Current status of probiotic and related health benefits

This review is aimed to explore the health beneficial effects of probiotics which are live microorganisms that provide a positive health influence on humans when taken in sufficient quantity. Lactic acid bacteria, bifidobacteria, and yeast are frequently used as probiotics. These health-beneficial bacteria could compete with pathogens and modulate the gut microbiota, and exhibit immunomodulatory, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, and anti-cancer activities which are discussed in this review. Moreover, recent studies showed that probiotics could neutralize COVID-19 infections. Hence, probiotics have become an alternative to several drugs including antibiotics. In addition, probiotic efficacy also depends on the…