10 best probiotics for gut health, plus expert opinion & reviews

Publish date: 2024-08-18

Discover the top probiotic supplements for women, plus expert tips on probiotic food, IBD and bloating

Probiotics is a word thrown around about a lot of things. There's probiotics yoghurts, drinks, even skincare, and for many, probiotics are credited for doing one thing - improving your gut health. And if there's something we've learned over the years, it's that your gut health as a lot to answer for. From improving mental clarity and strengthening your immunity, it all starts in the gut, according to experts. And probiotics for gut health are one of the must-have supplements for women, men and kids too.

Best probiotics at a glance

  • Holland & Barrett Live Friendly Bacteria with Acidophilus, £8.99
  • Symprove Daily Essential, from £39.99
  • Opti-Bac Probiotics, £25.50
  • JSHealth Probiotic+, £19.99 / $34.99
  • The Nue Co.Probiotic + Prebiotic, £53 / $43

    • Wondering what exactly probiotics are? Probiotics are a live bacteria or yeast that lives in and on the body and promotes tons of benefits, but there are factors which can destroy our natural probiotics - hence why probiotic supplements are necessary to give our bodies, and gut, that needed boost to function at optimum level.

    According to the NHS website, probiotics can "help restore the natural balance of bacteria in your gut (including your stomach and intestines) when it's been disrupted by an illness or treatment". 

    Probiotics - the expert opinion

    What are probiotics?

    According to dietician at Symprove, Dr Sammie Gill, has explained probiotics are a form of supplement, which contain live microbes and provide various health benefits. 

    Dr. Gill told HELLO!: "Probiotics are live microbes that when consumed, support the gut microbiome and offer health benefits. "They are often packaged as supplements, in liquid, powder or tablet form. While probiotics come in different forms, they also come in different strains and strengths too. Importantly, not all probiotics are equal and different strains do different things."

    What are the benefits of probiotics?

    There are multiple benefits to probiotics, from supporting your immune system, to gut health, and other health benefits. In recent months there has been growing conversations around gut health and your skin, as a bad diet or intolerances, as well as hormone imbalance, can sometimes show in the form of breakouts on the skin. 

    Speaking about the pros of probiotics, Dr. Gill said: "Probiotics can work in several ways when they reach the gut – for example, release of beneficial molecules (such as short-chain fatty acids), supporting the immune system (of which 70% sits along the gut), helping to weed out potentially harmful microbes and improving the gut lining.

    Dr. Gill added: "There is good evidence for taking probiotics in certain scenarios, so it’s important to take a prescriptive approach. If you’re considering taking a probiotic, do your homework and choose one that is evidence-based."

    How do probiotics improve gut health?

    The main benefits of probiotics work to target gut health, which can speed up metabolism, calm inflamed gut that could leave you bloated and constipated. 

    Dr. Gill explained: "Currently, much of the research on probiotics lies in gut disorders, such as IBS. Although research is limited to date, people will often choose to take a probiotic as a type of 'insurance policy', almost as a preventative measure to support gut health."

    Dr. Gill recommends following a plant based diet when taking the supplement. "For general gut health, there are other many things we can do. Work from the inside out is my advice – our gut health is central to overall health so target the gut microbiome with a nutrient-dense plant-based diet. Variety is key - a hallmark feature of a healthy gut microbiome is diversity. Focus on wholegrains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans and legumes.

    "But, it’s not just diet, there are other key things we should be paying attention to. For example, sleep. It is underrated but so important. Driven by our internal body clock, our gut microbes have their own circadian rhythm, and this changes the shape of the microbial landscape over a 24-hour period.

    "Therefore, it’s key to prioritise quality and quantity of sleep – aim for 7-9 hours per night, keep timings consistent, limit screen time in the few hours before bed and keep the room cool at night to mimic the drop in body temperature. Also, if you’re feeling mentally stressed, the gut will feel physically stressed and this can manifest as gut symptoms. This is because the gut and brain are intrinsically connected (labelled the ‘gut-brain axis’)."

    Certain foods contain probiotics, but for those looking for another alternative, there are plenty of supplements to shop online. We have all the details on probiotics, from what they are, their health benefits, as well as the best forms to consume probiotics.

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