What the evidence says. Several controlled trials; effects real but modest or context-dependent.
What is Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173 010?
Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173 010 (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis DN-173 010 (Activia)) is a probiotic strain used for shortens colonic and total gut transit time (most robust, strain-specific effect). NutriDex grades the human evidence as Moderate. Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis DN-173 010 (also designated CNCM I-2494, the Activia strain) is the most extensively trialed fermented-milk probiotic for accelerating gut transit. Randomized double-blind trials show it shortens colonic transit time in healthy women and in constipation-predominant IBS, where it also significantly reduced abdominal distension and accelerated orocaecal and colonic transit. A 2016 systematic review and meta-analysis of 3 trials (598 adults) found a modest but significant improvement in overall GI discomfort (pooled OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.07-2.05). Evidence is consistent for transit and bloating/comfort endpoints but mixed for hard outcomes: a 160-child RCT in functional constipation found no benefit over control for stool frequency.
Purported Benefits
✓Shortens colonic and total gut transit time (most robust, strain-specific effect)
✓Reduces abdominal distension/bloating in constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C)
✓Improves overall GI discomfort and digestive well-being in adults with minor digestive symptoms
✓Improves health-related quality of life and bloating scores in IBS-C in primary care
✓Increases weekly stool frequency in adults reporting <3 stools/week
Evidence by outcome
The same supplement can be well-proven for one use and unproven for another — here is the human evidence graded outcome by outcome.
Outcome
Evidence
Effect
Studies
Colonic / total gut transit timeMost robust strain-specific effect; RCTs and a transit meta-analysis show medium-large reductions in transit time.
Stool frequencyIncreases frequency in adults with <3 stools/wk, but a 160-child constipation RCT found no benefit.
Mixed
↔ mixed · small
2
Dosing & Compounds
Typical Dose
Trials used fermented milk delivering roughly 1.25 x 10^10 CFU of DN-173 010 per serving (about 6 x 10^9 CFU per 125 g pot), taken as 2-3 servings/day with meals. Effects on transit and comfort emerged within 10 days to 4 weeks of daily consumption.
Active Compounds
Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis DN-173 010CNCM I-2494 (synonymous deposit designation)Activia / Danone Activia fermented milk (with yoghurt strains L. bulgaricus + S. thermophilus)Delivered as fermented dairy, not a standalone capsule
Safety & Cautions
⚠
Well tolerated across trials with no significant adverse-event signal versus control dairy; common, food-grade Bifidobacterium delivered in yoghurt. As with any live probiotic, exercise caution in critically ill, immunocompromised patients, or those with central venous catheters, where probiotic bacteremia has rarely been reported. Contains milk — unsuitable for those with milk allergy; lactose content is relevant for severe intolerance. Educational only — always check with your doctor or pharmacist before combining Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173 010 with any medicine.
Common questions about Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173 010
What is Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173 010 used for?
Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173 010 is most often taken for Shortens colonic and total gut transit time (most robust, strain-specific effect), Reduces abdominal distension/bloating in constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C), Improves overall GI discomfort and digestive well-being in adults with minor digestive symptoms, Improves health-related quality of life and bloating scores in IBS-C in primary care. The "Activia" strain — fermented-milk Bifidobacterium that speeds gut transit and eases bloating
Does Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173 010 work — what does the evidence say?
Moderate evidence. Several controlled trials; effects real but modest or context-dependent. Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis DN-173 010 (also designated CNCM I-2494, the Activia strain) is the most extensively trialed fermented-milk probiotic for accelerating gut transit. Randomized double-blind trials show it shortens colonic transit time in healthy women and in constipation-predominant IBS, where it also significantly reduced abdominal distension and accelerated orocaecal and colonic transit. A 2016 systematic review and meta-analysis of 3 trials (598 adults) found a modest but significant improvement in overall GI discomfort (pooled OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.07-2.05). Evidence is consistent for transit and bloating/comfort endpoints but mixed for hard outcomes: a 160-child RCT in functional constipation found no benefit over control for stool frequency.
What is the typical dose of Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173 010?
Trials used fermented milk delivering roughly 1.25 x 10^10 CFU of DN-173 010 per serving (about 6 x 10^9 CFU per 125 g pot), taken as 2-3 servings/day with meals. Effects on transit and comfort emerged within 10 days to 4 weeks of daily consumption.
Is Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173 010 safe? Any cautions or side effects?
Well tolerated across trials with no significant adverse-event signal versus control dairy; common, food-grade Bifidobacterium delivered in yoghurt. As with any live probiotic, exercise caution in critically ill, immunocompromised patients, or those with central venous catheters, where probiotic bacteremia has rarely been reported. Contains milk — unsuitable for those with milk allergy; lactose content is relevant for severe intolerance.
How many studies support Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173 010?