Lactobacillus salivarius UCC118 and Reduced Insulin Levels

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

Across 3 studies, 2 reported beneficial moderate-sized effects of Lactobacillus salivarius UCC118 on reducing insulin levels, while 1 high-quality RCT found no effect. The predominant effect size is moderate, but the evidence is limited and inconsistent. Most studies focused on pregnant women with gestational diabetes.

Studied populations: pregnant women with gestational diabetes

Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 3 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. Many of the included studies did not reach statistical significance — effect may be smaller than the predominant direction suggests. The highest-quality study (RCT, n=149) found no difference, conflicting with meta-analyses that show benefit. Doses and forms were poorly reported across studies.

Generated Jul 18, 2026

3 of 3 papersPopulation:

Impact of probiotics in women with gestational diabetes mellitus on metabolic health: a randomized controlled trial.
- 2015-04
- RCT · n = 149
- American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 212(4)
- - Karen L Lindsay
  - Lorraine Brennan
  - Maria A Kennelly
  - Orla C Maguire
  - Thomas Smith
  - Sinead Curran
  - Mary Coffey
  - Michael E Foley
  - Mensud Hatunic
  - Fergus Shanahan
  - Fergus Shanahan
  - Fionnuala M McAuliffe
- PubMed: 25687568
- DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2015.02.008
14 Insights on
- Reduced Insulin Levels
- High evidence
- Large Human Trial
- Pregnant Women
No differences were noted between groups in other metabolic parameters
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Significant
No
Dose
daily capsule (exact dose not specified)
Improvement of glucose metabolism in pregnant women through probiotic supplementation depends on gestational diabetes status: meta-analysis.
- 2020-10-20
- Meta-Analysis
- Scientific reports 10(1)
- - Karolina Łagowska
  - Anna M Malinowska
  - Bogna Zawieja
  - Emilia Zawieja
- PubMed: 33082439
- DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74773-8
5 Insights on
- Reduced Insulin Levels
- High evidence
- Rigorous Journal
both probiotics and synbiotics lower serum insulin level and HOMA-IR index
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
The role of probiotics and synbiotics on treatment of gestational diabetes: systematic review and meta-analysis.
- 2024-02
- Review · n = 896
- AJOG global reports 4(1)
- - Arresta Vitasatria Suastika
  - I Gde Raka Widiana
  - Ni Nengah Dwi Fatmawati
  - Ketut Suastika
  - Ivana Beatrice Paulus
  - I Nengah Sujaya
- PubMed: 38322777
- DOI: 10.1016/j.xagr.2023.100285
9 Insights on
- Reduced Insulin Levels
- High evidence
and insulin level (mean difference, -2.43 mg/dL; 95% confidence interval, -3.37 to -1.48)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Significant
Yes

Lactobacillus salivarius UCC118 and Reduced Insulin Levels

Impact of probiotics in women with gestational diabetes mellitus on metabolic health: a randomized controlled trial.

Improvement of glucose metabolism in pregnant women through probiotic supplementation depends on gestational diabetes status: meta-analysis.

The role of probiotics and synbiotics on treatment of gestational diabetes: systematic review and meta-analysis.