2.2.3. Randomization and Blinding
Randomization sequences were generated using basic excel functions by two independent research assistants sequentially (i.e., one of them generated the sequences, and the other corroborated the process). Both research assistants performed the randomization allocation and prepared the materials needed by the participants. The sensorially identical (color, shape, taste) probiotic or placebo sticks were randomly added to each bag by the independent assistant in a 1:1 ratio. Each bag with a particular number (between 1 and 143) was coded with the specific product code number and each participant was assigned to a random number between 1 and 143. Unblinding was done after the first round of analysis.