Healthy gut for a healthy mind: Probi Sensia probiotic to help with mental health

04 Oct 2023 --- The Probi Sensia probiotic, soon to be released by Probi, is designed around the link between gut health and neurocognitive function. Its purpose is to enhance cognitive function, mood, sleep and stress levels.

Anita Johansen, CEO of Probi, tells Nutrition Insight, “We see that supplements targeting mental health are one of the fastest emerging health areas worldwide. This growth goes hand in hand with the scientific field, where research to strengthen mental areas, such as cognition and sleep, is rapidly increasing.”

This month, the product will be launched at the SupplySide West trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada, US.

“You can come and see the different formats we have taken forward as a first step, including the Probi Sensia probiotic strain Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Heal9 in the inner capsule,” Johansen tells us.

Nutrition and mental health
The Probi Sensia probiotic is a response to the growing interest within the scientific community to explore the connection between gut health and neurocognition. It specifically aims to boost learning and working memory, as well as mood and sleep.

“Probi’s studies in the mental health area have focused on healthy individuals – and seeing that Probi Sensia can significantly support cognitive function and at the same time promote good sleep and positive mood – that is something we don’t see in the market today.”Probi Sensia will help alleviate daily, common mental health issues by addressing gut health concerns.

Scientific studies have already established a link between nutrition and mood, with a growing body of research supporting that active ingredients can relieve depression. 

“The focus has shifted from products based on non-healthy individuals into healthy individuals and proactive solutions for everyday issues. The big difference is that Probi Sensia targets these healthy individuals, like you and me, struggling with high demands, stressful everyday lives, and perhaps too little sleep,” says Johansen. 

The new probiotic can be combined with selected vitamins, minerals or other ingredients. It also works with dietary supplement formats like capsules, stick packs and functional foods such as beverages and powder products.

Tapping into a growing market 
According to Probi, mental health supplements have emerged as the fastest-growing benefit within the global dietary supplements market.

Innova Market Insights data released in 2022 reveals a 30% growth in probiotic launches in the brain-mood health category between 2017 and 2021.

“The consumer needs drive both market demand and research topics and with the increasing demand on everyday performance and excellence, consumers are interested in supplements that can help them always perform at their best capabilities,” says Johansen.

In 2022, a Fonterra Caravan survey of more than 1,000 US adults found that 37% struggle with stress and their mood.

“We believe products such as Probi Sensia will offer a natural solution.”

By Milana Nikolova