Bifidobacterium plantarum and Improved Quality of Life

Research synthesisModerate evidenceMixed effect size3 studies · 3 beneficial · 0 neutral · 0 harmful

Across 3 studies, all reported beneficial effects on quality of life, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate. The highest-quality evidence comes from a meta-analysis of 16 RCTs in IBS patients showing moderate benefit, while two reviews in skin conditions show small beneficial effects. However, most studies evaluated multi-strain probiotics, not exclusively Bifidobacterium plantarum.

Studied populations: adults with IBS or skin conditions (psoriasis, atopic dermatitis)

Caveats: Evidence from two reviews is based on low-quality studies. Most trials evaluated multi-strain probiotic formulas, not B. plantarum alone, limiting strain-specific conclusions.

Generated May 10, 2026

3 of 3 papers

Efficacy of Specific Probiotic Strains in Subtypes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
- 2025-12-31
- Meta-Analysis
- Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) 62(1)
- - Abdulrahman Saud Almalki
  - Norah Yhya Jaafari
  - Norah Ghalib Aldossari
  - Anwar Ayed Alharbi
  - Abdulrahman Abdullah Alrdeeni
  - Alanoud Abdullah Alshareef
  - Abdulrahman Abed Al-Subhi
  - Ammar Faisal Alsubhi
  - Muath Salem Alsubhi
  - Abdullah Almaqhawi
- PubMed: 41597375
- DOI: 10.3390/medicina62010089
4 Insights on
- Improved Quality of Life
- High evidence
the purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the patient's quality of life... According to 16 RCTs, probiotics greatly lessen overall IBS symptoms, which enhances the quality of life
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Significant
Yes
Efficacy of Probiotic Supplementation in the Management of Psoriasis: A Systematic Review.
- 2025-12-01
- Review
- Cureus 17(12)
- - Muhammad Waqas
  - Inzamam Sarwar
- PubMed: 41487796
- DOI: 10.7759/cureus.98265
4 Insights on
- Improved Quality of Life
- Low evidence
Across included randomized controlled and observational studies, probiotic or synbiotic supplementation either alone or as an adjunct to topical or systemic therapy was associated with reductions in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Microbiome and Skin Health: A Systematic Review of Nutraceutical Interventions, Disease Severity, Inflammation, and Gut Microbiota.
- 2025-12-26
- Review
- Microorganisms 14(1)
- - Alia Ashkanani
  - Ghalya Ashkanani
  - Mahmoud Yousef
  - Mlaak Rob
  - Maha Al-Marri
  - Nesha Naseem
  - Sa'ad Laws
  - Ali Chaari
- PubMed: 41597583
- DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms14010063
6 Insights on
- Improved Quality of Life
- Low evidence
Five trials that examined atopic dermatitis and psoriasis independently showed a significant improvement in Quality of Life.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes

Bifidobacterium plantarum and Improved Quality of Life

Efficacy of Specific Probiotic Strains in Subtypes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Efficacy of Probiotic Supplementation in the Management of Psoriasis: A Systematic Review.

Microbiome and Skin Health: A Systematic Review of Nutraceutical Interventions, Disease Severity, Inflammation, and Gut Microbiota.