In a newly published study, Probi´s proprietary strain L. plantarum HEAL9 (HEAL9) was shown to significantly improve cognitive performance. The result of the study is encouraging ahead of Probi's launch of a new product in the gut-brain area.
Published in Nutrients, the randomised controlled study investigated the effects of the HEAL9 strain on stress, cognition, sleep and mood in 129 healthy but stressed individuals.
The data showed significantly improved learning and working memory after consumption of HEAL9 for 12 weeks compared to placebo. There were also strong tendencies for improved mood and sleep in the HEAL9 group. This is the third clinical study in mental health documenting strong results on HEAL9.
“Mental health and wellness is a field with significant growth potential. This complementary study demonstrates that our strain HEAL9 has a strong clinically proven effect in the gut-brain area and boosts our confidence ahead of the official launch of our new product at Supply Side West in Las Vegas in October," said Anita Johansen, CEO of Probi.
The study demonstrates that our strain HEAL9 has a strong clinically proven effect in the gut-brain area and boosts our confidence ahead of the official launch of our new product
- Anita Johansen, CEO of Probi
Consumer interest in mental health and wellness is rapidly growing and the understanding of the important connection between the microbiome in the gut and mood, cognition and mental health continues to increase.
Probiotic supplements supporting mental health and wellness are forecasted to have a significant market growth of 44% in the coming 10 years, from $140 million to $202 million.
The connection is often referred to as the gut-brain axis, a bi-directional communication between the gut microbiota and neural, endocrinal, and immune pathways. Studies in both animals and humans have shown that probiotics can reduce anxiety-like behaviour, decrease stress and stress-related gastrointestinal dysfunction, as well as impact circulating levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines.