Skip to main content
Evidence-Based Supplement Research
Evidence-Based Supplement Research
Pillser
Search
Sign UpLog In

Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17

What does the research say about Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17?

4 health outcomes synthesised

Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 has been studied across 4 health outcomes, with the strongest evidence supporting a small beneficial effect on reducing waist circumference in obese adults (3 studies). The most consistently reported dose is 10^10 CFU/day, though this was only specified in one trial for most outcomes.

Strongest evidence: The most robust research supports a small beneficial effect of Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 on reduced waist circumference (moderate evidence, 3 of 3 studies showing benefit) and reduced abdominal pain (moderate evidence, 3 of 3 studies showing benefit in adults with functional constipation or IBS). For waist circumference, only one study specified a dose (10^10 CFU/day), and all studies involved obese adults. For abdominal pain, one study used a high dose of 2 × 5 × 10^9 CFU/day, with a total sample size of 119 participants.

Mixed or weaker evidence: Evidence for reduced body weight is mixed (low evidence, 1 beneficial, 2 neutral studies). The only statistically significant finding came from a meta-analysis including multiple Lactobacillus species, while two direct RCTs of BNR17 alone found no significant weight change. For reduced hip circumference (low evidence, 2 beneficial, 1 neutral study), results are preliminary, with small effect sizes in obese adults and only one study reporting a dose (10^10 CFU/day).

Effective dose patterns: Across outcomes, the most commonly reported effective dose is 10^10 CFU/day, though this was only specified in one study per outcome. For abdominal pain, one study used a split dose of 2 × 5 × 10^9 CFU/day. No dose range could be established due to inconsistent reporting across studies.

Population insights: All studies focused on obese adults for waist circumference, body weight, and hip circumference outcomes. Abdominal pain studies included adults with functional constipation or IBS (including diarrhea-dominant and general IBS with BMI >23 kg/m²). No studies examined other populations.

Notable caveats: The evidence base is small for all outcomes (only 3 studies each). Clinical literature in this area is subject to publication bias, as null-result studies are less likely to be published. For body weight, the beneficial signal may not be specific to BNR17, as it came from a multi-strain meta-analysis. Study durations and optimal doses were inconsistently reported, limiting generalizability.

Frequently asked

  • What is Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 good for according to research?
    Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 has been studied for 4 outcomes: reducing waist circumference, reducing abdominal pain, reducing body weight, and reducing hip circumference. The strongest evidence (moderate) supports small beneficial effects on waist circumference in obese adults (3 studies) and abdominal pain in adults with functional constipation or IBS (3 studies).
  • What dose of Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 is typically used in studies?
    The most commonly reported dose across studies is 10^10 CFU/day, though this was only specified in one trial per outcome. For abdominal pain, one study used a split dose of 2 × 5 × 10^9 CFU/day. Doses were not consistently reported across all studies, so no clear dose range has emerged.
  • Who benefits most from Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17?
    Research has focused on obese adults for waist circumference, body weight, and hip circumference. For abdominal pain, studies included adults with functional constipation or IBS. No studies have examined other populations such as children, elderly, or non-obese adults, so benefits in those groups are unknown.
  • Does Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 help with weight loss?
    Evidence for body weight reduction is mixed and weak (low evidence). Only 1 of 3 studies found a statistically significant benefit, and that study was a meta-analysis including multiple Lactobacillus strains, not exclusively BNR17. Two direct RCTs found no significant weight change, suggesting the modest benefit may not be specific to this strain.
  • Are there caveats or limitations in the research on Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17?
    Yes. All four outcomes are based on only 3 studies each, making conclusions preliminary. The literature is subject to publication bias, as null results are less likely to be published. Study durations and optimal doses were inconsistently reported. For body weight, the single positive finding came from a multi-strain meta-analysis, not a BNR17-specific trial.
  • Does Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 reduce waist circumference?
    Yes, the evidence is moderate for a small beneficial effect on waist circumference in obese adults. All 3 studies reported positive results, though the effect is consistently small. Only one study specified a dose (10^10 CFU/day), and the total evidence base is small, so results should be considered preliminary.
    Back to top