Human Bifidobacterium M-63 Confirmed to Have Beneficial Effects on Bowel Habits and Gut Environment in Infants After Weaning ~Published in the Scientific Journal 'Pediatric Research'~
A joint research by Morinaga Milk and Matsumoto City Hospital confirmed that intake of human Bifidobacterium M-63 improves bowel habits and gut environment in infants after weaning. It also suggested a reduction in cold-like symptoms in infants with relatively high infection risk. The results were published in 'Pediatric Research'.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 11, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 12, 2026 at 04:13 (16h 41m after Collected)
Morinaga Milk has been conducting basic research on Bifidobacterium, which resides in the human gut and provides various health benefits, for over 50 years. Furthermore, under a comprehensive partnership agreement*1 with Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, they have long conducted clinical research on functional ingredients, utilizing the results for public health promotion and the development of their own ingredients.
This time, through joint research*2 with Matsumoto City Hospital, it was confirmed that the intake of human Bifidobacterium M-63 has beneficial effects on bowel habits and the gut environment in infants after weaning. Furthermore, in groups with a relatively high risk of infection, it was suggested that the intake of Bifidobacterium M-63 was associated with a reduction in the number of days with cold-like symptoms. These research findings were published in the scientific journal "Pediatric Research" on April 29, 2026*3.
1. Research Background
Infancy is known as a highly variable period where physical growth and development progress remarkably, and the gut environment also rapidly changes and matures under the influence of breast milk and complementary foods. Furthermore, with the progression of weaning, health issues such as bowel problems and an increased risk of infection tend to occur.
Against this background, regulating the gut environment has attracted attention as a promising approach to these challenges. In this study, we exploratively evaluated the effects of Bifidobacterium M-63 intake on the gut environment and health status in healthy infants after weaning.
2. Research Methods
・Subjects: 100 healthy infants aged 5 months to under 3 years old.
・Study Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group comparative study.
・Test Food: Powder containing 5 billion Bifidobacterium M-63 per day, or placebo powder without Bifidobacterium M-63, continuously ingested for 8 weeks.
・Evaluation Items: Bowel movements, gut microbiota, fecal short-chain fatty acids*4, health status.
What is Bifidobacterium M-63?
It is a Bifidobacterium strain belonging to Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis (hereinafter, B. infantis), discovered in the gut of infants, and uniquely researched by our company.
B. infantis is particularly compatible with breast milk among Bifidobacterium residing in the human infant gut, and is thought to contribute to immune development and reduction of infection risk by producing beneficial metabolites in the gut. Bifidobacterium M-63 has been reported to have high utilization ability of human milk oligosaccharides contained in breast milk, and to improve the gut environment and bring beneficial effects on immune function and bowel habits when ingested early in life*5, 6. Furthermore, its high safety has been recognized internationally, including obtaining FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe)*7 in the United States and being registered as a new food ingredient*8 in China.
Bifidobacterium M-63
3. Research Results
● In the Bifidobacterium M-63 intake group, the number of days with diarrhea decreased (Figure 1) and the number of days with normal bowel movements increased (Figure 2) compared to the placebo group. These results suggest the bowel-regulating effect of Bifidobacterium M-63 on infants after weaning.
● In the analysis stratified by breast milk intake status, the proportion of B. infantis significantly increased with Bifidobacterium M-63 intake in the group that continuously consumed breast milk (Figure 3). On the other hand, in the group that did not consume breast milk, the total concentration of fecal short-chain fatty acids significantly increased (Figure 4).
● Furthermore, the results of a post-hoc exploratory analysis suggested that in groups with a relatively high risk of infection, such as "younger age" and "having siblings," Bifidobacterium M-63 intake was associated with a reduction in the number of days of antibiotic/live bacterial preparation use and the number of days with cold-like symptoms (Figure 5).
Figure 1: Number of days with diarrhea during test food intake period *Counts the number of days when the average stool consistency per day was "6 or 7" on the Bristol Stool Scale.
Figure 2: Percentage of days with normal bowel movements *Calculated as "number of days with normal bowel movements / number of days with bowel movements" every two weeks.
Figure 3: Increase in the proportion of B. infantis in the gut in the group consuming breast milk.
Figure 4: Increase in total fecal short-chain fatty acid concentration in the group not consuming breast milk (change from before test food intake).
Figure 5: Comparison of days of medication use and days with cold-like symptoms in groups with relatively high infection risk.
* p < 0.05, *** p < 0.001 indicate a statistically significant difference compared to the placebo intake group.
(† p < 0.1 indicates a significant trend.)
§ p < 0.05, §§§ p < 0.001 indicate a statistically significant difference compared to before intake.
4. Future Outlook
From these results, Bifidobacterium M-63 has been reported to be effective in infants after weaning.
This time, through joint research*2 with Matsumoto City Hospital, it was confirmed that the intake of human Bifidobacterium M-63 has beneficial effects on bowel habits and the gut environment in infants after weaning. Furthermore, in groups with a relatively high risk of infection, it was suggested that the intake of Bifidobacterium M-63 was associated with a reduction in the number of days with cold-like symptoms. These research findings were published in the scientific journal "Pediatric Research" on April 29, 2026*3.
1. Research Background
Infancy is known as a highly variable period where physical growth and development progress remarkably, and the gut environment also rapidly changes and matures under the influence of breast milk and complementary foods. Furthermore, with the progression of weaning, health issues such as bowel problems and an increased risk of infection tend to occur.
Against this background, regulating the gut environment has attracted attention as a promising approach to these challenges. In this study, we exploratively evaluated the effects of Bifidobacterium M-63 intake on the gut environment and health status in healthy infants after weaning.
2. Research Methods
・Subjects: 100 healthy infants aged 5 months to under 3 years old.
・Study Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group comparative study.
・Test Food: Powder containing 5 billion Bifidobacterium M-63 per day, or placebo powder without Bifidobacterium M-63, continuously ingested for 8 weeks.
・Evaluation Items: Bowel movements, gut microbiota, fecal short-chain fatty acids*4, health status.
What is Bifidobacterium M-63?
It is a Bifidobacterium strain belonging to Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis (hereinafter, B. infantis), discovered in the gut of infants, and uniquely researched by our company.
B. infantis is particularly compatible with breast milk among Bifidobacterium residing in the human infant gut, and is thought to contribute to immune development and reduction of infection risk by producing beneficial metabolites in the gut. Bifidobacterium M-63 has been reported to have high utilization ability of human milk oligosaccharides contained in breast milk, and to improve the gut environment and bring beneficial effects on immune function and bowel habits when ingested early in life*5, 6. Furthermore, its high safety has been recognized internationally, including obtaining FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe)*7 in the United States and being registered as a new food ingredient*8 in China.
Bifidobacterium M-63
3. Research Results
● In the Bifidobacterium M-63 intake group, the number of days with diarrhea decreased (Figure 1) and the number of days with normal bowel movements increased (Figure 2) compared to the placebo group. These results suggest the bowel-regulating effect of Bifidobacterium M-63 on infants after weaning.
● In the analysis stratified by breast milk intake status, the proportion of B. infantis significantly increased with Bifidobacterium M-63 intake in the group that continuously consumed breast milk (Figure 3). On the other hand, in the group that did not consume breast milk, the total concentration of fecal short-chain fatty acids significantly increased (Figure 4).
● Furthermore, the results of a post-hoc exploratory analysis suggested that in groups with a relatively high risk of infection, such as "younger age" and "having siblings," Bifidobacterium M-63 intake was associated with a reduction in the number of days of antibiotic/live bacterial preparation use and the number of days with cold-like symptoms (Figure 5).
Figure 1: Number of days with diarrhea during test food intake period *Counts the number of days when the average stool consistency per day was "6 or 7" on the Bristol Stool Scale.
Figure 2: Percentage of days with normal bowel movements *Calculated as "number of days with normal bowel movements / number of days with bowel movements" every two weeks.
Figure 3: Increase in the proportion of B. infantis in the gut in the group consuming breast milk.
Figure 4: Increase in total fecal short-chain fatty acid concentration in the group not consuming breast milk (change from before test food intake).
Figure 5: Comparison of days of medication use and days with cold-like symptoms in groups with relatively high infection risk.
* p < 0.05, *** p < 0.001 indicate a statistically significant difference compared to the placebo intake group.
(† p < 0.1 indicates a significant trend.)
§ p < 0.05, §§§ p < 0.001 indicate a statistically significant difference compared to before intake.
4. Future Outlook
From these results, Bifidobacterium M-63 has been reported to be effective in infants after weaning.