Probiotics have become a hot topic in modern society. Almost every week, we can hear new news about these millions of small bacteria that gather in your intestines, that is, what benefits they have brought us.

Recent research shows that probiotics are helpful for digestion and treatment of diseases. A new study published in the British Journal of Nutrition shows that probiotics can help people lose weight. But do you believe what this scientific report says?

First of all, let's take a look at how this scientific report came about: a Japanese research team divided 2 10 overweight subjects into three groups. Then each person ingests 7 ounces of fermented milk every day. Different amounts of probiotic Lactobacillus SBT2055 were added to the fermented milk of the two groups, which was found to be related to weight loss in previous studies.

After 12 weeks, people who eat fermented milk with probiotic formula every day will lose about 8% to 9% of visceral fat, an unhealthy fat around your heart and other internal organs. At the same time, the study also showed that both groups who ate probiotic fermented milk lost 1% to 3% of abdominal fat.

"Your intestines are responsible for digesting and absorbing the food you eat every day. The probiotics mentioned in the study may also play a role in reducing intestinal inflammation and helping digestion, while preventing fat accumulation in the body. " Yukio Kadooka, a researcher at Snow Brand Japan and co-author of this report, explained.

But there are the following problems in this study, Kadooka said: First, the probiotics mentioned in this study are not sold in the US market; Secondly, according to Kadooka's research, most probiotic research beneficial to weight loss has been controlled or funded by companies that use related technologies to produce weight loss products.

"This does not mean that this research is invalid," said Dr Jeremy Burton, deputy director of the Canadian Probiotics Research and Development Center. "There is nothing wrong with companies investing in scientific research, but it is best to maintain the independence of research so that the research results can be objective." Dr. Burton added.

2. "Know" probiotics

So far, independent research is uncertain or contradictory. A study published in the International Journal of Obesity found that although some strains of probiotics help to lose weight, some probiotics can cause obesity. "It is still too early to draw a conclusion on this study, and more analysis is needed!" Didier Raoult, a co-author of this study and a microbiologist in Marseille, France, said.

Burton said that the health benefits of probiotics are certain, and the research results also confirm that probiotic products are good for digestion and health, such as Danone's Activia yogurt. But if probiotics help to lose weight, this really needs to be investigated.

"Probiotics certainly have a certain effect on dieting," Burton said, "but its mechanism remains to be studied." So now, don't expect probiotics to completely replace your exercise or diet plan.