Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 and Reduced Body Weight

Research synthesisLow evidenceSmall effect3 studies · 1 beneficial · 2 neutral · 0 harmful

Across 3 studies (1 beneficial, 2 neutral), the evidence for Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 reducing body weight is mixed, with a predominant small effect size. The only statistically significant finding came from a meta-analysis that included multiple Lactobacillus species, while two direct RCTs of BNR17 found no significant weight change. The most commonly studied dose was 10^10 CFU/day in one trial, and all studies involved obese adults.

Studied populations: obese adults

Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 3 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. Only 1 of the 3 studies reached statistical significance, and it was a meta-analysis that included multiple Lactobacillus strains, not exclusively BNR17. The two direct RCTs of BNR17 found no significant effect on body weight, suggesting the modest benefit may not be specific to this strain.

Generated Jul 12, 2026

Doses used in studies

CFU/day: 10 billion (median 10 billion, IQR 10 billion–10 billion) — 1 study

Safety in these studies

Overall tolerabilityReported
The two groups had no special or severe adverse reactions.
from: Effect of Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 on Overweight and Obese Adults: A Randomized, Double

4 of 4 papersPopulation:

Effect of Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 on Overweight and Obese Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial
- 2013-04-08
- RCT · n = 62
- Korean Journal of Family Medicine 34(2)
- - Seung-Pil Jung
  - Keun-Mi Lee
  - Ji-hee Kang
  - S. Yun
  - Han-Oh Park
  - Yong Moon
  - Jong-Yeon Kim
- PubMed: 23560206
- DOI: 10.4082/kjfm.2013.34.2.80
5 Insights on
- Reduced Body Weight
- High evidence
- Highly Cited
- Adults
At the 12th week, a slight reduction in body weight was noted in the BNR17 group, but there were no significant weight changes between groups.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Significant
No
Probiotic Lactobacillus sp. as a strategy for modulation of non-comorbid obesity: A systematic meta-analysis and GRADE assessment of randomized controlled trials.
- 2025-04-23
- Meta-Analysis · n = 58
- Narra J 5(2)
- - Juan Ajmn Lele
  - Karlos B Sihaloho
  - Dewa Vighneshwara
  - Derren Dch Rampengan
  - Chrisandi Y Rizqiansyah
  - Happy K Permatasari
  - Nelly Mayulu
  - Trina E Tallei
  - Nurpudji A Taslim
  - Bonglee Kim
  - Immanuelle Kezia
  - Fahrul Nurkolis
  - Rony A Syahputra
- PubMed: 40951500
- DOI: 10.52225/narra.v5i2.1562
9 Insights on
- Reduced Body Weight
- High evidence
Significant reductions were observed in BMI ... body weight (MD: -1.16 kg; 95%CI: -1.79-(-0.53), p=0.0003)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes
Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 Supplementation Reduces the Visceral Fat Accumulation and Waist Circumference in Obese Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
- 2018-05
- RCT · n = 90
- Journal of Medicinal Food 21(5)
- - Joohee Kim
  - J. Yun
  - M. K. Kim
  - O. Kwon
  - B. Cho
- PubMed: 29688793
- DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2017.3937
12 Insights on
- Reduced Body Weight
- High evidence
- Highly Cited
- Clinical
Body weight, BMI, waist and hip circumferences, waist-to-hip ratio, abdominal adipose tissue areas, body fat mass, lean body mass, and biochemical parameters were assessed... Biochemical parameters were not significantly different among the groups.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Significant
No
Dose
10^10 CFU/day
Anti-Obesity Effect of Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 in High-Sucrose Diet-Induced Obese Mice
- 2013-01-30
- Clinical Trial
- PLoS ONE 8(1)
- - Ji-hee Kang
  - S. Yun
  - Miri Park
  - Jun-Hong Park
  - So-Young Jeong
  - Han-Oh Park
- PubMed: 23382926
- DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0054617
7 Insights on
- Reduced Body Weight
- Low evidence
- Highly Cited
- Rigorous Journal
- Animal Study
The administration of L. gasseri BNR17 significantly reduced the body weight and white adipose tissue weight regardless of the dose administered.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Significant
Yes

Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 and Reduced Body Weight

Effect of Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 on Overweight and Obese Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial

Probiotic Lactobacillus sp. as a strategy for modulation of non-comorbid obesity: A systematic meta-analysis and GRADE assessment of randomized controlled trials.

Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 Supplementation Reduces the Visceral Fat Accumulation and Waist Circumference in Obese Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Anti-Obesity Effect of Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 in High-Sucrose Diet-Induced Obese Mice