{"id":1666,"date":"2026-05-29T00:03:27","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T23:03:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/inform-innovation-hub\/?page_id=1666"},"modified":"2026-05-29T10:38:32","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T09:38:32","slug":"weighing-evidence-for-microbiome-targeting-functional-foods-as-interventions-for-preventing-respiratory-tract-viral-infections-and-recovery-post-infection","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/inform-innovation-hub\/funded-projects\/completed-projects\/weighing-evidence-for-microbiome-targeting-functional-foods-as-interventions-for-preventing-respiratory-tract-viral-infections-and-recovery-post-infection\/","title":{"rendered":"Impact Report  &#8211;  Weighing evidence for microbiome targeting functional foods as interventions for preventing respiratory tract viral infections and recovery post infection."},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\">Project Title:<\/span>\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>IMPACT Report:\u00a0 Weighing evidence for microbiome targeting functional foods as interventions for preventing respiratory tract viral infections and recovery post infection.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>Project Partners:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Dr Niharika Duggal, University of Birmingham (PI)<\/li>\n<li>Professor Philip Calder, University of Southampton<\/li>\n<li>Dr Jorge Gutierrez-Merino, University of Surrey<\/li>\n<li>Professor Glenn Gibson, University of Reading<\/li>\n<li>Dr Rahul Mahida, University of Birmingham<\/li>\n<li>Dr Sue Plummer, Cultech<\/li>\n<li>Dr Emily Prpa, Yakult<\/li>\n<li>Rachel Hunter, Health Economist<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>Intended Project Outcomes:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The aim of this Impact Report Award was to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of published functional foods targeting the gut microbiome, named prebiotics, probiotics, symbiotics and paraprobiotics, on the prevention and development of Respiratory tract infections (RTIs).<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>Project Objectives:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The primary objective of this project was to create a comprehensive impact document evaluating the efficacy of functional foods targeting the gut microbiome in reducing the risk, severity and consequences of respiratory tract infections (RTIs). This objective has been met to a substantial extent.<\/p>\n<p>A rigorous and systematic evaluation of the published evidence identified 84 randomised controlled trials across five databases assessing prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics and paraprobiotics. Robust meta-analytical methods were applied to quantify the impact of these interventions on clinically relevant respiratory tract infection (RTI) outcomes, including incidence, duration, severity, work and school absenteeism, GP visits, and antibiotic use. The analyses demonstrated consistent protective effects across multiple outcomes, with statistically significant reductions in RTI risk, symptom burden, and healthcare utilisation. These findings directly address the project\u2019s aim of evaluating the preventative and mitigating potential of microbiome-targeted functional foods.<\/p>\n<p>Importantly, the project moved beyond efficacy alone by critically appraising the certainty of the evidence, identifying high heterogeneity and risk of bias as key limitations. This transparent assessment strengthens the value of the impact document for decision makers by clearly outlining both benefits and evidence gaps. The identification of specific bacterial strains (e.g. Lactobacillus paracasei and Lactobacillus rhamnosus) and the influence of intervention duration further enhance the translational relevance of the findings.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt\"><a href=\"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/inform-innovation-hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/297\/2026\/05\/Flexible-Mobility-Impact-Award-PCF_Duggal.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1667 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/inform-innovation-hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/297\/2026\/05\/Flexible-Mobility-Impact-Award-PCF_Duggal-219x250.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"219\" height=\"250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/inform-innovation-hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/297\/2026\/05\/Flexible-Mobility-Impact-Award-PCF_Duggal-219x250.jpeg 219w, https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/inform-innovation-hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/297\/2026\/05\/Flexible-Mobility-Impact-Award-PCF_Duggal.jpeg 381w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 219px) 100vw, 219px\" \/><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 10pt\">Figure 1. Flowchart of the selection of the studies.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>Professional Development:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The project has been particularly beneficial for the ECR, who has significantly enhanced skills and insight into translating research outcomes into economic impact. In particular, she has been provided valuable training in health economic evaluation, an area not previously central to the ECR\u2019s research expertise.\u00a0 Whilst working in close collaboration with Rachel Hunter enabled hands-on learning in cost-effectiveness analysis, including the identification of appropriate economic endpoints, integration of clinical effectiveness data with cost parameters, and interpretation of results within an NHS decision-making framework.<\/p>\n<p>This grant gave us the unique opportunity to foster relationships between academics and industries to initiate and grow new collaborations, providing a research framework to conduct a future trial to bridge the knowledge gaps identified during the research of the document to tackle recovery from viral infections, which will be a key focus post completion of the writing.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>Project Achievements\/Outputs:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>While the final impact document is still in preparation, the core analytical work required to underpin it has been completed. The results provide a strong, evidence-based foundation to inform public health strategies, GP practice guidance and future economic evaluations. Overall, the project objectives have been largely achieved, with remaining activities focused on dissemination, stakeholder engagement and policy translation.<\/p>\n<p>The immediate next steps include completion of the cost-effectiveness evaluation, with economic modelling and effectiveness costings currently being finalised this month. These analyses will directly inform the drafting of the academic manuscript and the evidence-based impact document, which will be developed between February and March 2026. In parallel, we are designing visually appealing illustrations to enhance the clarity, accessibility and usability of the impact document for non-academic audiences.<\/p>\n<p>Dissemination activities have already begun, with early engagement across academic and professional audiences. The findings were presented at the BBSRC Innovation Showcase: Accelerating Impact in Diet and Health Conference on 28th January, providing further visibility among academic, industry and policy stakeholders.<\/p>\n<p>We will continue to work closely with the Public Affairs team at the University of Birmingham to undertake stakeholder mapping and to organise a round-table discussion with NHS and GP representatives, alongside local and regional government officials, to review the impact document and gather feedback ahead of wider dissemination.<\/p>\n<p>MAY 2025<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Project Title:\u00a0 IMPACT Report:\u00a0 Weighing evidence for microbiome targeting functional foods as interventions for preventing respiratory tract viral infections and recovery post infection. Project Partners: Dr Niharika Duggal, University of&#8230;<a class=\"read-more\" href=\"&#104;&#116;&#116;&#112;&#115;&#58;&#47;&#47;&#114;&#101;&#115;&#101;&#97;&#114;&#99;&#104;&#46;&#114;&#101;&#97;&#100;&#105;&#110;&#103;&#46;&#97;&#99;&#46;&#117;&#107;&#47;&#105;&#110;&#102;&#111;&#114;&#109;&#45;&#105;&#110;&#110;&#111;&#118;&#97;&#116;&#105;&#111;&#110;&#45;&#104;&#117;&#98;&#47;&#102;&#117;&#110;&#100;&#101;&#100;&#45;&#112;&#114;&#111;&#106;&#101;&#99;&#116;&#115;&#47;&#99;&#111;&#109;&#112;&#108;&#101;&#116;&#101;&#100;&#45;&#112;&#114;&#111;&#106;&#101;&#99;&#116;&#115;&#47;&#119;&#101;&#105;&#103;&#104;&#105;&#110;&#103;&#45;&#101;&#118;&#105;&#100;&#101;&#110;&#99;&#101;&#45;&#102;&#111;&#114;&#45;&#109;&#105;&#99;&#114;&#111;&#98;&#105;&#111;&#109;&#101;&#45;&#116;&#97;&#114;&#103;&#101;&#116;&#105;&#110;&#103;&#45;&#102;&#117;&#110;&#99;&#116;&#105;&#111;&#110;&#97;&#108;&#45;&#102;&#111;&#111;&#100;&#115;&#45;&#97;&#115;&#45;&#105;&#110;&#116;&#101;&#114;&#118;&#101;&#110;&#116;&#105;&#111;&#110;&#115;&#45;&#102;&#111;&#114;&#45;&#112;&#114;&#101;&#118;&#101;&#110;&#116;&#105;&#110;&#103;&#45;&#114;&#101;&#115;&#112;&#105;&#114;&#97;&#116;&#111;&#114;&#121;&#45;&#116;&#114;&#97;&#99;&#116;&#45;&#118;&#105;&#114;&#97;&#108;&#45;&#105;&#110;&#102;&#101;&#99;&#116;&#105;&#111;&#110;&#115;&#45;&#97;&#110;&#100;&#45;&#114;&#101;&#99;&#111;&#118;&#101;&#114;&#121;&#45;&#112;&#111;&#115;&#116;&#45;&#105;&#110;&#102;&#101;&#99;&#116;&#105;&#111;&#110;&#47;\">Read More ><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":711,"featured_media":0,"parent":1612,"menu_order":6,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"__cvm_playback_settings":[],"__cvm_video_id":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"coauthors":[13],"class_list":["post-1666","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/inform-innovation-hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1666","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/inform-innovation-hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/inform-innovation-hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/inform-innovation-hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/711"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/inform-innovation-hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1666"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/inform-innovation-hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1666\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1699,"href":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/inform-innovation-hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1666\/revisions\/1699"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/inform-innovation-hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1612"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/inform-innovation-hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1666"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/inform-innovation-hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=1666"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}