5 Bifidobacterium Bifidum Health Benefits: Digestive and Dermis

In 1899, a man named Henri Tissier first discovered Bifidobacteria when he was able to isolate the bacteria from the feces of breast-fed infants. Bifidobacterium Bifidum is an anaerobic, gram-positive type of bacteria that comes from the Bifidobacterium family and is not spore-forming.

It can be found in the vagina, breast milk, colon, and lower small intestines of mammals and humans. It can also be found in yogurts, kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut and other fermented foods.

In this article, I will evaluate the 5 health benefits of Bifidobacterium Bifidum.

1. Improves IBS Digestive Discomfort

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder characterized by digestive discomfort, including symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits.

Bifidobacterium Bifidum can ease IBS symptoms since analysis of the data at the conclusion of an experiment, found that individuals in the probiotic group experienced reduced levels of pain, discomfort, bloating, and diarrhea compared to those in the placebo group.

In 2011, the Department of Food Science and Microbiology in Italy conducted a significant double-blind randomized clinical trial to investigate the effects of Bifidobacterium bifidum MIMBb75 on individuals with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). This study was prompted by emerging research suggesting that an imbalance in gut bacteria could contribute to the development of IBS in certain individuals.

To assess whether Bifidobacterium bifidum MIMBb75 could restore the bacterial imbalance and alleviate IBS symptoms, the researchers designed a placebo-controlled experiment. Over a period of four weeks, 122 participants with IBS were enrolled, with 62 receiving a placebo and 60 receiving the Bifidobacterium strain. Throughout the study, participants' IBS symptoms were monitored and recorded using a Likert scale.

Importantly, no adverse side effects were reported, indicating the safety of the bifidobacteria intervention. For me, this study provided valuable evidence supporting the potential of Bifidobacterium bifidum MIMBb75 in improving the quality of life for individuals suffering from IBS.

2. Supports Infantile Eczema Care

Infantile eczema manifests as red, itchy patches of dry skin, commonly found on the face, scalp, arms, and legs of young children.

Bifidobacterium Bifidum can supports eczema care according to the results of a study that found infants who received the B. bifidum probiotic exhibited lower SCORAD scores compared to the control group.

Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) is a prevalent condition that affects approximately 25% of infants, with a higher likelihood if the parent also has eczema. A study conducted by the Department of Pediatrics at Qingdao University and several other hospitals aimed to investigate the potential positive effects of Bifidobacterium bifidum supplementation on infantile eczema, either as a preventive measure or treatment.

The trial included 40 infants with confirmed eczema using the Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index. They were divided into two groups of 20. Stool samples were collected and analyzed using 16S rRNA/DNA quantitative polymerase chain reaction to determine the levels of B. bifidum. Subsequently, half of the infants were randomly assigned to receive a daily B. bifidum probiotic for four weeks, while the other half formed the control group and did not receive the probiotic.

Further analysis of stool samples revealed higher levels of Bifidobacterium bifidum in the probiotic group than in the control group. It is worth noting that this trial focused on short-term benefits of probiotic use, and no long-term effects or potential side effects were examined.

3. Manages H. Pylori

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium that infects the stomach and can cause various gastrointestinal conditions such as gastritis and peptic ulcers. Bifidobacterium Bifidum can manage H. Pylori because a study suggested the strain might assist in addressing H. pylori infection by affecting gastric mucous.

A 2006 study from Toho University in Tokyo, Japan, explored the effects of Bifidobacterium Bifidum YIT 4007 in fermented milk on individuals with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. The study involved both human trials and in vivo experiments, including placebo tests. The results revealed that the probiotic bacteria had a positive impact on upper gastrointestinal symptoms in the group receiving B. Bifidum compared to the control group. 

Furthermore, a separate study conducted by the Yakult Central Institute for Microbiological Research demonstrated the ability of the BF-1 bacteria to suppress the growth of H. pylori genes in human cells which sounds promising to me.

4. Manages Stress-Induced IBS Diarrhea

Stress induced IBS diarrhea is a form of irritable bowel syndrome characterized by recurrent episodes of loose or watery stools triggered by stress.

Bifidobacterium Bifidum has potential in managing stress induced IBS since amongst probiotic strains tested, Bifidobacterium bifidum R0071 showed a positive impact on stress-related diarrhea scores in volunteers.

In a joint study conducted by Canadian and American researchers in 2016, it was suggested that excessive stress could contribute to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) symptoms, potentially through the gut/brain connection. The researchers aimed to investigate whether Lactobacillus Helveticus R0052, Bifidobacterium longum ssp. infantis R0033, or Bifidobacterium bifidum R0071 could alleviate stress-induced IBS diarrhea.

Participants were required to self-report stress levels, frequency of diarrhea, and other related factors. After a two-week period, it was observed that the scores for stress and diarrhea were lower in the group that received the B. bifidum probiotic bacteria compared to the placebo group.

I would like to point out that not all B. Bifidum strains will have the same effect and the researchers also noted that antibiotic usage and sleep time had varying effects on the score results.

5. Helps In Constipation Management

Constipation is a common digestive condition characterized by infrequent bowel movements and difficulty passing stool.

Bifidobacterium Bifidum has positive effects in constipation management because the frequency of bowel movements increased, the presence of Sarcina maxima bacteria increased, and overall quality of life (QOL) improved in participants eating this strain.

A recent Japanese study, published in 2021, examined the potential effects of Bifidobacterium bifidum G9-1 BBG9-1 on patients with constipation. The study aimed to address the impact of constipation on patients' quality of life, as previous research has indicated a connection between chronic constipation and an imbalance in gut bacteria known as dysbiosis.

The trial included 31 patients experiencing constipation and reduced quality of life. In this non-blinded trial, the participants were instructed to consume B. Bifidum G9-1 probiotic tablets daily, after meals, for a duration of 8 weeks. At the end of the study, significant improvements were observed.

Importantly, the treatment was deemed safe and showed promise as a potential therapeutic approach for constipation management.