Can Probiotics Prevent Respiratory Infections?
Surprisingly, modulating the gut microbiota can actually prevent respiratory infections. This new study of children adds to the evidence.
You don’t normally think of the gut microbiota or probiotics for respiratory infections. But a review of 14 controlled studies found that taking probiotics reduces your risk of respiratory infections (Cochrane Database of Syst Rev. 2011;7:CD006895). An important recent study found that probiotics significantly reduce duration and severity of colds (Nutrients. 2025;17(9):1490).
Now a new study that looked at children and recurrent respiratory tract infections adds to the evidence.
The double-blind study gave either a placebo or probiotics to 120 children with recurrent respiratory tract infections. The probiotics were Bifidobacterium animalis and Lactobacillus plantarum. The probiotics were given for 3 months, and then the children were followed for another 6 months.
The probiotics were significantly more effective than the placebo. The kids in the probiotic group had significantly fewer and shorter respiratory infections. There were no adverse events.
This study adds to the evidence that probiotics offer significant protection against recurrent respiratory infections in children.
Eur J Nutr. 2026 May 6;65(4).
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