Can probiotic sweets help your child breathe easier and stay healthier, especially in daycare? A new study suggests Lactobacillus might boost immunity and cut down on those pesky respiratory infections.
Explore the potential benefits of probiotic-enriched sweets, specifically those containing Lactobacillus, for boosting kids’ immune systems and reducing respiratory infections, especially in daycare settings.
Learn about a new study showing how probiotic-enriched sweets, particularly those containing Lactobacillus, may help boost kids’ immune systems and reduce respiratory infections, especially in daycare settings.
A recent study has revealed that children who consume probiotic-enriched sweets are less prone to developing respiratory tract infections. This is because probiotic-enriched sweets, particularly those containing the “Lactobacillus” strain, can reduce common childhood illnesses, especially in daycare settings, where children are more susceptible to such infections.
The study, conducted across 18 daycare centers in Finland and published in the latest issue of the British Medical Journal, highlights this connection.
The likelihood of children in daycare contracting respiratory and digestive system infections is 1.5 to 3 times higher compared to children who stay at home. Probiotics promote beneficial bacteria, creating a positive bacterial environment and strengthening the immune system.
Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG (commonly known as LGG) is known for its well-established health benefits.
This type of bacteria also enhances the immune system by increasing phagocytic activity in white blood cells (enhancing the body’s ability to eliminate harmful bacteria). Furthermore, it aids in recovering from illnesses caused by viruses and reduces the likelihood of infections caused by certain bacteria.
It’s worth noting that the majority of current research on probiotics is limited.
This study, one of the first of its kind, is set to continue for another seven months to further examine the effects of probiotic-enriched sweets on respiratory and digestive tract infections among children in daycare centers.
The research was conducted randomly, double-blind (neither the participants nor the researchers knew who was receiving the treatment), and involved a monitored group where some members received probiotic-enriched sweets. Out of 571 healthy children aged between one and six years, 282 received sweets containing LGG, while 289 received sweets without probiotics. Researchers asked the children’s families to record any symptoms related to the respiratory system, such as coughing, runny nose, sore throat, sneezing, congestion, and earaches. They also recorded any symptoms related to the digestive system, such as fever, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The families were also asked to indicate how often their children were absent from daycare due to illness.
The results showed that children who consumed sweets with LGG were less likely to be absent from daycare (4.9 days, compared to 5.8 days for those who consumed other sweets), with a 17% reduction in the number of respiratory infections and a 19% reduction in antibiotic use for treating respiratory infections in the group that received LGG.
The researchers emphasize that, based on their findings, probiotics can play a significant health and economic role in society by increasing the body’s resistance to disease and reducing the need to prevent respiratory infections in children. Probiotics are a simple, safe, and beneficial method with positive effects.
The magazine’s editor added that while it is premature to draw definitive conclusions about probiotics preventing childhood illnesses, it is possible to use them cautiously, even though the evidence is still evolving regarding their ability to prevent respiratory and digestive infections in young children. Further research is needed in this area.
probiotic, children, respiratory infections, digestive health, immune system, Lactobacillus, daycare, sweets, child health
