Probiotics may help with weight loss through a number of different mechanisms (40).
For example, some probiotics prevent the absorption of dietary fat in the intestine.
The fat is then excreted through feces rather than stored in the body (41, 42).
Probiotics may also help you feel fuller for longer, burn more calories and store less fat. This is partly caused by increasing levels of certain hormones, such as GLP-1 (43, 44).
They may also help with weight loss directly. In one study, dieting women who took Lactobacillus rhamnosus for 3 months lost 50% more weight than women who didn’t take a probiotic (45).
Another study of 210 people found that taking even low doses of Lactobacillus gasseri for 12 weeks resulted in an 8.5% reduction of belly fat (46).
However, it’s important to be aware that not all probiotics aid in weight loss.
Surprisingly, some studies found certain probiotics, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, can even lead to weight gain (47).
More studies are needed to clarify the link between probiotics and weight (48).