Researchers tested whether pasta made with special bacteria could help overweight adults improve their cholesterol and digestive health. For 4 weeks, 40 people either ate regular pasta or pasta containing beneficial bacteria called Shouchella clausii. The group eating the special bacteria pasta saw their good cholesterol increase by 11% and their gut lining became healthier. Interestingly, only about half the people’s bodies actually accepted the bacteria, and those people lost a bit of weight and saw bigger improvements in their cholesterol levels. This suggests that the special pasta might help some people more than others, depending on what bacteria they already have in their gut.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Does eating pasta with added beneficial bacteria help overweight adults improve their cholesterol levels and gut health?
  • Who participated: 40 adults (17 women and 23 men) who were overweight or obese, averaged 35 years old, and regularly ate pasta
  • Key finding: People who ate the special bacteria pasta increased their good cholesterol by 11% and improved their gut lining health. About half the participants’ bodies successfully took in the bacteria, and those people also lost weight and improved their cholesterol ratios even more.
  • What it means for you: This special pasta may help improve cholesterol and gut health, but it appears to work better for some people than others based on their existing gut bacteria. More research is needed before making it a regular part of your diet, especially if you have health concerns.

The Research Details

This was a randomized controlled trial, which is one of the strongest types of nutrition studies. Researchers took 40 people and randomly split them into two groups. One group ate 80 grams (about 3 ounces) of pasta containing beneficial bacteria called Shouchella clausii every day for 4 weeks, while the other group ate regular pasta. Everyone kept eating their normal diet otherwise—the only change was swapping their usual pasta for the test pasta.

The researchers collected blood, urine, and poop samples at the start and after 4 weeks to measure changes in cholesterol, blood pressure, and the types of bacteria living in their guts. They also looked at which people’s bodies actually accepted the new bacteria and which didn’t.

This study design is important because it compares the special pasta directly against regular pasta in the same group of people. By randomly assigning people to each group, researchers can be more confident that any differences they see are from the pasta and not from other factors. The 4-week timeframe is long enough to see real changes in cholesterol and gut bacteria, but short enough that people can stick with the study.

This is a solid study because it’s a randomized controlled trial with a comparison group. However, 40 people is a relatively small sample size, so the results might not apply to everyone. The study only lasted 4 weeks, so we don’t know if the benefits continue longer. The researchers measured actual biological markers (cholesterol, bacteria levels) rather than just asking people how they felt, which makes the results more reliable. One interesting finding is that the bacteria only colonized (took hold) in about half the participants, which shows that individual differences matter.

What the Results Show

People who ate the special bacteria pasta saw their HDL cholesterol (the ‘good’ cholesterol that protects your heart) increase by 11% compared to their starting levels. They also showed improved gut permeability, which means their intestinal lining became healthier and less leaky.

However, the most interesting finding was that only about half the people who ate the special pasta actually developed more of the beneficial bacteria in their guts. Researchers called these people ‘responders.’ The responders experienced even better results: they lost about 1% of their body weight, their diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) dropped by 6%, and their LDL-to-HDL cholesterol ratio improved by 17%. This ratio is important because it shows the balance between bad and good cholesterol.

The responders also developed more of another helpful bacteria called Akkermansia muciniphila, which is known to support gut health. At the same time, they had less of some bacteria that may be less beneficial. The people whose bodies didn’t accept the new bacteria (non-responders) didn’t see these same improvements.

The study found that people’s baseline gut bacteria—the bacteria they already had before eating the special pasta—predicted whether they would become responders. This means your existing gut health influences whether this type of probiotic pasta will work well for you. The improvements in cholesterol appeared to be connected to better gut barrier function, suggesting the bacteria work by strengthening your intestinal lining rather than through some other mechanism.

This research builds on previous studies showing that probiotics can help with cholesterol and gut health. What’s new here is testing probiotics in pasta form and discovering that individual differences in gut bacteria matter a lot. Previous research suggested probiotics help, but this study shows that not everyone benefits equally, which is an important finding that earlier studies didn’t emphasize as much.

The study only included 40 people, which is a small number, so results might not apply to everyone. It only lasted 4 weeks, so we don’t know if benefits continue or grow over months or years. The study didn’t include a placebo group (a fake pasta that looked the same but had no bacteria), though it did have a regular pasta control group. We also don’t know if the results would be the same for people of different ages, weights, or health conditions. Finally, the study didn’t track whether people stuck with eating the pasta or if they had any side effects over time.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, probiotic pasta may help improve cholesterol and gut health, but the evidence is still developing. If you’re overweight or have cholesterol concerns, this could be worth trying as part of a healthy diet, but it shouldn’t replace other proven approaches like exercise and eating more vegetables. Talk to your doctor before making changes, especially if you take medications or have digestive issues. The confidence level is moderate—this is promising research, but we need larger, longer studies to be sure.

This research is most relevant for overweight or obese adults who regularly eat pasta and want to improve their cholesterol. It may be less relevant for people with normal weight or those who don’t eat much pasta. People with certain digestive conditions should check with their doctor before trying probiotic products. The fact that only half the participants benefited suggests you might want to give it a fair trial (at least a few weeks) to see if you’re a ‘responder.’

Based on this study, you might see changes in cholesterol within 4 weeks, though the study only measured at that point. Weight loss and blood pressure improvements appeared in the responders within 4 weeks, but they were modest (1% weight loss). Real-world benefits might take longer to notice, and you should expect gradual changes rather than dramatic improvements.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily pasta consumption (grams eaten) and measure cholesterol levels every 4 weeks if possible. Also note any changes in digestion, energy levels, or bloating. Record weight and blood pressure weekly if you have a home monitor.
  • Replace your regular pasta with probiotic pasta in one meal per day (about 80 grams or 3 ounces). Start with this amount rather than trying to eat it at every meal, which makes it easier to stick with and matches what the study tested.
  • Track your pasta swaps for consistency, monitor your cholesterol through regular blood tests (every 4-8 weeks if possible), and keep notes on how your digestion feels. After 4-6 weeks, assess whether you notice improvements in energy, digestion, or weight. If you don’t see benefits after 8 weeks, it may mean you’re a ’non-responder’ and this product might not work as well for you.

This research is promising but preliminary. Probiotic pasta should not replace medical treatment for high cholesterol or other health conditions. If you have high cholesterol, take cholesterol medications, have digestive disorders, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your doctor before significantly changing your diet or trying new probiotic products. Individual results vary, and this study only included 40 people over 4 weeks. Always talk to a healthcare provider before making major dietary changes, especially if you have existing health conditions.