Supplement analysis backed by scientific evidence · PT

← All supplements
Limited evidenceGut health

Bifidobacterium Breve

A bifidobacterium typical of the infant gut, best known from the A1 and M-16V strains. Most adult evidence comes from a handful of small Japanese trials on cognition, not from gut outcomes.

Evidence last reviewed: August 2026

What the science says

  • Cognitive function in older adults Limited evidence

    A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of B. breve A1 in older adults with memory complaints reported improvement on some cognitive tests, and a second trial in suspected mild cognitive impairment found similar signals. Both are small, single-country and industry-linked.

  • Infant gut and preterm outcomes Limited evidence

    B. breve strains, especially M-16V, are used in preterm infant units and appear in randomized trials of single- versus multi-strain Bifidobacterium supplementation, but results across strains and units are inconsistent.

  • Adult digestive symptoms Limited evidence

    There is no adequately sized randomized trial of B. breve alone for IBS, constipation or bloating in adults.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseCognitive trials used about 20 billion CFU per day of B. breve A1. Consumer products typically list 1–10 billion CFU.
SafetyWell tolerated; occasional gas in the first days. As with all live probiotics, avoid in severely immunocompromised patients, those with central venous catheters or critical illness without medical advice.

Scientific references

Where to buy

View on iHerb

Referral link — this site may earn a commission on purchases.

Related in Gut health