Recent Advances in the Health Benefits and Safety of Probiotics: A Comprehensive Review

Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when given in sufficient quantities, offer health benefits, and are essential for preserving the gut health and general well-being of humans. Probiotics have a wide range of beneficial impacts on human health, which include immunomodulation, improved gut barrier function, and competitive exclusion of pathogens. Research indicated that probiotics can help to lower the cholesterol levels and prevent and treat several illnesses, including cancer, lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome, anemia, obesity, and allergy disorders. Probiotics also have a major impact on the composition of the gut microbiota, which helps to restore microbial balance and increase the number of beneficial bacteria. Probiotics due to their capacity to modulate the immune system and reduce inflammation have shown encouraging results when given as a supportive therapy to the patients during COVID-19. Probiotics are now easily available commercially worldwide as people are more frequently using for getting positive health benefits. Probiotics can be taken either in drink of dairy products or into foods or even can be consumed as supplements. Probiotic therapeutic applications will be further optimized as research progresses and the specific strains and formulations that maximize health benefits are understood. This review highlights the emerging role of probiotics in enhancing human health.