A recent study published in Scientific Reports is exploring whether a specific probiotic—originally found in human breast milk—could help treat food allergies. Food allergies affect about 8% of children and 10% of adults in developed countries, and current treatments like oral immunotherapy or injectable drugs can be expensive and sometimes cause side effects. That’s why researchers are increasingly looking at whether improving gut health might offer a safer, more natural approach.
To test this idea, scientists used a mouse model of food allergy triggered by a milk protein. The untreated mice showed typical allergy symptoms, including poor weight gain, diarrhea, and signs of intestinal damage. The study also found that the small intestine was especially affected.
When the mice were given the probiotic—called Bifidobacterium longum infantis CCFM1269—their symptoms improved significantly. They gained weight more steadily, had fewer digestive issues, and showed fewer signs of allergic reactions and anaphylaxis. Other measures of health, like body temperature and immune organ function, also moved back toward normal levels.
The probiotic also appeared to help calm the immune system. It lowered levels of certain chemicals linked to allergic inflammation, including IL-4 and IL-17A. Some other immune signals changed as well, though not always in a simple or consistent way. Importantly, levels of allergy-related antibodies—like IgE—dropped significantly after treatment.
Another key benefit was improved gut health. The probiotic helped repair the intestinal lining by increasing important “tight junction” proteins that keep the gut barrier strong. It also reduced signs of oxidative stress, which can damage cells. Together, these changes suggest the probiotic helped restore the gut’s ability to act as a protective barrier.
The researchers also found that the probiotic changed the mix of bacteria in the gut. Some types of bacteria linked to worse allergy symptoms decreased, while others increased. One group of bacteria, called Helicobacter, was associated with better outcomes—but the researchers stress that this is only a correlation, not proof of cause and effect.
Overall, the study suggests this probiotic may have potential as a future treatment for food allergies. However, it’s important to note that the research was done in mice, and more studies—especially in humans—are needed before this approach could be used in real-world care.
