Beyond Digestion: Probiotics for Mental Well-being

On World Mental Health Day, we are pleased to join the global effort to raise awareness about mental well-being and mobilize support for mental health care.

Mental Health in a Nutshell

The World Health Organization defines mental health as “a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.” With 30% of consumers dissatisfied with their stress and anxiety levels, this issue is indeed concerning and worth addressing¹.

Mental health encompasses three major components:

Throughout life, from childhood to old age, we strive to maintain these components in relative equilibrium in the quest for well-being, or in other words, to live a happy, fulfilling life.

Mental Well-being in Healthy Individuals

Modern lifestyles often come with the burden of everyday stress, which significantly impacts overall mental well-being. Compared to older generations, younger consumers are experiencing more stress and anxiety (39% for Gen Z vs. 29% for Gen X)². When asked about the causes of their stress and sleep troubles, consumers most frequently mention concerns about the health and well-being of loved ones, followed by worries about their own health, financial situation, and work obligations¹. Research indicates that consumers often stress over global issues beyond their control, such as climate change, price inflation, and conflicts².

Recurring poor sleep can impact learning capacity, memory, decision-making, and creativity. People recognize that issues such as fatigue, low mood, and anxiety don’t just have a short-term impact on day-to-day life but can affect quality of life in the long-term and increase vulnerability to disease and illness¹.

Strategies to Optimize Mental Well-being

In its 2024 global consumer trends report, Innova Market Insights revealed that one striking trend is that consumers want to feel positive , with 61% of global consumers affirming that ‘feeling well’ means ‘feeling mentally happy/positive’. Feeling mentally and emotionally well is the #1 goal for consumers, followed by vitality and energy. With ‘feeling well’ being the key driver for pursuing a healthier lifestyle, consumers are adopting strategies to help them feel mentally and emotionally at their best. These strategies include being physically active, improving sleep, adjusting their diet and nutrition habits, and developing authentic social connections³.

Pioneering Probiotics for Stress and Well-being Management

In the last 12 months, 33% of consumers used probiotics to help reduce their stress (vs. 22% in 2020)¹. Additionally, 54% of consumers were aware of the link between the gut/digestive system and mood/happiness¹. Several scientific studies have explored the relationship between diet, the gut microbiome, and mental health by modifying the nutritional intake of subjects. These studies suggest that probiotics can be a supportive solution for mental well-being. Probiotics have demonstrated the ability to improve behavior, mood, anxiety, stress, and depression-like symptoms [Liu 2019, Del Toro-Barbosa 2020, Tremblay 2021].

How Our Gut Can Enhance Our Wellness

Healthy eating fuels the whole body, including brain functions. Once ingested, nutrients mix with trillions of other absorbed microorganisms: this bacterial community is called the microbiome. This gut microbiome can promote overall wellbeing, from physical to mental health. Nutrients, such as short-chain fatty acids from the digestion of carbohydrates by bacteria, provide energy, reinforce the immune system, and drive us to accomplish various tasks, all the while triggering happy feelings from a good meal. An increasing amount of scientific research demonstrates the bi-directional dialogue between our digestive system and the central nervous system, as these it communicates through the vagus nerve, the physical connection between the gut and the brain. Furthermore, the gut is sometimes referred to as our “second brain” because of its capacity to work without direct command from the brain thanks to its enteric nervous system (ENS) containing millions of neurons. This system enables the gut to send signals to the brain.

In this way, the microbiota-gut-brain axis involves the complex interactions between the central nervous system, the enteric nervous system, the gut-associated immune system, and the enteric neuroendocrine system, regulating key physiological functions such as food intake and intestinal functions, the immune response, sleep, emotions and mood regulation.

Psychobiotics: Probiotics for Mental Health

Both probiotics and psychobiotics refer to live microorganisms that, when ingested in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. For psychobiotics, they lead more specifically to mental health benefits. The term psychobiotic, coined in 2013, has been widely adopted by neuroscientists to describe the use of probiotics in addressing depression-like symptoms, occasional stress and anxiety, and other mental health concerns through the microbiota-gut-brain axis.

A Leading Psychobiotic for Mental Health

One of the most extensively documented psychobiotics on the market is Cerebiome®, which combines Lallemand Health Solutions’ bacterial strains L. helveticus Rosell®-52 and B. longum Rosell®-175. Cerebiome®, has clinically demonstrated to offer natural support for mood balance, help manage occasional stress, support gut comfort, contribute to a better sleep, and contribute to holistic well-being. It acts on the microbiome-gut-brain axis to support a healthy response to everyday stress. Cerebiome® can also be formulated with other beneficial ingredients that promote relaxation, sleep, and emotional balance, such as saffron extracts, melatonin, and ashwagandha. Cerebiome®’s efficacy has been tested in a new proof-of-concept clinical trial conducted in young adult females. This trial explored the intricate relationship between the microbiome, gut, brain, and skin—a dynamic axis with immense potential for holistic well-being. Preliminary outcomes suggest that Cerebiome® can help with occasional stress and support the maintenance of healthy skin. More ongoing studies pertaining to teenagers, stress, sleep, and an innovative study about e-gamers and cognitive functions are being conducted, to further document Cerebiome® benefits on mental health in various areas.

References:
1 FMCG Gurus survey, Emotional Well-Being, 2024
2 Euromonitor’s Voice of the Consumer: Health and Nutrition Survey, 2023
3 Innova Market Insights Lifestyle and Attitudes survey 2024