A synbiotic formula marketed as DS-01 by Seed Health was found to reduce measures of bloating, gas, abdominal discomfort, bowel regularity, and digestion-related quality of life measures in healthy adults with complaints related to bloating or indigestion in a clinical study. The findings were published in Nutrients.

According to the company, the study, which enrolled 350 participants, is the largest single randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial on a synbiotic or probiotic that includes both men and women in a non-patient population. The synbiotic was taken daily for six weeks by the treatment group.

“Bloating is one of the most common and disruptive gastrointestinal complaints, yet many people quietly self-manage without ever seeing a clinician,” said Zain Kassam, MD, chief medical officer at Seed Health. “By studying DS-01 in a diverse, real-world population, we were able to show that meaningful relief is possible for otherwise healthy individuals who are often underrepresented in clinical research.”

Nearly three-quarters of participants taking the synbiotic reported bloating as never or rarely occurring by the end of the study (p<0.001). Among those with mild-to-moderate bloating at baseline, 91% reported little to no interference from bloating in daily life as early as week one.

Nearly 80% of those taking the synbiotic reported either no or slight constipation related discomfort, corresponding with improvements in stool regularity and the quality of bowel movements (p<0.05).

By the end of the study, 76% of those taking DS-01 reported that abdominal pain rarely or never occurred (p<0.01).

Participants reported less food avoidance and greater enjoyment of food (p<0.05) and fewer disruptions to daily activities due to digestive concerns (p<0.01).

In a subgroup of participants with mild, occasional baseline anxiety, 66% of those taking DS-01 reported improvement in anxiety-related feelings (p<0.05).

“This trial demonstrates that the standards of evidence typically expected in other areas of medicine can and should be applied to consumer digestive health,” said Jessica Allegretti, MD, lead author of the study and associate professor of medicine at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School. “Many people experience bloating and gastrointestinal symptoms without ever entering the healthcare system, meaning the quality of evidence behind consumer solutions becomes even more consequential.”

“These results reinforce what it means for DS-01 to lead in digestive health,” said Cathrin Bowtell, CEO of Seed Health. “Too many solutions in this category chase fast or temporary relief. Our focus has always been on addressing underlying biology, creating digestive support that lasts. That standard is core to how we build products, and to why DS-01 continues to set the bar in this space.”