The Effects of Bifidobacterium Probiotic Supplementation on Blood Glucose: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Animal Models and Clinical Evidence

Van et al., 2024 | Adv Nutr | Meta Analysis

Citation

Van Syoc Emily P, Damani Janhavi, ... Rogers Connie J. The Effects of Bifidobacterium Probiotic Supplementation on Blood Glucose: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Animal Models and Clinical Evidence. Adv Nutr. 2024-Jan;15(1):100137. doi:10.1016/j.advnut.2023.10.009

Abstract

Probiotic supplementation is a potential therapeutic for metabolic diseases, including obesity, metabolic syndrome (MetS), and type 2 diabetes (T2D), but most studies deliver multiple species of bacteria in addition to prebiotics or oral pharmaceuticals. This may contribute to conflicting evidence in existing meta-analyses of probiotics in these populations and warrants a systematic review of the literature to assess the contribution of a single probiotic genus to better understand the contribution of individual probiotics to modulate blood glucose. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies and human randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the effects of Bifidobacterium (BF) probiotic supplementation on markers of glycemia. In a meta-analysis of 6 RCTs, BF supplementation had no effect on fasting blood glucose {FBG; mean difference [MD] = -1.99 mg/dL [95% confidence interval (CI): -4.84, 0.86], P = 0.13}, and there were no subgroup differences between subjects with elevated FBG concentrations and normoglycemia. However, BF supplementation reduced FBG concentrations in a meta-analysis comprised of studies utilizing animal models of obesity, MetS, or T2D [n = 16; MD = -36.11 mg/dL (CI: -49.04, -23.18), P < 0.0001]. Translational gaps from animal to human trials include paucity of research in female animals, BF supplementation in subjects that were normoglycemic, and lack of methodologic reporting regarding probiotic viability and stability. More research is necessary to assess the effects of BF supplementation in human subjects with elevated FBG concentrations. Overall, there was consistent evidence of the efficacy of BF probiotics to reduce elevated FBG concentrations in animal models but not clinical trials, suggesting that BF alone may have minimal effects on glycemic control, may be more effective when combined with multiple probiotic species, or may be more effective in conditions of hyperglycemia rather than elevated FBG concentrations.

Key Findings

Overall, there was consistent evidence of the efficacy of BF probiotics to reduce elevated FBG concentrations in animal models but not clinical trials, suggesting that BF alone may have minimal effects on glycemic control, may be more effective when combined with multiple probiotic species, or may be more effective in conditions of hyperglycemia rather than elevated FBG concentrations.

Outcomes Measured

• Requires manual extraction

Population

MeSH Terms

• Female
• Humans
• Animals
• Blood Glucose
• Bifidobacterium
• Probiotics
• Metabolic Syndrome
• Obesity
• Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
• Models, Animal

Evidence Classification

• Level: Meta Analysis
• Publication Types: Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review, Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
• Vertical: probiotics

Provenance

• PMID: 37923223
• DOI: 10.1016/j.advnut.2023.10.009
• PMCID: PMC10831893
• Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09