Impact of consuming a yogurt fortified with vitamins and probiotics on prevention of respiratory tract infections, gut health and microbiome: a multicenter double-blind placebo controlled randomized study

This study was conducted as prospective randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled trial in parallel groups to assess the effects of long-term consumption of a fortified fermented dairy product (FDP) on RTI parameters, gastrointestinal health, and immunity in healthy adults' population (18-50 years of age) during the period of increased incidence of disease (respiratory tract infections - cold, influenza). Microbiome data was collected for 401 volunteers. There were 3 groups: IP1 group (n=159 subjects) received placebo product (same formulation as FDP but without the probiotics and vitamin complex; blueberry fruit premix), IP2 group (n=160; FDP with strawberry fruit premix) and IP3 (n=158; FDP with multifruit fruit premix). The planned duration of the study was 98 days (84+-2 days of IP consumption and 14-days follow-up period).