London - A daily dose of ‘friendly bacteria’ like the bugs found in probiotic yoghurts and drinks could help beat coughs and colds, a study has shown.
Researchers found that children who took a pill containing probiotics were less likely to catch a cold. And when they did fall ill, their symptoms were milder.
As a result, the youngsters were off preschool less, saw their GP less and were prescribed fewer antibiotics, according to the report published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
In the study, 57 children aged between three and six years old took either a daily probiotic pill or an identical placebo tablet. Those who took the pills containing “friendly” bacteria – similar to the bugs found in probiotic yoghurts and drinks –were a third less likely to catch a cold.
The amount of time they spent sneezing was cut by 76 percent, and they spent half as much time coughing. Children offered the probiotic pill also missed half as much nursery and preschool due to coughs and colds and were 40 percent less likely to be prescribed antibiotics.
The tablets used in the study were made by ProVen Probiotics. ProVen spokesman Dr Nigel Plummer said the blackcurrant-flavoured pills, which cost £13.95 (about R250) for a month’s supply, could also help adults.
But Professor Hugh Pennington, one of the country’s leading microbiologists, said he was sceptical about whether probiotics prevent colds, adding: “Children are going to pick up colds. There is not much parents can do except give their child plenty of fluids and TLC.” - Daily Mail