Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 and Reduced Waist Circumference

Research synthesisModerate evidenceSmall effect3 studies · 3 beneficial · 0 neutral · 0 harmful

Across 3 studies, all reported small beneficial effects of Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 on reducing waist circumference in obese adults. The effect is consistently small but statistically significant. Only one study specified a dose (10^10 CFU/day), so no clear dose range emerged.

Studied populations: obese adults

Caveats: Available evidence is overwhelmingly positive (3 of 3 studies beneficial) — clinical literature in this area is subject to publication bias (null-result studies are less likely to be published or indexed). The evidence base is small (only 3 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. Additionally, one of the included studies is a meta-analysis that may encompass other Lactobacillus strains, potentially diluting the specificity of the finding for BNR17.

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

3 of 3 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 Waist Circumference
- High evidence
- Highly Cited
- Adults
Decrease of waist and hip circumferences in the BNR17 group was more pronounced than those in the placebo group.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes
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 Waist Circumference
- High evidence
Significant reductions were observed in ... waist circumference (MD: -1.41 cm; 95%CI: -1.75-(-1.08), p<0.00001)
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 Waist Circumference
- High evidence
- Highly Cited
- Clinical
Waist circumferences were significantly decreased in both the BNR-L and BNL-H groups (P = .045 and .012, respectively) compared with the baseline values, but not in the placebo group.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes
Dose
10^10 CFU/day

Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 and Reduced Waist Circumference

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.