Evidence mapPaperPMID 40400804Full record

ArticleCureus2025

Impact of a Probiotic-Fiber Blend on Body Weight, Metabolic Regulation, and Digestive Function in Obese Adults: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Multicentric Trial.

Manohar Kn, Ramshyam Agarwal, Aparana Patange, Pariksha Rao, Gayatri Ganu, Kaynat Khan, Sanjana Sawant

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Review
  3. Article
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Manohar KnDiabetes and Endocrinology, Manipal Hospitals, Bangalore, IND.
Ramshyam AgarwalGeneral Medicine, Lokmanya Medical Research Center, Pune, IND.
Aparana PatangeMedicine, Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth Deemed to be University, Karad, IND.
Pariksha RaoClinical Nutrition and Gut Microbiome, IMPAct4Nutrition, Bangalore, IND.
Gayatri GanuPharmacology, Mprex Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., Pune, IND.
Kaynat KhanNutrition, India Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, Pune, IND.
Sanjana SawantResearch and Development, India Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, Pune, IND.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionObesity is closely associated with metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions including abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, and impaired glucose metabolism. Emerging research suggests that gut dysbiosis, an imbalance in gut microbiota, plays a key role in metabolic syndrome, influencing insulin resistance, inflammation, and lipid metabolism. The gut microbiome has gained attention for its impact on energy balance, fat storage, and metabolic regulation. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentric clinical study evaluated the efficacy and safety of probiotic-fiber blend formulation in obese adults.

methodsObese adults (body mass index (BMI) 30-<40 kg/m², aged 30-45; male: 46.15%, female: 53.85%) were randomly assigned to receive either the probiotic-fiber blend formulation or a placebo for 90 days, along with lifestyle counseling. Primary outcomes included body weight, BMI, waist/hip circumference, and body fat percentage. Secondary outcomes assessed biochemical parameters, digestive health, quality of life, perceived stress, and metabolic syndrome severity Z (MetS-Z) score. One hundred four participants completed the study.

resultsThe probiotic-fiber blend formulation (n = 53) demonstrated statistically significant (p < 0.001) improvements compared to placebo (n = 51), including reductions in body weight (12.01%), BMI (12.14%), waist circumference (9.64%), and hip circumference (9.63%) compared to placebo. Additionally, statistically significant reductions were observed in the MetS-Z score (54.02%), triglycerides (25.75%), and perceived stress (37.62%), along with a notable increase in HDL levels (16.55%). Significant improvements in digestive health and quality of life were also recorded, reinforcing the probiotic-fiber blend efficacy.

conclusionThe findings provide robust evidence that the probiotic-fiber blend effectively improves anthropometric and biochemical markers in obesity. These results underscore the therapeutic potential of gut microbiome modulation in metabolic health. Further research should explore long-term effects, mechanistic pathways, and broader clinical applications.

Indexed as

fibergut microbiomemetabolic healthobesityprobiotics

Identifiers

PMID40400804
PMCPMC12092963

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.