Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 1 — Meta-analysis / systematic reviewPeer-reviewed

Probiotics + plant extracts

Holkem, A.T. et al.

2023

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Summary

This paper, published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, reviews the combined use of probiotics and plant extracts, exploring how phytochemical compounds may enhance or modulate probiotic function and stability. The review likely synthesises evidence on the mechanisms of synergy between these two classes of bioactive agents, including prebiotic-like effects of plant polyphenols and their influence on probiotic survival. The findings are relevant to the development of functional foods and nutraceutical formulations with enhanced health-promoting properties.

UK applicability

While the review is likely international in scope, its findings are broadly applicable to UK functional food development, dietary supplement regulation under the Food Standards Agency, and consumer health trends around gut health. UK food manufacturers and researchers working on probiotic product formulation may find the evidence on plant extract interactions particularly relevant.

Key measures

Probiotic viability; antimicrobial activity; antioxidant capacity; gut microbiota composition; synergistic interaction indices

Outcomes reported

The review likely examined the combined efficacy of probiotic microorganisms and plant-derived bioactive compounds, assessing their interactions, stability, and potential health benefits including gut microbiota modulation and antimicrobial or antioxidant activity.

Theme
Nutrition & health
Subject
Probiotics & functional food ingredients
Study type
Systematic Review
Study design
Systematic review
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
International
System type
Human clinical
Catalogue ID
XL0406

Topic tags

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