The effects of fermented milk containing Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris FC on defaecation in healthy young Japanese women: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Abstract

The objective of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to elucidate the effects of fermented milk containing Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris FC (FC) on defaecation in healthy young women. We included 31 women (18–31 years old) who were randomly selected into two groups. Subjects in the test group consumed fermented milk containing FC, while subjects in the placebo group consumed non-fermented gelled milk. In the test group, defaecation frequency (both in days and times per week) and stool volume significantly increased during the consumption of fermented milk containing FC compared with before consumption. These effects were also observed in subjects with mild constipation. Furthermore, in subjects with mild constipation, stool ammonia concentration was significantly lower in the test group than that in the placebo group after 4 weeks. These results suggest that fermented milk containing FC is beneficial for improving defaecation and faecal properties.

Keywords:

• Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris
• probiotics
• double-blind placebo-controlled trial
• fermented milk
• constipation
• improving defaecation

Acknowledgements

Study coordination, monitoring, data management and statistical analysis were performed by the staff of Fujicco Co., Ltd., (Hyogo, Japan). Recruitment and management of subjects were performed by the staff of Sonodagakuen Women’s University (Amagasaki, Japan).

Disclosure statement

This study was supported by funding from Fujicco co., Ltd., which also provided the study products for this clinical study. The study results and data contained in the publication have been developed by and/or for Fujicco Co., Ltd. Fujicco Co., Ltd. reserves the exclusive right to use the results and data for possible Health Claim requests.