Can Lactiplantibacillus Plantarum Boost Your Health? (2024)

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (L. plantarum, formerly called Lactobacillus plantarum) is a probiotic bacterium with many different strains (types).

L. plantarum can be found in the following products:

• Fermented foods and beverages
• Over-the-counter (OTC) probiotic supplements

Researchers have also observed L. plantarum in the body's mucous membranes, saliva, and digestive tract (gut).

This article describes the uses, potential benefits, and safety of L. plantarum.

Fermented Foods and Beverages

A vibrant history of fermented foods and beverages exists from around the globe. L. plantarum can be found in fermented foods and beverages such as the following:

• Brined olives
• Fermented sausages like chouriço (a Portuguese sausage)
• Fermented soy milk
• Fufu (fermented cassava from West Africa)
• Korean kimchi
• Ogi (fermented pudding made in Nigeria from ground grains)
  
• Pickles
• Raw sourdough (note, L. plantarum mostly can't survive the high temperatures of baking)
• Sataw-Dong (a traditional fermented sticky bean product in southern Thailand)
• Sauerkraut
• Some cheeses
• Stockfish (dried, unsalted fish, including cod)
• Tofu
• Uji (fermented pudding made in Kenya from ground grains)

There are many more fermented fruits and vegetables than what is listed here.

Finding new recipes, learning more about the rich cultures they come from, and taste-testing to see which ones you like can be a fun way to continue to support your health.

The Research

There is significant interest in the microbiome (all the microorganisms living in your body). Researchers have drawn connections between the gut microbiome and nervous system health.

Studies have found links in how changing your body's microbe balance can influence your health. L. plantarum impacts the microbiome and beyond. It has been studied for the following conditions:

• Anxiety: L. plantarumin adults showed moderate benefits for anxiety. One study researched using L. plantarumstrain P8 daily for 12 weeks. Another study used 1 billioncolony-forming units (CFU) of L. plantarum DR7 strain taken daily for 12 weeks.
• Anxiety and behavior manifestations in autism spectrum disorder (ASD): One study in male children (7 to 15 years old) decreased specific behaviors.The study used 30 billion CFU of the PS128 strain daily for four weeks.
• Atopic dermatitis: A study in children (12 months to 13 years) using 5 billion CFU of the CJLP133strain daily for 12 weeks benefitted SCOring of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) scores.
• Blood sugar control: Studies showed lower HBA1c levels (average blood sugar levels taken over three months) in people with prediabetes. One study researched 4 billionCFUs of the L. plantarum strain HAC01 for eight weeks. Another used yogurt with more than 5 billion CFU of the OLL2712 strain daily for 12 weeks.
• Depression and sleep quality: One study showed improvements in depression and sleep quality using30 billion CFU of the PS128 strain for 30 days.
• High blood pressure (hypertension): One study showed a minimal benefit that wasn't considered clinically significant.
  
• Inflammation: A meta-analysis (collection of studies) suggested L. plantarum positively impacts inflammation in the body. One study using up to 90 billion CFU daily L. plantarum TWK10 strain daily for six weeks noted enhanced athletic performance and improved body composition in the participants taking this amount. Researchers thought this may be related to its ability to reduce inflammation.
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD; Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis): A study found statistically and clinically significant benefits on IBD symptoms using a combination product with water, fermented oats, barley malt, lecithin, and L. plantarum 299v for eight weeks. However, it's challenging to know the effect of L. plantarum alone.
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): One study suggested benefits for bowel frequency and stool consistency (Bristol score) using 3.52 billion CFU daily of the CCFM1143 strain. Another study used 10 billion CFU of the 299v strain for four weeks with significant benefit. However, another using the 299v strain did not help IBS symptoms.

As with any natural remedy or dietary supplement, L. plantarum should not be used as a substitute for standard care. More studies are needed to confirm these results.

Speak with your healthcare provider if you have questions about your health.

Side Effects and Safety Concerns

Some individuals have experienced side effects from L. plantarum, including gas and bloating.

In the following cases, avoid taking L. plantarum until discussing it further with your healthcare provider:

• People with weakened or impaired immune systems
• Premature infants
  

There has also been interest in how the gut microbiome impacts the body's use of certain medications and how medications impact the microbiome.

Antibiotics, while helpful, can reduce both bad and good microbes in the body.

However, a review suggested following nonantibiotic medicines also impact levels of Lactobacillus species in the body:

• ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors
• Opioids
• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
• Tricyclic antidepressants (reduced Lactobacillus levels)

Some supplements risk being contaminated. Seek products that mention "current good manufacturing practices" (CGMP) on the label.

Summary

Research suggests L. plantarum may offer some health benefits. However, more, extensive clinical trials are needed to confirm results. To boost your intake of L. plantarum from foods, look into fermented foods such as sauerkraut and kimchi.

If you're considering taking L. plantarum in supplement form, speak with your healthcare provider to ensure it's the right option.