Best probiotic: Support your gut health and reduce bloating

You've probably seen lots of people singing the praises of the best probiotic, but how can you tell which supplements are worth your buck? With so many different options on the market, finding a product that is perfectly aligned with your needs and preferences may be a time-consuming venture. To save you the hassle, the Live Science team has tested numerous probiotic supplements to give you all the information you may need. 

Probiotics contain live strains of ‘good’ bacteria, which may not only be essential to our gut health, but also to the proper functioning of our whole body, including our immune system, skin and vaginal health for women. Probiotics may have the power to reduce inflammation within the body, aid in weight loss and even improve our mental health. 

With all these fantastic benefits, it can be difficult to separate the good probiotics from the brands that don't quite cut it, leaving customers confused and overwhelmed. Probiotics come in various different forms and often target different issues (you can buy probiotics specifically for bloating, probiotics for men or probiotics for women) so it can be difficult to know what to buy. Many also contain a variety of microbial strains and a range of additional ingredients, making it hard to narrow down the ones that will suit you needs.

To help you choose the best probiotic for you, the Live Science team has created a complete guide to these gut health supplements. Here, we’ve covered the important aspects you'll want to consider, including type and number of bacterial strains, form, and manufacturing processes. And to give you the most thorough reviews, we have personally tried and tested every product in this guide. Read on to see our round-up.

The best probiotic we've tested

If you’re after a premium dietary supplement, HUM Nutrition should definitely land on your radar. This brand is well known for its high quality products validated through extensive clinical research. What’s more, this brand is heavily involved in reducing plastic pollution, making their products more environmentally-friendly. HUM Nutrition supplements do not contain any GMOs or artificial sweeteners or colorants, and are free from wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nuts and peanuts. As a result, its probiotics may be perfect for those struggling with food allergies and sensitivities. 

HUM Nutrition Gut Instinct contains a great selection of 10 different beneficial bacterial strains, and provides an impressive 25 billion CFU per single serving. Its formula is also acid-resistant. Capsules are relatively small and easy to swallow, and they leave no aftertaste. After only a week of supplementation, our tester experienced a significant improvement in their IBS symptoms; they reported feeling less bloated, and their stomach cramps were not as intense. Many online user reviews reported similar positive experiences. Given the versatility and strength of this probiotic supplement, it can be considered a great gut health all-rounder. 

On the other hand, this premium quality comes with a higher price tag, and there’s only one pack size available. The capsules need to be taken on an empty stomach, which may not suit certain individuals. 

When it comes to affordable probiotic supplements, it’s hard to find a bigger household name than Bio-Kult. Despite being much cheaper than most of its competitors, Bio-Kult produces great quality products backed by clinical research. The brand boasts great green credentials too. Its manufacturing site runs entirely on renewable energy and produces no landfill waste. 

Bio-Kult probiotics do not need to be refrigerated and can be consumed by those allergic to eggs and gluten. Each serving contains a whooping 14 strains of ‘good’ bacteria, which are cryoprotected during the freeze drying process. This manufacturing technique protects the microbes from stomach acids and allows them to reach the gut largely intact. Handy for those following a vegan diet, these probiotics are enriched with B12 vitamin and come in three different pack sizes. 

While supplements will work differently for everyone, our tester found Bio-Kult probiotics effective at managing their IBS symptoms. They took two capsules a day with breakfast for a month and experienced a notable decrease in bloating and stomach cramps, as well as needing fewer trips to the toilet. Many online user reviews report similar improvements, particularly in relation to gut motility and reactivity.    

So what are the cons? Bio-Kult probiotics have a lower CFU per serving than most of their competitors — 2 billion. What’s more, their capsules are quite large, which may make them hard to swallow for certain individuals. They’re also not suitable for people allergic to dairy and soy.     

If you have never tried probiotics before, or struggle with certain medical conditions, it’s understandable that you may want to take it easy to begin with. Many probiotic supplements on the market boast high strength and diversity in their beneficial bacteria — but that does not necessarily mean that they’re a good choice for beginners, or those with highly sensitive gastrointestinal tracts. So if you’re looking for the best starter probiotics that don’t cost the earth, Solgar Advanced Acidophilus may prove a great option.

To start with, it’s produced by Solgar — one of the most well-known and universally respected supplement brands. All of its products are backed by years of clinical research and third party certificates. What’s more, this company achieved full Carbon Neutral status in 2010 and continuously invests in a host of sustainable projects. Therefore you can be assured of their green credentials. 

Secondly, it contains only two strains of beneficial bacteria, carefully selected based on their safety record and the strength of clinical evidence behind them. The CFU strength is also relatively low. What’s more, we found the capsules small and easy to swallow. Solgar Advanced Acidophilus + are also free from dairy, wheat, yeast, sugars, starch, artificial sweeteners and colors. As such, this product could be a perfect introduction to the world of beneficial bacteria — without a hefty price tag. 

However, if you’re a probiotic veteran or you’re recovering from antibiotics, this supplement may not be strong enough to produce desired results. Solgar Advanced Acidophilus + do not contain any additional ingredients either.

Thorne dietary supplements may not be the most affordable, but you can be assured of its superb quality, validated by extensive clinical research. Independently certified by Current Good Manufacturing Practices, NSF and TGA, Thorne prides itself on delivering clean, highly absorbable and effective products. All of its supplements undergo four rounds of testing, when most competitors tend to test only once and twice. 

What’s more, this brand is a real champion for green causes. Thorne is actively working on reducing their carbon footprint and reliance on plastic, as well as protecting endangered botanical resources.  

Its flagship probiotic supplement — Thorne FloraMend Prime — has been specifically designed to support weight loss. According to the International Journal of Obesity, many Lactobacillus strains may indeed help you shed stubborn pounds. Lactobacillus gasseri, the main bacterial strain in Thorne FloraMend Prime, has been particularly shown to lower body fat, BMI and waistline, as evidenced in trials published in The British Journal of Nutrition and European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. We were not able to test this product long enough to be able to comment on whether it lives up to its weight loss claims. Still, it only took a week of Thorne FloraMend Prime supplementation for our tester to notice a marked difference in their digestive symptoms. 

What’s more, the capsules are easy to swallow and leave no aftertaste. They are also free from gluten, soy, dairy, and contain no artificial sweeteners or colors. As mentioned before, the only problem may be the hefty price tag.  

If you’re after a simple all-rounder, that’s affordable, effective, user-friendly and free from any unwanted ingredients, look no further than NOW Probiotic-10™ 25 Billion Veg Capsules.

First and foremost, NOW is a well-established and universally acclaimed dietary supplement company that takes great care in ensuring good value without compromising on quality. All of its products are sustainably produced, third party certified, and backed by clinical research. What’s more, they can suit even the most stretched-out budgets.  

Secondly, NOW Probiotic-10™ contains a great selection of beneficial bacterial strains, and provides a relatively high CFU. The capsules are small and easy to swallow, and contain no gluten, dairy, soy, eggs and nuts. This supplement is also vegan-friendly, and comes in three different pack sizes. 

But most importantly, we believe NOW Probiotic-10™ lives up to its marketing claims. After two weeks taking this supplement, our tester found their IBS symptoms had visibly reduced, and they experienced a marked improvement to their digestion. They also reported feeling ‘lighter’ and less lethargic. 

The downsides? The capsules need to be taken between meals, or on an empty stomach. They also don’t contain any additional ingredients.

Symprove is a water-based probiotic supplement that needs to be kept refrigerated. This approach allows the bacteria to reach the gut largely intact, as liquid formulations do not trigger digestive processes the way solid supplements may do. Symprove contains four strains of bacteria independently verified by the NCIMB, so you can be assured that this supplement is of good quality. 

Whereas Lactobacillus strains are widely regarded as beneficial for our health, the addition of Enterococcus faecium may understandably raise some eyebrows. Enterococci are known for causing severe bloodstream and heart infections. But there’s no need to panic. As reported in the International Journal of Food Biology, some E. faecium strains are safe and can be used as probiotics to treat diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome and high cholesterol levels.  

What’s more, Symprove is also enriched with vitamin C and prebiotic germinated barley. According to the Journal of Gastroenterology, germinated barley contains compounds that may help with inflammatory diseases like ulcerative colitis. Symprove supplements are also vegan-friendly and free from gluten and dairy.

The biggest downside is the price. Having to fork out nearly $60 every month may not be feasible for those on tighter budgets (although you can save 1/3 by buying a 12-week supply instead). The specific taste of Symprove's products may not be up to everyone’s liking, as it can be quite sour. Having said this, we've tried both the Strawberry & Raspberry and Mango and Passion Fruit flavors for a month each, and really enjoyed them. Our tester also experienced a noticeable reduction in bloating when taking Symprove daily, and enjoyed the routine of taking a liquid supplement before breakfast.

Wild Dose offers a solution to bloating, containing lactobacillus acidophilus and three strains of bifido bifidum (1 billion CFU), six digestive enzymes and seven plant extracts. The recommend dosage is to take one or two capsules as and when you need them, with an upper limit of six a day. Take before a meal to pre-emptively stop bloating and gas, or to relieve these symptoms later in the day if you need.

Wild Dose prides itself on being built for those with sensitive digestive systems and are suitable for those with IBS who may react to ingredients in other probiotic supplements. These capsules are gluten free and suitable for vegetarians and vegans, meaning whatever your dietary requirements, they should be safe for you to take. 

The probiotics come in a 20 capsule blister pack, which is great if you just want to try them out, or a 60 capsule bottle, which provides a months' supply if you are taking two a day. The capsules themselves are coated, making them easy to swallow. They have a slightly gingery, turmeric smell to them, which actually isn't unpleasant, and you can't really taste this either.

Wild Dose is also a good choice for those who are environmentally conscious, as the blister packs is recyclable in certain stores. The company is also working to ensure new blister packs are made from biodegradable material. While the company is based in the United Kingdom, it ships globally to the U.S. The blister pack retails at $12, and the bottle at $31, making this one of our best mid-range options.

Kim Plaza , BSc, MSc

Kim Plaza is a registered nutritional therapist with a Bachelor of Science (with honors) degree in Health and Nutrition, and a Masters degree in Nutritional Therapy. She is registered with BANT and the CHNC in the U.K.