If you’re a probiotic-lover already, you’ll likely know lots about kombucha, kefir, sauerkraut, and miso. Probiotics have been linked to various health and wellness benefits, including immune, heart, and digestive health.1,2,3,4,5
Maybe you’re unaware of probiotics or sceptical of this highly hyped health food. If you’re interested in getting and staying lean, you should consider incorporating more fermented, probiotic-rich foods in your diet. Recent scientific studies have found that probiotic foods are associated with lower weight and reduced belly fat.6
The gut and human body weight
Previously, medical science didn’t pay much attention to the balance of bacteria in the gut. We now know that a healthy microbiota is strongly associated with good overall physical and mental health.7
Gut microbiota contains two strands of bacteria which help us regulate weight.8,9 Multiple studies have found that overweight people have imbalanced bacteria compared with those at a healthy weight.10,11,12,13 However, researchers are yet to discover why and whether it’s a cause or effect of obesity.14
4 ways probiotics impact body weight
So, what’s the link between probiotics and weight loss? Probiotics likely cause a reduction in belly fat and body mass. Here’s the science:
1. Reducing appetite
One study has found that when we consume probiotics regularly, they act as an appetite suppressant that stops us from overeating the types of foods associated with weight gain.15
2. Encouraging the body to expel fat
Probiotic consumption encourages the body to discard more fat in stools, rather than keeping it, by reducing the body’s ability to absorb fat from food.16

3. Decreasing the body’s ability to store fat
Multiple scientific studies have found that probiotic consumption is associated with higher protein levels, which impacts the body’s ability to store the fat absorbed from food.17,18,19
4. Accelerating weight loss
Numerous studies have found that when obese people consume probiotics, they experience body mass loss and reduced waist circumference.20,21,22

Probiotic foods to add to your diet
After hearing about how you can use probiotics for weight management and control (in a sustainable and healthy way), you may be thinking of increasing your intake. From kefir to kombucha, there are so many great ways you can incorporate more probiotics into your daily life.
The final say
Probiotics have a range of potential health benefits, including helping with your healthy weight goals. Interested in learning more about what they have to offer? If gut health is something you’re trying to improve, find out how probiotics are good for your stomach in our guide.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28861741/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25594887/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24780623/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24330093/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28762696/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6266556/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4367209/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26261039/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28532414/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6893459/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27252163/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32935533/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19043404/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7285218/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29702431/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25884980
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3993288/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20927337
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32751306/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24299712
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32615727/
- http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464612001399