Effect of probiotic supplementation on the gut microbiota diversity in healthy populations: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

BMC medicine·January 7, 2026·PMID 41495831

Why it matters

Probiotics are widely marketed to healthy individuals for gut health, yet this meta-analysis challenges the common claim that they enhance microbiota diversity—a key marker of gut resilience. Clinicians in supplements, nutrition, and performance/longevity fields can use this evidence to counsel patients that routine probiotic use may not meaningfully shift diversity metrics in healthy populations.