Lactobacillus reuteri
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Lactobacillus reuteri (Limosilactobacillus reuteri) is a dietary supplement with 8 published peer-reviewed studies involving 490 participants, researched for Infantile Colic, H. pylori Eradication, Gut Health & GI Function.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Infantile Colic
ModerateH. pylori Eradication
ModerateGut Health & GI Function
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Infantile Colic
To evaluate L. reuteri DSM 17938 for treatment of infantile colic.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate L. reuteri DSM 17938 for treatment of infantile colic.
Dose
10^8 CFU/day L. reuteri DSM 17938
Participants
50 breastfed colicky infants
Duration
21 days
Results
L. reuteri significantly reduced crying time compared to placebo. By day 21, 95% of L. reuteri infants were responders vs 7% in placebo group. Mean crying time reduced from 370 to 35 min/day.
How They Measured It
Daily crying time (minutes), treatment responder rate
To assess L. reuteri DSM 17938 for infantile colic in a community setting.
Study Type
Double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT
Purpose
To assess L. reuteri DSM 17938 for infantile colic in a community setting.
Dose
10^8 CFU/day
Participants
167 breastfed and formula-fed infants with colic
Duration
28 days
Results
L. reuteri reduced crying time in breastfed but not formula-fed infants. Breastfed infants in L. reuteri group cried 51 min/day less than placebo by day 28.
How They Measured It
Daily crying and fussing time
To evaluate effectiveness of L. reuteri for infantile colic.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To evaluate effectiveness of L. reuteri for infantile colic.
Dose
10^8 CFU/day across studies
Participants
Meta-analysis of 4 RCTs, 345 infants
Duration
21-28 days
Results
L. reuteri significantly reduced crying time compared to placebo (mean difference −49 min/day). Effect was most pronounced in exclusively breastfed infants.
How They Measured It
Pooled crying time data across RCTs
H. pylori Eradication
To evaluate L. reuteri as adjunct therapy for H. pylori eradication.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate L. reuteri as adjunct therapy for H. pylori eradication.
Dose
10^8 CFU twice daily
Participants
100 H. pylori-positive dyspeptic patients
Duration
4 weeks L. reuteri + 1 week triple therapy
Results
L. reuteri supplementation significantly increased H. pylori eradication rate (87% vs 70% placebo) and reduced antibiotic side effects, particularly diarrhea and bloating.
How They Measured It
H. pylori eradication rates (urea breath test), side effect incidence
To assess the efficacy of L. reuteri supplementation on H. pylori eradication.
Study Type
Meta-analysis
Purpose
To assess the efficacy of L. reuteri supplementation on H. pylori eradication.
Dose
Various L. reuteri doses
Participants
Meta-analysis of 7 RCTs, 689 patients
Duration
Various
Results
L. reuteri supplementation significantly improved H. pylori eradication rates (OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.24-2.67) and reduced therapy-related side effects.
How They Measured It
Pooled eradication rates and side effect data
Gut Health & GI Function
To evaluate L. reuteri for functional constipation in adults.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate L. reuteri for functional constipation in adults.
Dose
10^8 CFU/day
Participants
60 adults with functional constipation
Duration
4 weeks
Results
L. reuteri significantly increased bowel movement frequency and improved stool consistency compared to placebo.
How They Measured It
Bowel movement frequency, stool consistency (Bristol scale)
To investigate L. reuteri on gut motility and microbiome composition.
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To investigate L. reuteri on gut motility and microbiome composition.
Dose
10^8 CFU/day
Participants
46 healthy volunteers
Duration
8 weeks
Results
L. reuteri reduced whole-gut transit time and shifted microbiome composition towards increased Lactobacillus abundance.
How They Measured It
Colonic transit time, 16S rRNA gut microbiome analysis
To assess L. reuteri for regurgitation in infants.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess L. reuteri for regurgitation in infants.
Dose
10^8 CFU/day
Participants
56 term infants with functional regurgitation
Duration
30 days
Results
L. reuteri group had significantly fewer daily regurgitation episodes and improved gastric emptying compared to placebo.
How They Measured It
Number of daily regurgitation episodes
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lactobacillus reuteri research
There are currently 8 peer-reviewed studies on Lactobacillus reuteri (Limosilactobacillus reuteri), involving 490 total participants. Research covers Infantile colic, H. pylori eradication, Gut health and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (6 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Lactobacillus reuteri has been researched for: Infantile colic, H. pylori eradication, Gut health, Bone density. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 6 out of 8 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
