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Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
B. lactis (BB-12 / HN019) vs PHGG: PHGG has the stronger overall evidence (6 vs 6/10); they're alternatives for improve digestion — the best pick depends on your goals. Take the 60-second quiz for a pick tailored to your goals.
PHGG wins 1 of 3 categories. Both are solid choices — the best pick depends on your specific goals.
Verdict
Too few graded studies
Top outcomes
Verdict
Too few graded studies
Top outcomes
Shared outcomes (1)
Outcomes where both B. lactis (BB-12 / HN019) and PHGG have evidence — compare verdict strength side-by-side.
1-10 billion CFU daily for BB-12 (1 billion is enough); 10-20 billion CFU daily for HN019 if transit is the goal
Any time of day
Capsule or sachet standardized to a named strain (BB-12 or HN019)
5-6g daily
With meals, Can be added to drinks or food
PHGG powder (Sunfiber is common brand)
2 weeks
4 weeks
n/a
n/a
1-2 weeks
2-4 weeks
2-4 weeks
Dose-response effect of Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 on whole gut transit time and functional gastrointestinal symptoms in adults.
Scand J Gastroenterol (2011) · Rct · n=100
Whole-gut transit fell 49 to 21 hours on high dose (p<0.001) and 60 to 41 hours on low dose (p=0.01); placebo unchanged
Eight-Week Supplementation With Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 and Functional Constipation: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
JAMA Netw Open (2024) · Rct · n=229
Primary outcome (change in complete spontaneous bowel movements per week): +0.80 with HN019 vs +0.66 placebo — no difference
Effects of 28-day Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 supplementation on colonic transit time and gastrointestinal symptoms in adults with functional constipation: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, and dose-ranging trial.
Gut Microbes (2018) · Rct · n=228
No significant differences vs placebo in the primary outcome (colonic transit time) or any secondary outcome
Effectiveness of Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum on Cognitive Function and Sleep Efficiency in Healthy Elderly Subjects in a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, and Parallel-Group Study
Nutrients (2024) · Rct
The visual memory scores in cognitive function tests and sleepiness on rising scores related to sleep quality were significantly improved in the PHGG group compared to the placebo group.
Continuous partially hydrolyzed guar gum intake reduces cold-like symptoms: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial in healthy adults
European review for medical and pharmacological sciences (2022) · Rct · n=96
Double-blind RCT in 96 healthy Japanese adults given 5.2 g PHGG or placebo daily for 12 weeks.
Prebiotic Effects of Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum on the Composition and Function of the Human Microbiota-Results from the PAGODA Trial
Nutrients (2020) · Open label · n=20
To gain functional insight, we further studied stool metabolites using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. (3) Results: In healthy subjects, PHGG had significant effects on stool frequency and consistency.
Both points come from one multicentre open trial in IBS patients that gave 5 g a day (46 patients) or 10 g a day (40 patients) for 12 weeks (PMID 15986863). Symptoms and quality of life improved from baseline in both groups, with no better result reported at 10 g, and the gain faded by the 6-month follow-up. The trial had no placebo group, so the size of the effect over placebo is unknown. Lower and higher doses were not tested, so no optimal dose or safety ceiling can be read from it.
AI-estimated from published studies. Interpret as directional guidance.
PHGG has a higher evidence score (6/10 vs 6/10) and wins in 1 of 3 categories.
For improve digestion, PHGG has a higher relevance score (87 vs 68).
No documented interaction was found in the data searched. This does not establish that this exact combination is safe.
The right pick depends on your goals. Answer a few quick questions for a personalised recommendation — or dig into the full evidence on each.