Our latest study published on Nutrients found positive trend improvements in happiness and stress after supplementation of Nutiani HN001^TM, with significant difference noted in males.

These findings, while preliminary, suggest Nutiani HN001™ Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus holds promise for enhancing mental wellbeing¹.
 

In an era of ongoing uncertainties, prioritizing mental health has become more critical than ever. According to our proprietary research, 90% of global consumers consider mental wellbeing essential². Over the last two years, nearly 60% have sought to enhance their mental health, with 70% turning to dietary changes to improve their mood³.

These shifts align with the growing body of research the role of the gut microbiome in brain health and mental wellbeing⁴. For years, scientists have examined the link between the gut microbiome and mental health. The "gut-brain axis" refers to the two-way communication between the gut and the brain, where a balanced gut microbiota can influence mood, stress, and cognitive functions.

This connection has spurred interest in the potential of probiotics to improve mental wellbeing by promoting a balanced and healthy gut microbiota. This is an area Nutiani has been actively exploring through our research. Project Happy, first conducted in 2022 in partnership with Sun Genomics, creator of Floré, tested the Nutiani HN001™ strain with 52 Floré customers to determine if there were any significant improvements in mental wellness and happiness. With promising results showing that participants felt happier after taking the probiotics, our team of researchers at Fonterra decided to delve deeper into the space.
 

The Study: Testing Nutiani HN001™ for Happiness and Stress Reduction

Fonterra’s research team, led by Dr. Imad and Dr. Fuad, conducted a clinical trial to test the hypothesis that Nutiani HN001™ can increase happiness and reduce perceived stress over 4-week duration.

This double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involved 120 participants aged 18 years and above with mild to high stress levels, as measured by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Participants were randomly assigned to receive either 6 billion CFU of  Nutiani HN001™ or a placebo (Maltodextrin) daily for four weeks.

Psychological assessments, including the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ), were completed at baseline, day 14, and day 28. 
 

Key Findings: Promising Results for Mental Wellbeing

The study found that while there was a positive impact on feelings of happiness, stress, anxiety, and depression when Nutiani HN001^TM was consumed over a four-week period, the differences were not statistically significant compared to the control group.

However, further analysis revealed significant improvements in both total happiness scores and perceived stress levels over time for men.

The female subgroup showed a similar positive trend, although these did not reach statistical significance. Dr Imad and Dr Fuad hypothesized that gender differences may be partly due to participants’ age ranges. Most of the female participants were in the premenopausal and menopausal age range, a period which other studies suggest women are less susceptible to mood and mental health changes after an intervention⁵ ⁶ ⁷.

These positive, but varying gender findings highlight the need for larger and longer intervention studies to further  explore gender-specific responses and how different populations may benefit from the probiotic's mood-enhancing properties. 
 

Discover the Benefits of Nutiani HN001™

Nutiani HN001™ is not just a probiotic for mental wellbeing—it also supports immune function, women’s health including postnatal mental wellbeing, and even childhood allergies. Its versatility makes it a valuable ingredient for food, beverage, and supplement manufacturers focused on wellness solutions.

To discover Nutiani HN001™ and the benefits this unique ingredient offers, download our product summary, or sign up to receive our monthly insights newsletter.