Research review and meta analysis

This page provides a summary of two pivotal studies, including a comprehensive Research Review and a Meta-analysis, showcasing the benefits of daily Activia consumption on gastrointestinal health.

This page provides a summary of two pivotal studies, including a comprehensive Research Review and a Meta-analysis, showcasing the benefits of daily Activia consumption on gastrointestinal health

A pooled analysis of two studies to determine whether Activia improves gastrointestinal discomfort and wellbeing in healthy adults.

Waitzberg et al., 2015[1]

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Study type
Pooled-analysis of two studies
Control
Daily consumption of 2 units of a non-fermented dairy product
Intervention
Daily consumption of 2 x 125g of Activia
Population
538 healthy women
Length
4 weeks + 4 weeks washout period

Key results

Significant improvement
reported in gastrointestinal well-being in the Activia group**
Significantly higher percentage
of responders* and positive effect on the promotion of gastrointestinal well-being observed in the Activia group

Conclusion

Daily consumption of 2 x 125g servings of Activia® was associated with an improvement in gastrointestinal well-being and a decrease in the frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms in healthy populations with minor gastrointestinal discomfort

A systematic review and meta-analysis of three studies to determine whether Activia improves gastrointestinal discomfort in healthy adults.

Eales et al., 2016[2]

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Study type
Meta-analysis of three double-blind randomised controlled trials
Intervention
Daily consumption of 2 x125g of Activia®
Population
598 healthy adults
Control
Daily consumption of a fermented or non fermented dairy product without probiotics
Length
At least 4 weeks

Key results

Modest but consistently and significantly improved
GI discomfort / well-being observed in the Activia® groups

Conclusion

Daily consumption of 2 x 125g servings of Activia® over 4 weeks may improve gastrointestinal discomfort / well-being in healthy adults

*A responder was defined as a subject having an improvement in their gastrointestinal well-being, i.e. answering ‘improved’ on a 3-point Likert scale on at least 2 weeks out of the 4 week double-blind period of product consumption

** GI wellbeing was assessed by using a a 3-point Likert scale (improved, no change, worsened) on a weekly basis. Each participant was classified as responder or as a non-responder to assess the magnitude of the effect. A responder was defined as a subject having an improvement in their gastrointestinal well-being, i.e. answering ‘improved’ on the three-point Likert scale, on at least 2 weeks over the 4-week double-blind period of product consumption.

Frequency of digestive symptoms was measured using a 5-point Likert scale that ranged from 0 (never) to 4 (every day of the week). The composite score for these 4 symptoms ranged from 0 (none of the symptoms) to 16 (all symptoms, every day).

Bowel function: Participants were also asked to report daily bowel movements according to the Bristol stool scale.

Health-related quality of life: The Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was assessed by self-administration of two questionnaires: the Food and Benefits Assessment (FBA) and the Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI) at three time points: baseline, after 4 weeks, and after 8weeks

References

[1] Waitzberg D.L., et al. The effect of probiotic fermented milk that includes Bifidobacterium lactis CNCM I-2494 on the reduction of gastrointestinal discomfort and symptoms in adults: a narrative review. Nutricion Hospitalaria. 2015 Aug 1;32(n02):501-509

[2] Eales J., et al. Systematic review and meta-analysis: the effects of fermented milk with Bifidobacterium lactis CNCM I-2494 and lactic acid bacteria on gastrointestinal discomfort in the general adult population. Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2016. First published on October 9, 2016.

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This information is intended to provide health professionals with scientific and educational content on gut health and nutrition.