The Effect of Prebiotics and Probiotics on Levels of Depression, Anxiety, and Cognitive Function: A Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

Abstract Introduction Recent studies have emphasized the relationship between mental health and the human intestine microbiota. In this study, we evaluate the effect of consuming Biotics, on levels of depression, anxiety, and cognitive function. Methods This meta‐analysis adhered to the Preferred Re...

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Main Authors: Atefeh Zandifar, Rahim Badrfam, Mahdi Mohammaditabar, Bita Kargar, Saba Goodarzi, Amirhossein Hajialigol, Shera Ketabforoush, Afshin Heidari, Hanie Fathi, Arman Shafiee, Hadi Pourjafar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-03-01
Series:Brain and Behavior
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70401
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author Atefeh Zandifar
Rahim Badrfam
Mahdi Mohammaditabar
Bita Kargar
Saba Goodarzi
Amirhossein Hajialigol
Shera Ketabforoush
Afshin Heidari
Hanie Fathi
Arman Shafiee
Hadi Pourjafar
author_facet Atefeh Zandifar
Rahim Badrfam
Mahdi Mohammaditabar
Bita Kargar
Saba Goodarzi
Amirhossein Hajialigol
Shera Ketabforoush
Afshin Heidari
Hanie Fathi
Arman Shafiee
Hadi Pourjafar
author_sort Atefeh Zandifar
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Introduction Recent studies have emphasized the relationship between mental health and the human intestine microbiota. In this study, we evaluate the effect of consuming Biotics, on levels of depression, anxiety, and cognitive function. Methods This meta‐analysis adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) standards. We searched MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov. All full‐text articles and major reviews were manually searched for additional studies. Results The initial analysis was based on the concept that consuming Biotics causes changes in anxiety, measured using various instruments. This analysis showed that consuming Biotics significantly reduced anxiety in our study participants (SMD = 0.2894, Z = 2.46, P = 0.0139, I^2 = 92.4%). The meta‐analysis included 4295 samples (2194 in the experimental group and 2101 in the control group). In terms of depression, the analysis showed that consuming Biotics significantly reduced depression in our study participants (SMD = 0.2942, Z = 2.13, P = 0.0335, I^2 = 91.7%). The meta‐analysis included 3179 samples (1603 in the experimental group and 1576 in the control group). Regarding cognitive function, the analysis showed that consuming Biotics significantly improved cognitive function in our study participants (SMD = 0.4819, Z = 3.00, P = 0.0027, I^2 = 77.9%). The meta‐analysis included 915 samples (470 in the experimental group and 445 in the control group). Conclusions Our results indicate that most recent studies support the effectiveness of probiotics in reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and cognitive issues despite some discrepancies in the findings. People with mild symptoms may experience greater benefits from taking probiotics. Trial Registration PROSPERO registration ID: CRD42024589507.
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spelling doaj-art-3e9c07aa66a344df85a58df01f24127b2025-08-20T02:11:36ZengWileyBrain and Behavior2162-32792025-03-01153n/an/a10.1002/brb3.70401The Effect of Prebiotics and Probiotics on Levels of Depression, Anxiety, and Cognitive Function: A Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Clinical TrialsAtefeh Zandifar0Rahim Badrfam1Mahdi Mohammaditabar2Bita Kargar3Saba Goodarzi4Amirhossein Hajialigol5Shera Ketabforoush6Afshin Heidari7Hanie Fathi8Arman Shafiee9Hadi Pourjafar10Dietary Supplements and Probiotic Research Center Alborz University of Medical Sciences Karaj IranDepartment of Psychosomatic Medicine Shariati Hospital, Alborz University of Medical Sciences Karaj Alborz IranStudent Research Committee, School of Medicine Alborz University of Medical Sciences Karaj IranTehran Medical Sciences Islamic Azad University Tehran IranStudent Research Committee, School of Medicine Alborz University of Medical Sciences Karaj IranAlborz Office of Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN) Alborz University of Medical Sciences Karaj IranStudent Research Committee Tehran Medical Sciences Islamic Azad University Tehran IranSchool of Medicine Isfahan University of Medical Sciences Isfahan IranStudent Research Committee, School of Medicine Alborz University of Medical Sciences Karaj IranStudent Research Committee, School of Medicine Alborz University of Medical Sciences Karaj IranDietary Supplements and Probiotic Research Center Alborz University of Medical Sciences Karaj IranAbstract Introduction Recent studies have emphasized the relationship between mental health and the human intestine microbiota. In this study, we evaluate the effect of consuming Biotics, on levels of depression, anxiety, and cognitive function. Methods This meta‐analysis adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) standards. We searched MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov. All full‐text articles and major reviews were manually searched for additional studies. Results The initial analysis was based on the concept that consuming Biotics causes changes in anxiety, measured using various instruments. This analysis showed that consuming Biotics significantly reduced anxiety in our study participants (SMD = 0.2894, Z = 2.46, P = 0.0139, I^2 = 92.4%). The meta‐analysis included 4295 samples (2194 in the experimental group and 2101 in the control group). In terms of depression, the analysis showed that consuming Biotics significantly reduced depression in our study participants (SMD = 0.2942, Z = 2.13, P = 0.0335, I^2 = 91.7%). The meta‐analysis included 3179 samples (1603 in the experimental group and 1576 in the control group). Regarding cognitive function, the analysis showed that consuming Biotics significantly improved cognitive function in our study participants (SMD = 0.4819, Z = 3.00, P = 0.0027, I^2 = 77.9%). The meta‐analysis included 915 samples (470 in the experimental group and 445 in the control group). Conclusions Our results indicate that most recent studies support the effectiveness of probiotics in reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and cognitive issues despite some discrepancies in the findings. People with mild symptoms may experience greater benefits from taking probiotics. Trial Registration PROSPERO registration ID: CRD42024589507.https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70401anxietycognitive functiondepressiongut microfloramental disordersprebiotics
spellingShingle Atefeh Zandifar
Rahim Badrfam
Mahdi Mohammaditabar
Bita Kargar
Saba Goodarzi
Amirhossein Hajialigol
Shera Ketabforoush
Afshin Heidari
Hanie Fathi
Arman Shafiee
Hadi Pourjafar
The Effect of Prebiotics and Probiotics on Levels of Depression, Anxiety, and Cognitive Function: A Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials
Brain and Behavior
anxiety
cognitive function
depression
gut microflora
mental disorders
prebiotics
title The Effect of Prebiotics and Probiotics on Levels of Depression, Anxiety, and Cognitive Function: A Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials
title_full The Effect of Prebiotics and Probiotics on Levels of Depression, Anxiety, and Cognitive Function: A Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials
title_fullStr The Effect of Prebiotics and Probiotics on Levels of Depression, Anxiety, and Cognitive Function: A Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials
title_full_unstemmed The Effect of Prebiotics and Probiotics on Levels of Depression, Anxiety, and Cognitive Function: A Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials
title_short The Effect of Prebiotics and Probiotics on Levels of Depression, Anxiety, and Cognitive Function: A Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials
title_sort effect of prebiotics and probiotics on levels of depression anxiety and cognitive function a meta analysis of randomized clinical trials
topic anxiety
cognitive function
depression
gut microflora
mental disorders
prebiotics
url https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70401
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