Bifidobacterium adolescentis has antiviral anticancer activity (2012) and is used in probiotics and "therapeutic milk", often mixed with Streptococcus thermophilus. It synthesizes various B vitamins including thiamin (B1), pyridoxine (B6), folic acid (B9), nicotine, cyanocobalamin (B12), ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), biotin, and riboflavin.
Dietary consumption of selected bifidobacteria strains, especially B. adolescentis, in a yogurt-based diet may offer benefit to elderly individuals to prevent some of the harmful effects of immunosenescence (El Bakry, 2013).
B. adolescentis could decrease immunity to opportunistic pathogens such as Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, the second most common infectious anaerobic gram-negative bacteria, frequently associated with peritonitis, septicemia, and wound infections.