The best probiotics are an easy way to promote good gut health. Research has shown how beneficial the proper functioning of the gut can be for many other areas of the body too.
A healthy gut means a well-functioning digestive system, supports the immune system, produces B and K vitamins, and can help with issues such as irritable bowel syndrome. Recent studies also suggest a healthy balance of gut bacteria may have benefits for our mental well-being too.
By taking the best probiotics, you're introducing 'good' bacteria into your digestive system and promoting a diverse microbiome. There are lots of different probiotic brands and varieties available, containing an array of microbial strains with a range of extra ingredients, so it can be hard to choose the one that best fits your needs.
In this guide, we break down the most important aspects of each of the six probiotics we've picked. That includes the type and number of bacterial strains, added ingredients, and any relevant manufacturing processes. We've tried and tested them all. Our aim is that the information provided makes it easy to decide on the best probiotic for you.
Best probiotic overall
HUM Nutrition Gut Instinct contains a selection of 10 different beneficial bacterial strains, with a very high 25 billion CFU count per capsule. The daily dose is one capsule a day, taken on an empty stomach. The capsules are acid-resistant to protect the probiotics so they make it through your stomach, so they can be absorbed while in your gut.
Unlike some rivals, the capsules are fairly small and straightforward to swallow. After just a week of taking them, our tester noted that their IBS symptoms had eased, with a reduction in bloating, and their stomach cramps were less intense. Lots of online user reviews report similar improvements when using Gut Instinct. Given the number of bacterial strains and the high strength of this probiotic supplement, we consider it to be an excellent choice for gut health.
HUM Nutrition Gut Instinct comes with a premium price tag though, and is only available in a 30-day pack size.
Best budget probiotic
Bio-Kult produces great quality products backed by clinical research at a price point that's lower than much of the competition.
Each two-capsule serving of Advanced Multi-Strain Formula contains 14 strains of beneficial bacteria. They are protected from stomach acids by a cryoprotection manufacturing process, which allows them to reach the gut mostly intact. The probiotics come with a B12 vitamin boost, and the capsules don't require storing in a fridge.
Our tester found the Advanced Multi-Strain Formula probiotics were helpful in dealing with their IBS symptoms. Over the course of a month, they took two capsules a day and noticed less bloating, fewer stomach cramps, and a decline in the number of trips to the toilet. Many online user reviews have noted similar benefits.
With 4 billion microorganisms per two-capsule dose, Bio-Kult Advanced Multi-Strain Formula has a lower CFU per serving than most of its competitors. The capsules are also pretty large, so they could be a challenge to swallow for some. They also contain dairy and soy, so are unsuitable for vegans or anyone intolerant of either product.
Best probiotic for weight loss
Thorne FloraMend Prime is a probiotic specifically formulated to promote weight loss. Its primary bacterial strain is Lactobacillus gasseri, which has been shown in studies to lower body fat, BMI, and waist size.
With 5 billion microorganisms per daily capsule, the CFU count is at the lower end of the products we've tested. It's still much higher than Solgar Advanced Acidophilus Plus, but equally, way below the highest strength probiotics here that have CFUs of 25 billion.
We tried Thorne FloraMend Prime, and while our tester reported a noticeable improvement with their digestive issues, they were not able to test the probiotic long enough to see if it lived up to its weight loss claims.
The capsules are not overly large and are easy enough to swallow. They're also free from gluten, soy, and dairy, with no artificial sweeteners or colors. All Thorne supplements undergo four rounds of testing, while most competitors tend to test only once or twice. This additional testing does push the price of Thorne products up, but the extra quality assurance means you're getting an ultra-clean product.
Best probiotic for beginners
If you're new to taking probiotic supplements, it's a wise move to go for a low-dose option – just to ensure you don't have any unwanted effects. Solgar Advanced Acidophilus Plus is a great choice for first timers, or those who have experienced issues with taking probiotics before. It's also reasonably priced, so you don't have to spend a lot of money to see whether this probiotic is right for you.
It contains only two strains of beneficial bacteria, which have been chosen based on their safety record and the clinical evidence on their use. At 500 million CFUs per capsule, the number of beneficial microorganisms is relatively low (most brands measure their CFUs in billions). The capsules are also small and easy to swallow.
If you’re used to taking probiotics, you may find that this low-dose, limited-strain variety is not enough to give you the results you're after.
Solgar Advanced Acidophilus Plus does not contain any dairy, wheat, yeast, sugar, starch, artificial sweeteners, or colors.
Best all-round probiotic
If you're looking for a probiotic without a hefty price tag, that’s effective, easy to take and doesn't contain any unwanted ingredients, Now Probiotic-10 25 Billion Veg Capsules is a great choice.
As the name suggests, Now Probiotic-10 contains 10 different strains of 'good' bacteria, and has a CFU of 25 billion microorganisms (one of the highest we've tested).
We put this probiotic to the test and after two weeks of using it, our reviewer noted their IBS symptoms were significantly reduced, and their digestion had improved. They also said they felt ‘lighter’ and had less fatigue.
The small-sized capsules are easy to swallow. They are also free from gluten, dairy, soy, eggs, or nuts. Now Probiotic-10 25 Billion Veg Capsules comes in three different pack sizes: 30, 50, and 100 capsules, with a daily dose of one to two capsules a day.
The only slight issue to be aware of with this probiotic is that it needs to be taken on an empty stomach.
Best probiotic gut soothing
If you have a digestive system prone to IBS symptoms such as diarrhoea or cramping, Turmeric Vitality Bio-Fermented Turmeric is a great product for calming the gut.
A serving contains 5400mg of papaya, 1000mg of turmeric, 330mg of ginger, 250mg of black pepper, and 20mg of curcumin. All of these ingredients have gut-soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, they're also rich in antioxidants and help support the immune system. Each 15ml shot of liquid also contains 6 billion microorganisms from eight different strains.
There are two varieties of Bio-Fermented Turmeric made from real fruit extracts: Pineapple Passion and Forest Berry.
We've been successfully using Turmeric Vitality Bio-Fermented Turmeric to ease digestive issues for many months and have found it to be really effective. Turmeric and curcumin are also great for reducing inflammation after exercise and have an array of other beneficial effects. Both flavors of the liquid are delicious, but we prefer the Pineapple Passion variety.
The only downside is that the liquid is most effective when taken on an empty stomach.
How we test the best probiotics
When testing the best probiotics, we use the following criteria to assess each product.
Ingredients: When choosing the best probiotic, the specific microbial strains on the label are your most important factor. However, don't overlook the supporting ingredients, as they protect those 'good' bacteria from being wiped out by stomach acid before they reach your gut. Without the right delivery system, the desirable bacteria won't make it to your digestive tract intact.
Dosage: The strength of any probiotic largely hinges on its CFU count (Colony Forming Units), which is essentially the total number of live, active cultures you’re getting per serving. Since gut health isn't one-size-fits-all, a large dose might be ideal for some but cause issues for others. To help you find the right level for your specific wellness goals, we make sure to clearly highlight the CFU value in our reviews.
Swallow and taste: Probiotics are usually delivered through capsules, liquid supplements, and fortified foods. Our testing considers how easy the capsules are to swallow, and how the liquids taste.
Additional features: Some probiotic supplements are designed to target specific health issues. While many products contain only specific microbial strains, others may come with additional ingredients like prebiotic fibers, vitamins, minerals and plant extracts.
This article is for information purposes only and is not intended to offer medical advice. Consult a physician if you are unsure about taking probiotics.
Frequently asked questions
Which probiotic strains are best?
Probiotics usually contain bacteria from different strains and species, but the bacterial types involved can vary significantly by brand.
Each bacterial strain has its own unique properties and characteristics, so a varied selection will usually give the best gut support. Those new to probiotics or who have sensitive digestive systems may well want to opt for probiotics containing fewer strains though.
Two of the most widely used species are:
Lactobacilli: This bacterial species has been shown to have a number of beneficial effects on our bodies, the immune and cardiovascular systems in particular. They may also help with preventing vaginal infections and in alleviating the symptoms of respiratory diseases such as asthma and cystic fibrosis.
Bifidobacteria: According to a review, these helpful microorganisms can combat disease-causing bacteria, including ones that are resistant to antibiotics and other drugs.
What does CFU stand for?
CFU stands for Colony Forming Unit — the number of live microorganisms per probiotic dose. Lower-strength products will have a CFU count in the millions, but most will be in the billions.
However, products with higher CFU counts are not necessarily more effective than those with a lower CFU count.
Current labeling regulations only require manufacturers to list the total weight of the microorganisms in probiotics. This could be a combined number of both live and dead, so it may well be an unreliable indicator of the actual number of viable microorganisms.
That means it's well worth checking if the manufacturer lists how many microorganisms are viable throughout the shelf-life of the product rather than just at the time of manufacture. This will give you a much better idea of how many you'll be consuming when using the product.
What's the difference between probiotics and prebiotics?
Probiotics are the 'friendly' microorganisms that live in your gut and are beneficial to the proper functioning of your digestive system and have other positive effects in the body.
Prebiotics are foods that encourage the growth of probiotics. They come in the form of non-digestible carbohydrates that act as food for these helpful microorganisms.
Most plants contain prebiotics, but particularly rich sources are apples, oats, wheat spelt, barley, garlic, onions and leeks, artichokes, asparagus, green bananas, dates, apricots, mushrooms, chickpeas, tofu, lentils, black beans, cacao powder, flaxseed, cashews, and almonds.
Can I get probiotics from food?
Yes, you can. They occur in 'live' fermented foods such as yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut, or in drinks like kombucha and kefir. You can also find them as an added ingredient to ground seeds and nuts, in breakfast cereals, and in snacks such as gut health bars.
The best way to ensure you're getting a regular, measured dose of probiotics is by taking a supplement though.
Should I take probiotics if I have gut issues?
Our testers with IBS symptoms have reported improvements after taking probiotics on a regular basis, so with our combined experience, we're certain they can help with gut problems.
It's a good idea to start with a lower dose and a product with fewer types of bacteria though. Some probiotics also contain products such as ginger and turmeric to soothe the gut, this can also make it more tolerant of the introduction of the 'friendly' microorganisms.
Go easy to start with and see how things progress. Always check the label to see if the probiotic is best taken on an empty stomach or not.
