Salivary biomarkers of stress and inflammation in first graders in Cote d′Ivoire: Effects of a probiotic food intervention

This semi-randomized controlled trial examined the effects of a probiotic food supplement on cortisol and Creactive protein (CRP) in a sample of 262 four-to seven-year-old children (56% girls) in two economicallydisadvantaged schools in an urban setting in Co circle te d ' Ivoire. For one semester, children in one school were randomized to receive a probiotic (N = 79) or placebo (N = 85) fermented dairy food each day they attended school; one child (due to medical reasons) and all children in the other school (N = 98) continued their diets as usual. Children provided two saliva samples at 11:30 on consecutive days at the end of the study. Analyses revealed that the probiotic group had lower cortisol than the placebo or diet-as-usual groups (p = .015); CRP levels were comparable across groups (p = .549). Exploratory analyses suggested that dose and regularity of consumption may impact the biomarkers as well. This study provides the first evidence that a probiotic milk product may lower cortisol in a sample of young, economically-disadvantaged children.

Automated summary

In economically-disadvantaged young children, a probiotic food supplement may lower cortisol levels, while CRP levels remain relatively unaffected. Further research on the impact of dose and regularity of consumption is warranted.