Bifidobacterium breve is a probiotic strain of bacteria found naturally in healthy baby and adult digestive tracts. This probiotic produces acetic and lactic acids which help to break down food including non-digestible plant fibers.
By lowering the pH of the intestinal tract, this probiotic also helps to inhibit the growth of pathogenic (disease-causing) bacteria and supports the immune system.
B. breve is used to relieve diarrhea, intestinal gas and reduce bowel irritations. It is also used to treat the symptoms of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and to treat allergic conditions.
Bifidobacterium breve is also found in the vagina and helps to prevent yeast infections caused by Candida albicans. There are a number of different probiotic supplements that contain B. breve and you can also find it naturally in some fermented foods, such as yogurt.
One popular brand that contains B. breve along with 14 other strains of beneficial bacteria is the Hyperbiotics PRO-15 Probiotic supplement. This supplement is promoted to support optimal digestive and immune health while helping to relieve occasional gas, bloating and irregularity.



- Supports a healthy immune system & microflora
- Promotes digestion & nutrient absoprtion
- Combats pathogenic bacteria; Improves metabolism
Bifidobacterium Breve
Related Topics
- What are Probiotics?
- Probiotic Benefits
- Best Probiotic Strains
- Probiotic Side Effects
- Probiotic Supplements
- Probiotic Foods
- Best Probiotic Yogurt
- Probiotics for Children
- Probiotics for Women
- Yeast Infections
- What are Prebotics?
- Lactobacillus Acidophilus
- Lactobacillus Bulgaricus
- Lactobacillus Rhamnosus
- Bifidobacterium Bifidum
- Bifidobacterium Infantis
- Bifidus Regularis
Bifidobacterium breve is a friendly bacterial organism that occurs naturally in human breast milk. As we age, the population of B. breve bacteria found in the gastrointestinal tract can begin to decline.
By supplementing the diet with this healthy probiotic bacteria, it may be possible to improve general digestive function and immunity.
In the digestive tract, Bifidobacterium breve helps to ferment sugars and produce acetic and lactic acids. This bacterium is unique because it can break down a number of different types of foods, including non-digestible plant fibers.
This probiotic also has a number of medicinal uses and is frequently taken to reduce the occurrence of bowel irritations, diarrhea, constipation and gas (flatulence). Low levels of B. breve in the human microbiome have been linked to irritable bowel syndriome, allergies and antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
Bifidobacterium Breve Benefits
Researchers have established a number of health benefits linked to consumption of oral Bifidobacterium breve supplements.
B. breve has been found to have protective properties for the colon function and is used to treat constipation. It is also used to boost the immune system and inhibits the E. Coli infection.
This probiotic has been used to effectively treat oral Candida in the older adults. Some clinical studies have suggested that many cases of IBS have resulted from Candida infections.
In clinical studies this probiotic has been shown to also reduce intestine irritation and allergic responses.
This probiotic is used to help preterm infants gain weight and is used to treat children. Some clinical studies have found B. breve may help metabolic conditions associated with obesity.
It was found in a clinical animal study published in Pediatric Research in July 2011 that B. breve modulates anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic reactions. It does this by regulating the expression of inflammatory molecules during the newborn period and the expression of co-stimulatory molecules during the weaning period.
Bifidobacterium Breve Uses
A clinical study published in the Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine in January 2016 took findings from Bifidobacterium breve M-16V supplementation in regards to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) to see how this applied to infants.
In this clinical study the B. breve M-16V supplementation effect on fecal bifidobacteria in preterm babies.
A clinical study published in the Lanclet (London) in November 2015 studied if probiotics may reduce necrotising enterocolitis (inflammation and tissue death in the intestine) and late-onset sepsis (whole body inflammation from an infection) after preterm birth.
In very pre-term infants (23 to 30 week gestation) it was found there wasn not a significant rate of difference between the control group and the probiotic group. This clinical result finding does not support the routine use of B breve BBG-001 for preventing necrotising enterocolitis and late-onset sepsis in very preterm infants.
A clinical study published in PLos in October 2015 showed CD (cesarean delivery) aggravates the nasal symptoms of AR (Allergic Rhinitis) mice compared to VD (vaginal delivery).
The clinical study found oral administration of B. breve shortly after birth can significantly alleviate the symptoms of AR mice born via either delivery method.
This result is believed to be due to the activation of the regulatory capacity of CD4(+) (T-helper cells white blood cells that help fight infection) CD25(+) (type I transmembrane protein present on activated T cells) Foxp3(+) (scurfin, a protein involved in immune system responses) and Treg cells (subpopulation of T cells which modulate the immune system).
Bifidobacterium Breve B-3 for Weight Loss
A clinical study published in the Journal of Nutritional Science in May 2015 showed Bifidobacterium breve B-3 given orally helps modifies metabolic functions in adults with obese tendencies.
Bifidobacterium breve B-3 was found to have an anti-obesity effect on high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice. A significantly lowered fat mass was observed in the B-3 group at week 12 when compared with the placebo group.
Improvements were observed related to liver functions and inflammation, such as ?-glutamyltranspeptidase (diagnostic marker in liver disease) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (pentameric protein blood plasma, levels rise in response to inflammation).
These results suggest the potential benefit in using B. breve B-3 to improve metabolic conditions such as those found in obesity.
Bifidobacterium Breve Side Effects
Bifidobacterium breve side effects are not common when this probiotic supplement is used appropriately. Most users report that it is well-tolerated, though some may experience diarrhea, bloating or flatulence when they first start taking probiotics. These symptoms typically subside after a few days.
Probiotics like Bifidobacterium breve should not be taken by those with impaired immune systems, those with open surgical wounds or those using a catheter. People with SBS (Short Bowel Syndrome) should also avoid probiotics. Probiotics do interact with antibiotics and should be taken at least two hours apart.
Bifidobacterium breve is found in infant’s digestive system and is present in breast milk. However, its safety for use in pregnancy is unknown and should only be taken under direction from a medical care professional.
Bifidobacterium breve is beneficial in treating constipation, diarrhea, IBS and allergic conditions and may help reduce obesity.
- Patole SK, Effect of Bifidobacterium breve M-16V supplementation on fecal bifidobacteria in growth restricted very preterm infants -analysis from a randomised trial. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2016 Jan 28:1-16. [Epub ahead of print]
- Costeloe K, Bifidobacterium breve BBG-001 in very preterm infants: a randomised controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet 2015 Nov 25. pii: S0140-6736(15)01027-2. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(15)01027-2. [Epub ahead of print]
- Ren JJ, Effects of Bifidobacterium Breve Feeding Strategy and Delivery Modes on Experimental Allergic Rhinitis Mice. PLoS One 2015 Oct 7;10(10):e0140018. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140018. eCollection 2015.
- Satoh T, Bifidobacterium breve prevents necrotising enterocolitis by suppressing inflammatory responses in a preterm rat model. Benef Microbes 2015 Sep 30:1-8. [Epub ahead of print]
- Mortaz E, Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Lactobacillus Rahmnosus and Bifidobacterium Breve on Cigarette Smoke Activated Human Macrophages. PLos One 2015 Aug 28;10(8):e0136455. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136455. eCollection 2015.
- Minami J, Oral administration of Bifidobacterium breve B-3 modifies metabolic functions in adults with obese tendencies in a randomised controlled trial. J Nutr Sci 2015 May 4;4:e17. doi: 10.1017/jns.2015.5. eCollection 2015.
Article last updated on: April 10th, 2018 by Nootriment