Correlation Between Lactic Acid Bacteria Beverage Intake and Stress Resilience

Area of Science:

• Psychoneuroimmunology
• Microbiome research
• Nutritional neuroscience

Background:

• Stress and anxiety are prevalent among university students.
• The gut microbiome's influence on mental health is an emerging area of research.
• Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are known probiotics with potential psychobiotic effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of lactic acid bacteria-containing beverage consumption on stress resilience in male university students.
• To assess changes in stress reaction and anxiety levels.
• To evaluate the effect on salivary amylase as a physiological stress marker.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 40 male university students.
• Participants consumed either a LAB-containing beverage or water twice daily for 28 days.
• Stress resilience, stress reaction, and anxiety were measured via questionnaires at baseline, day 14, and day 28.
• Salivary amylase levels were assessed to measure stress response.

Main Results:

• Significant increases in stress resilience were observed at day 28 compared to baseline in the LAB beverage group.
• No significant changes were reported in the control (water) group.
• Trends in stress reaction and anxiety warrant further investigation.

Conclusions:

• Daily intake of lactic acid bacteria-containing beverages may enhance stress resilience in male university students.
• Probiotic consumption shows potential as a non-pharmacological intervention for managing stress.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms and long-term effects.