How to reduce the incidence of travel-related diarrhea:
Strain | Lactobacillus rhamnosus, LGG® 1,2 |
Potency | 2 billion CFU/day1,2 |
Duration | 2 days prior to departure and during travel1,2 |
How to reduce the incidence of travel-related diarrhea:
Strain | BB-12® + LA-5® + STY-31TM + LBY-27TM 3,4 |
Potency | 3 billion CFU, 3 times a day3,4 |
Duration | 2 days prior to departure ad during travel3,4 |
Unfortunately, travel and exotic holidays sometimes come hand-in-hand with consumption of contaminated food and drinking water.5 Reasons include exposure to climates and sanitary practices that are different to what we are more accustomed.5 Food and water contamination can occur anywhere in the world, but the regions that carry the greatest risk include the Middle East, Africa, Mexico, Central and South America, and Asia (excluding Japan and South Korea).6 In high-risk countries, the incidence of traveler’s diarrhea can be as high as 50%.7, 8
Consumption of contaminated products can cause traveler’s diarrhea, a digestive tract disorder that commonly causes loose stools and abdominal cramps.
Traveler’s diarrhea is usually acquired by consuming food that has been contaminated by feces containing different types of pathogens; the bacterial pathogen Escherichia coli is a common culprit.9 These infectious organisms colonize the small and/or large intestine. Most of them produce toxins that increase the flow of water and electrolytes into the bowel.9 A fluid imbalance can cause large and uncomfortable increases in stool production.9
There is increasing evidence suggesting probiotics may help improve gastrointestinal health.1, 2, 3, 4, 13 A meta-analysis concluded probiotics may help to reduce the risk of traveler’s diarrhea.13 As with all probiotic strains, it is crucial to choose a probiotic strain that has been investigated in clinical studies and in the relevant therapy area.
Read more about choosing a probiotic strain.
A clinical study investigated the impact of consuming the LGG® strain at a potency of 2 billion CFU/day on the incidence of traveler’s diarrhea. The study was conducted in healthy adults who traveled to Asia, Africa, and central and south America. The intervention started 2 days prior to departure and ended on the last day of the trip.2 n=126 received the LGG® strain and n=119 received placebo. Just 3.9% of the intervention group experienced traveler’s diarrhea, compared to 7.4% of the placebo group.2
Reducing the incidence of traveler’s diarrhea by consuming the LGG® strain is supported in other research. In a clinical study of 756 participants who traveled to Turkey, the incidence of traveler’s diarrhea was significantly reduced in the LGG® group compared to the placebo group.1
CFU: Colony Forming Unit
BB-12®, LA-5®, STY-31™ and LBY-27™ are trademarks of Chr. Hansen A/S.
The article is provided for informational purposes regarding probiotics and is not meant to suggest that any substance referenced in the article is intended to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent any disease
Lactobacillus rhamnosus, LGG® is the world’s most documented probiotic strain. The LGG® strain has proven benefits across all ages and numerous health areas, including gastrointestinal, immune and oral health.
LGG® is a registered trademark of Chr. Hansen A/S
The probiotic strain Bifidobacterium, BB-12® is the world’s most documented probiotic bifidobacterium. It has been extensively studied and has been associated with improved outcomes across various health areas.
BB-12® is a trademark of Chr. Hansen A/S
The probiotic strain Lactobacillus acidophilus, LA-5® has demonstrated benefits, for example, in gastrointestinal health when used in combination with Bifidobacterium, BB-12®.
LA-5® and BB-12® are trademarks of Chr. Hansen A/S
1. Oksanen PJ, et al. Prevention of travellers' diarrhoea by Lactobacillus GG. Ann Med. 1990;22(1):53-6. (PubMed)
2. Hilton E, et al. Efficacy of Lactobacillus GG as a Diarrheal Preventive in Travelers. J Travel Med. 1997;4(1):41-3. (PubMed)
3. Black FT, et al. Prophylactic Efficacy of Lactobacilli on Traveler’s Diarrhea. In: Steffen R, et al., editors. Travel Medicine: Proceedings of the First Conference on International Travel Medicine, Zürich, Switzerland, 5–8 April 1988. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg; 1989. p. 333-5. (Source)
4. Black FT, et al. Report from a placebo-controlled double-blind trial of 4 lactobacilli strains (HIP) used as a prophylactic agent against traveller's diarrhoea. 1988. Unpublished data.
5. Mayo Clinic. Traveler's diarrhea. Updated. (Source) Accessed 12th June 2020.
6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Travelers Health. Updated. (Source) Accessed 12th June 2020.
7. Steffen R, et al. Traveler's diarrhea: a clinical review. JAMA. 2015;313(1):71-80. (PubMed)
8. Steffen R, et al. Epidemiology of travelers' diarrhea: details of a global survey. J Travel Med. 2004;11(4):231-7. (PubMed)
9. Leung AKC, et al. Travelers' Diarrhea: A Clinical Review. Recent Pat Inflamm Allergy Drug Discov. 2019;13(1):38-48. (PubMed)
10. Al-Abri SS, et al. Traveller's diarrhoea. Lancet Infect Dis. 2005;5(6):349-60. (PubMed)
11. Leggat PA, Goldsmid JM. Travellers' diarrhoea: health advice for travellers. Travel Med Infect Dis. 2004;2(1):17-22. (PubMed)
12. Ericsson CD. Travellers' diarrhoea. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2003;21(2):116-24. (PubMed)
13. Bae JM. Prophylactic efficacy of probiotics on travelers' diarrhea: an adaptive meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Epidemiol Health. 2018;40:e2018043. (PubMed)
Learn more about what probiotics are and how they can benefit your health
Learn how to review the evidence when considering probiotic strains and effects
Read more about some of the world’s most documented probiotic strains and their diverse, beneficial health effects