A helpful bacterium that has shown promise for helping people with digestive problems benefits the whole body, according to new research.

Feature: Beneficial Bacteria

Lead researcher Dr. Liam O'Mahony said that Bifidobacterium infantis may moderate the body's response to invaders. The response is generally good, but it can also cause inflammation and problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis, colitis and type I diabetes.

In the study, mice were given B. infantis three weeks before being infected with salmonella. Those that got the probiotic had more immune cells to control the response, according to a news release about the work.

The report was published in the August issue of the Public Library of Science Pathogens.