breve B-3 (BB-3) ingestion for 12 weeks was reported
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate

Bifidobacterium breve MAK40B22B and Reduced Body Fat Mass

Effects of Bifidobacterium breve B-3 on body fat reductions in pre-obese adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Oral administration of Bifidobacterium breve B-3 modifies metabolic functions in adults with obese tendencies in a randomised controlled trial

Comment on Sung et al. Body Fat Reduction Effect of Bifidobacterium breve B-3: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Comparative Clinical Trial. Nutrients 2023, 15, 28