SynthesisNutrition journal2026
Effects of probiotic supplementation on faecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations in healthy individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Synthesis in Nutrition journal, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundShort-chain fatty acids produced by microorganisms living in the gastrointestinal tract are known to have numerous beneficial effects. Because certain probiotic strains may influence short-chain fatty acid production, probiotic supplementation has been proposed as a potential strategy to modify faecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations. Our aim was to investigate whether probiotics modify faecal short-chain fatty acid levels in healthy populations via systematic review and meta-analysis.
methodsWe performed a systematic search of the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases on 12/04/2024. We analysed exclusively randomized controlled trials meeting all the following criteria: population: healthy people; intervention: probiotic supplementation; control: no probiotic supplementation; outcome: faecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations. A total of 9217 articles were reviewed, 21 of which met the preset inclusion criteria. Twelve articles, including 541 subjects, were eligible for meta-analysis of changes in faecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations. The standardized mean difference (SMD, Hedges' g) was chosen as the effect indicator due to the different measurement techniques used. A random-effects model was used to estimate SMD with 95% confidence interval (CI) due to the expected heterogeneity.
resultsNo statistically significant differences were detected in the faecal butyrate (SMD = 0.07, 95%CI:[(-)0.16 - 0.30]), acetate (SMD = 0.06, 95%CI:[(-)0.14 - 0.27]), and propionate (SMD = 0.09, 95%CI:[(-)0.07 - 0.25]) levels between individuals taking and not taking probiotics.
conclusionsOur results suggest that probiotic intake has a minor effect on faecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations, but this effect is not statistically detectable in healthy individuals. Thus, there is insufficient evidence of statistically significant effect of probiotic supplementation on stool short-chain fatty acid concentrations in healthy individuals.
trial registrationResearch protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022286137).
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