Decreased number of days of fever detection and duration of fever with continuous intake of a fermented milk drink: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study ofelderly nursing home residents

摘要

We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel study to investigate the effects of a fermented milk on elderly nursing home residents. Eighty-eight participants eachdrank one bottle of fermented milk containing strain Shirota, or a placebo, on a daily basis for 6 months in winter. Peripheral blood, saliva, fecalsamples, and clinical data were analyzed to assess the milk’s efficacy. Fermented milk consumption was associated with a significant decrease in the number of days on which fever wasdetected and the mean duration of fever compared with these values in the placebo group. No significant differences were observed in other biological parameters. Continuous intake of thisfermented milk could be beneficial for the elderly in terms of suppressing the number of days of detection of fever and the duration of fever, which usually increase in winter.