Best probiotics in the UK reviewed
Here we will give a hands-on, tested review of the UK’s best and most popular probiotics, including supplements from YourBiology, Symprove, Bio-Kult, Optibac, Nutravita, Vitabright, Now and Microbz.
We’ll look into the contents, benefits and value of each probiotic supplement and see where each stands above the competition.
Please note this article contains affiliate links.
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are live microorganisms, such as bacteria or yeast, that provide health benefits to us. They are a specific type of live culture.
To be considered a probiotic, these microorganisms need to have been proven to be sufficiently beneficial to our health - so not all live bacteria or yeasts are considered probiotic. And sometimes they fall into a grey area where there is limited evidence that they are probiotic.
Common probiotic strains include:
Lactobacillus: Found in yogurt, kefir and fermented foods
Bifidobacterium: Found in some dairy products and supplements
Bacillus: Found in certain probiotic supplements and foods. Especially common in commercial kombuchas
Saccharomyces boulardii: A beneficial yeast used in some supplements
Probiotics are available in various forms - usually in fermented food and drinks or as a supplement like the products reviewed here.
Combining probiotics with a good diet
It’s important that recognise the limitations of probiotics and to not expect them to be a miracle cure on their own.
You should combine the start of your probiotics course with an improved diet if needed.
This could include:
Eating a wide variety of whole foods such vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts, seeds and fruits. Particularly focus on eating prebiotic vegetables to feed the probiotics you will be taking - these include garlic, onions, leeks, asparagus, Jerusalem artichokes, radishes, beets and parsnips.
Drinking plenty of water
Limiting processed foods
Limiting caffeine and alcohol
Okay, now let’s look at the winners in various categories for best probiotic in the UK!
Best probiotic overall in the UK
YourBiology Gut+ probiotic
YourBiology Gut+ is a premium gut supplement with various ingredients beyond just probiotics to improve gut health and general health. It is aimed at women, however anyone can take it. (If you’d prefer a product aimed at men, Biotics 8 is a very similar product from the same company.)
This supplement contains 10 strains of well-proven probiotics to give you a good amount of microbial diversity.
The strains and their benefits are:
Lactobacillus acidophilus – Supports digestion and helps maintain vaginal and intestinal health.
Lactobacillus casei – Aids lactose digestion and supports immune function.
Lactobacillus paracasei – Helps reduce inflammation and supports gut barrier integrity.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus – Known for preventing diarrhoea and supporting immune health.
Lactobacillus plantarum – Promotes gut healing and helps reduce bloating and gas.
Lactobacillus fermentum – Offers antioxidant benefits and supports respiratory health.
Bifidobacterium longum – Helps balance gut flora and reduce gastrointestinal discomfort.
Bifidobacterium bifidum – Aids in breaking down food and absorbing nutrients.
Bifidobacterium breve – Supports skin and gut health.
Saccharomyces boulardii – A probiotic yeast that helps prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and supports gut lining repair.
Collectively, these strains provide 20 billion colony forming units per three-capsule serving.
As as key point of difference to many other brands, it also contains prebiotics, digestive enzymes and vitamin D which collectively provide a more holistic approach to gut health than just probiotics alone.
Prebiotics are essentially fibres which promote the growth of probiotics (ie beneficial microbes) in the gut. This supplement contains two types of prebiotic fibre in the form of inulin and fructooligosaccharides (commonly known as FOS).
YourBiology Gut+ also includes three digestive enzymes - lipase, amylase and protease. These enzymes reduce the digestive burden on your gut which allows probiotics to more effectively colonise the gut and support gut repair.
This supplement also provides vitamin D which helps create a healthier, less inflamed environment where probiotics and digestive processes can function optimally.
This supplement is suitable for vegans.
Money-back guarantee
Another big selling point of YourBiology Gut+ is that they offer a 60-day money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied.
This kind of full-refund guarantee is not common among probiotics.
And in my opinion this risk-free offer makes YourBiology something really worth trying at least to see if it helps you.
Dosing
The dosing guidelines say to slowly increase the daily intake from 1 to 3 capsules to give your gut time to adjust.
Cost and availability
YourBiology Gut+ is more expensive than many other probiotics because it is a premium and multi-faceted gut health product which also includes prebiotics, digestive enzymes and vitamin D.
Prices vary so it’s best to check their website for current offers. And they offer a 15% discount on subscriptions.
It is not available in supermarkets or chemists.
Summary
Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5.
Verdict: YourBiology Gut+ not only offers 10 strains of probiotics, but also includes two types of prebiotics, three digestive enzymes and vitamin D for gut health support. All this means it offers a lot more benefits for gut health and general health than most probiotic supplements do. However, as you might expect, this comes at a premium price.
Pros
offers a more holistic gut health solution than most probiotic supplements
10 strains of probiotics - which have been chosen to influence various aspect of gut and general health
2 types of prebiotics
3 digestive enzymes
20 billion colony forming units of probiotics per serving
strong vegan capsules to make it though the stomach before breaking down
60-day money-back guarantee
Cons
comes as a premium price
Best probiotic with a strong evidence base
Symprove
Symprove is a great choice for those wanting a probiotic with strong scientific research supporting it.
Symprove is a water-based probiotic which was developed by scientists at King’s College London and University College London.
A key selling point of Symprove is that it is designed to survive your acidic stomach and reach your gut alive. This is achieved by selecting specific strains of common probiotic species which are proven to survive stomach acid. It is also achieved because Symprove is water based which means it doesn’t trigger digestion which might kill the healthy microbes.
You can read more about the research done into Symprove in our full review.
Symprove contains four strains of probiotics:
Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus NCIMB 30174
Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 30176
Lactobacillus acidophilus NCIMB 30175
Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NCIMB 30173
It is gluten-free, dairy-free and suitable for vegans.
Dosing
It is taken as a 70ml shot 10 minutes before breakfast. This is designed to give you 10 billion colony forming units of probiotics.
Cost and availability
Symprove is available through their website. Prices vary based on whether you choose a one-off purchase or a subscription. As an example, their cheapest subscription costs £40 per month.
You can use discount code HELLOGUT50 for 50% off the first three months at symprove.com.
Summary
Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5.
Verdict: Symprove is a thoroughly researched probiotic developed by respected scientists with lots of reported benefits and scientific evidence backing it up. However, it is not cheap. Compared to some other probiotics, it has been shown to be superior at making it to your gut alive and colonising it.
Pros
developed by scientists
further supported by numerous scientific studies since launch with impressive results
superior at colonising the gut than other brands
well reviewed by thousands of people
wide range of reported benefits from customers
I believe it has improved my gut health, energy, mood, eczema, general wellbeing and more
Cons
ongoing cost is higher than some others
taste of the original flavour is not great initially
having to take 10 minutes before food can sometimes get in the way of routine
some subscription and customer service issues reported on Trustpilot
Discount for you
Use discount code HELLOGUT50 for 50% off the first three months at symprove.com.
Best natural probiotic in the UK
Microbz Revive probiotic
Microbz Revive probiotic is a great choice for those looking for a naturally derived probiotic and also one with a good diversity of microbial strains.
Microbz harvests its probiotics directly from soil, rather than engineering them in a lab. As their website states, this is so they can ‘replicate the way nature has supported human health for centuries’.
Microbz Revive includes 15 strains of live cultures and, depending on how strict you want to be, 10 of the strains are generally regarded as probiotic:
Bacillus subtilis – supports gut microbiota balance and stool regularity.
Bifidobacterium bifidum – aids digestion, supports immune responses and may reduce duration of respiratory infections.
Bifidobacterium breve – helps break down fibre and oligosaccharides, supports gut comfort and skin health.
Bifidobacterium infantis (B. longum subsp. infantis) – may reduce IBS pain and bloating and promotes immune tolerance.
Bifidobacterium longum – supports bowel regularity, may reduce gastrointestinal discomfort and strengthens gut barrier protection.
Lactobacillus acidophilus – aids lactose digestion, supports balanced gut flora and helps maintain vaginal and intestinal health.
Lactobacillus casei – helps balance gut microbiota and supports immune function.
Lactobacillus plantarum – promotes gut barrier integrity, may reduce bloating and supports bowel regularity.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus – helps prevent antibiotic-associated and traveller’s diarrhoea and supports immune health.
Saccharomyces boulardii – probiotic yeast that prevents antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and supports gut lining repair.
And 5 of the strains have limited probiotic evidence, are more generally regarded as starter cultures (eg for yoghurt) or aren’t probiotic:
Lactobacillus bulgaricus (L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus) – yoghurt starter culture, aids lactose digestion but limited broader probiotic evidence.
Lactobacillus fermentum – may provide antioxidant and cholesterol-lowering effects, some immune support, but weaker gut evidence.
Lactococcus lactis – dairy starter culture producing beneficial metabolites (postbiotics); limited clinical evidence as a probiotic.
Streptococcus thermophilus – yoghurt starter culture that supports lactose digestion but has little standalone probiotic evidence.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae – baker’s and brewer’s yeast; not a probiotic
Microbz doesn’t state the specific number of colony forming units (CFU) of bacteria. This is because each batch is hand-fermented and the exact numbers of bacteria may vary between batches. They simply state their are ‘billions’ of microbes present.
Microbz Revive also includes various herbs, minerals and other natural ingredients. These include agar agar, aloe vera, apple cider vinegar, chondroitin sulphate, citrus peel, glucosamine sulphate, Himalayan rock salt, peppermint oil, quercetin, rutin, sea water concentrate, slippery elm and turmeric.
In general terms, these ingredients aim to reduce inflammation, improve digestion and provide antioxidants.
Revive also includes the amino acid l-glutamine to help repair the gut and support brain function.
Their probiotics are:
gluten free
GM free
wheat free
dairy free
sugar free
They are also vegan and vegetarian approved.
Dosing
You take a 15ml shot or tablespoon before breakfast. (Taking it before food will help the microbes survive your stomach acid.)
Cost and availability
One bottle for a month’s supply will cost £32.95, or on a subscription basis it will cost £28.
However, you can use discount code hellogut15 for 15% off on the Microbz website.
Summary
4.5 stars out of 5.
Verdict: Microbz Revive is a very natural probiotic containing an impressive array of microbial strains, along with other natural ingredients, for a reasonable price.
Pros
a natural product with probiotics derived from soil
15 different strains of live cultures (with 10 of these generally considered probiotic)
a fermented product containing healthy enzymes
other natural ingredients to help with digestion, inflammation and more
Cons
some people may not like the herbaceous taste, at least initially
no information on the actual amount of live cultures (ie colony forming units)
Discount for you
Use discount code hellogut15 for 15% off on the Microbz website.
Best broad spectrum probiotic (with caveats)
Nutravita Pro Bio Cultures probiotic
Nutravita Pro Bio Cultures probiotic is a good value option if you are looking for a supplement with many strains of live cultures and a large amount of them - however there are some important points to note below which take the gloss off a little bit.
This supplement includes 21 strains of live cultures and, depending on how strict you want to be, 13 of the strains are generally regarded as probiotic:
Lactobacillus acidophilus – aids lactose digestion, supports a balanced gut microbiota and may ease bloating
Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus – helps prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and supports digestive and immune health
Lactiplantibacillus plantarum – supports intestinal barrier integrity, helps regulate bowel habits and may reduce IBS-type symptoms
Lacticaseibacillus casei – supports immune function and may improve stool frequency and gut comfort
Lacticaseibacillus paracasei – supports immune function, may lessen common cold symptoms and contributes to gut barrier integrity
Limosilactobacillus reuteri – may shorten the course of infectious diarrhoea and supports gut comfort
Lactobacillus gasseri – may support H. pylori therapy and helps maintain healthy vaginal microbiota
Bifidobacterium longum – supports bowel regularity, may help IBS symptoms and contributes to gut barrier protection
Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis – may reduce pain and bloating in IBS and supports immune tolerance
Bifidobacterium breve – may help with functional constipation in children and supports skin barrier function in atopic dermatitis
Bifidobacterium bifidum – supports immune responses and may reduce the duration of respiratory infections
Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis – improves stool frequency and consistency, and supports immune markers
Bacillus coagulans (ie the ‘Lactospore’ trademarked strain) – survives gastric acidity well, may reduce abdominal pain and bloating and improves stool form
And 8 of the strains have limited probiotic evidence or are more generally regarded as starter cultures (eg for yoghurt):
Lactobacillus helveticus – aids lactose digestion and produces peptides in fermented dairy that may benefit cardiovascular health
Levilactobacillus brevis – may support immune modulation and oral mucosal health
Ligilactobacillus salivarius – may reduce IBS symptoms and supports oral and vaginal microbiome balance
Lactobacillus crispatus – associated with vaginal health and lower bacterial vaginosis recurrence, however evidence for gut health benefits are limited
Bifidobacterium adolescentis – ferments fibre and may aid bowel regularity, more research is needed
Streptococcus thermophilus – yoghurt starter culture that helps lactose digestion and tolerance
Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus – yoghurt starter culture aiding lactose digestion
Lactococcus lactis – yoghurt starter culture, may produce beneficial metabolites
So it’s fair to say there are quite a few strains in this supplement which may provide little, and perhaps no, benefit. Call me sceptical but it seems they have included as many strains of live cultures as possible so they can market it as a ‘21 strain’ product - but as we’ve seen this doesn’t mean 21 probiotic strains.
Also, it’s worth stating that over half of actual bacteria present are of just one strain…
In terms of the actual amount of bacteria, two capsules provide 60 billion colony forming units (CFU). And Lactobacillus acidophilus makes up 32.2 billion of this, while most others are 1.3 billion CFU. Call me sceptical once more, but it feels like they’ve used a huge number of this common strain so they can market the product as ‘60 billion CFU’.
It also includes a prebiotic fibre in the form of inulin.
It is vegan friendly and doesn’t need to be refrigerated.
Dosing
The dosing guidelines are to take 2 capsules per day with a glass of water.
Cost and availability
Nutravita Pro Bio Cultures probiotic is available online and in some pharmacies.
You can buy a 60-pack from Amazon for £20.
Summary
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5.
Verdict: Nutravita Pro Bio Cultures probiotic offer many strains of live cultures and a high number of actual bacteria - but not as many as you might have expected of either when you look into it deeper.
Pros
decent price
contains prebiotic fibre
delayed release capsule to help the cultures survive stomach acidity
high amount of actual bacteria (but just one strain comprises more than half the total number)
21 strains of live cultures…
Cons
…but many strains are lacking strong probiotic evidence
no vitamin D or digestive enzymes (which some alternatives offer)
Read our full review of Nutravita Pro Bio Cultures probiotic.
Best value probiotic in the UK
Now Probiotic-10
Now Probiotic-10 is a good value broad spectrum probiotic which also includes a prebiotic.
Now Probiotic-10 includes ten strains of probiotics which are:
Lactobacillus acidophilus (La‑14) – Supports digestion, promotes healthy gut flora and helps maintain vaginal and intestinal health.
Bifidobacterium lactis (Bl‑04) – Enhances immune function and may help maintain regular bowel movements.
Lactobacillus plantarum (Lp‑115) – Aids digestion, supports gut barrier function and may help reduce bloating.
Lactobacillus casei (Lc‑11) – Helps balance gut microbiota and may support immune health.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus (Lr‑32) – Supports digestive health, may help prevent diarrhoea and promotes immune function.
Lactobacillus paracasei (Lpc‑37) – Contributes to immune modulation and may help reduce symptoms of seasonal allergies.
Bifidobacterium breve (Bb‑03) – Supports healthy digestion, particularly in breaking down plant fibres, and may benefit skin health.
Lactobacillus salivarius (Ls‑33) – Supports oral and gut health and may help reduce harmful bacteria.
Bifidobacterium longum (Bl‑05) – Supports digestive comfort, helps maintain a balanced gut microbiome and may reduce inflammation.
Streptococcus thermophilus (St-21) – primarily a yoghurt starter, aids lactose digestion but weaker standalone probiotic evidence than other strains listed here
Collectively, these strains provide 25 billion colony forming units per capsule.
It also includes a prebiotic fibre in the form of fructooligosaccharides (commonly known as FOS).
It is vegan friendly and doesn’t contain soy or gluten. It also doesn’t need to be refrigerated.
Dosing
The dosing guidelines are to take 1 capsule 1 to 2 times per day between meals or on an empty stomach.
Cost and availability
Now Probiotic-10 is available online through stores like iHerb or Amazon.
Prices vary between vendors and package sizes - however iHerb seems to offer the better value.
You can buy a 50-pack from iHerb for £16 or a 50-pack from Amazon for £26.
Summary
Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5.
Verdict: Now Probiotic-10 offers 10 probiotic strains and prebiotic fibre for a reasonable price. It is one of the better value options available.
Pros
10 strains of probiotics
prebiotic fibre
good colony forming unit count (ie number of actual bacteria)
they claim some strains are ‘acid resistant’ (but they lack much information on this)
good value
Cons
no vitamin D or digestive enzymes (which some alternatives offer)
Another good value probiotic
Optibac Every Day probiotic
Optibac Every Day probiotic is a good value option if you are looking for well researched probiotics.
These probiotic strains are:
Lactobacillus rhamnosus Rosell-11 – supports digestive health, helps prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and may reduce risk of traveller’s diarrhoea
Lactobacillus acidophilus/helveticus Rosell-52 – aids lactose digestion, supports intestinal balance and contributes to general gut health
Bifidobacterium longum Rosell-175 – helps maintain gut microbial balance, supports regular bowel movements and may reduce gastrointestinal discomfort
Bifidobacterium breve Rosell-70 – contributes to healthy gut flora, may reduce bloating and supports digestion of dietary fibre
Bifidobacterium bifidum Rosell-71 – supports colon health, assists in breaking down complex carbohydrates and may help reduce intestinal inflammation
Lactococcus lactis Rosell-1058 – produces beneficial metabolites (postbiotics), supports gut microbiota balance and may help reduce gut discomfort. Probiotic evidence is more limited than the other strains though
Six strains is on the low side for a probiotic but Optibac claims that these strains are highly researched and proven to survive stomach acidity which is important.
In terms of the actual amount of bacteria, these strains collectively provide 5 billion colony forming units per capsule.
This supplement does not need to be refrigerated and it is vegan friendly as well as gluten free.
Dosing
The dosing guidelines are to take 1 capsule per day, ideally with breakfast.
Cost and availability
Optibac Every Day is widely available in the UK and online.
The recommended retail price for a 30-pack is £14.
Summary
Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5.
Verdict: Optibac Every Day probiotic is a good value option for a probiotic with well researched strains and prebiotic fibre.
Pros
good price
contains prebiotic fibre
probiotics should survive stomach acidity
well researched probiotic strains…
Cons
…but only six probiotic strains
no vitamin D or digestive enzymes (which some alternatives offer)
Another good broad spectrum probiotic
Vitabright Bio Cultures probiotic
Vitabright Bio Cultures probiotic is a decent value option - however it has similar downsides to Nutravita.
Vitabright Bio Cultures probiotic includes 17 strains of live cultures and, depending on how strict you want to be, 11 of the strains are generally regarded as probiotic:
Lactobacillus acidophilus – aids lactose digestion, supports a balanced gut microbiota and may ease bloating
Lactobacillus rhamnosus – helps prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and supports digestive and immune health
Lactobacillus plantarum – supports intestinal barrier integrity and may reduce IBS-type symptoms
Lactobacillus casei – supports immune function and may improve stool frequency and gut comfort
Lactobacillus reuteri – may shorten the course of infectious diarrhoea and supports gut comfort
Lactobacillus gasseri – may support H. pylori therapy and helps maintain healthy vaginal microbiota
Bifidobacterium longum – supports bowel regularity and may help IBS symptoms
Bifidobacterium breve – may help with functional constipation in children and supports skin barrier function in atopic dermatitis
Bifidobacterium bifidum – supports immune responses and may reduce duration of respiratory infections
Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (labelled Bifidobacterium lactis) – improves stool frequency and consistency and supports immune markers
Bacillus coagulans – survives gastric acidity well, may reduce abdominal pain and bloating and improves stool form
And 6 of the strains have limited probiotic evidence or are more generally regarded as starter cultures (eg for yoghurt):
Lactobacillus helveticus – aids lactose digestion and produces bioactive peptides, gut evidence is limited
Lactobacillus salivarius – some evidence for IBS, oral and vaginal microbiota, gut evidence is weaker
Lactobacillus brevis – may support immune modulation and oral mucosal health, gut evidence is limited
Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus (labelled Lactobacillus bulgaricus) – yoghurt starter culture aiding lactose digestion
Streptococcus thermophilus – yoghurt starter culture that helps lactose digestion and tolerance
Lactococcus lactis (labelled Lactobacillus lactis) – starter culture that may produce beneficial metabolites, limited gut evidence
As you can see, some of the strains in this supplement may provide little to no health benefit.
Also, over two-thirds of the actual bacteria present are of just one strain…
In terms of this actual amount of live cultures, two capsules provide 45 billion colony forming units (CFU). And Lactobacillus acidophilus makes up 32 billion of this, while all other strains are 1 billion or 500 million. This seems like they’ve used a huge number of this common strain so they can market the product as ‘45 billion CFU’ - but the benefit to you is not quite as good as it first may seem.
It also includes a prebiotic fibre in the form of inulin.
It is vegan friendly and doesn’t need to be refrigerated.
Dosing
The dosing guidelines are to take 2 capsules per day preferably with food.
Cost and availability
Vitabright Bio Cultures probiotic is available online and in some pharmacies.
The recommended retail price for 60 capsules is £19.
Summary
Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5.
Verdict: Vitabright Bio Cultures probiotic includes many strains of live cultures and a high number of actual bacteria - but some strains have weak probiotic evidence and a huge proportion of the bacteria comes from one common strain.
Pros
decent price
contains prebiotic fibre
high amount of actual bacteria (but just one strain comprises more than two-thirds of the total number)
17 strains of live cultures…
Cons
…but many strains are lacking strong probiotic evidence
no vitamin D or digestive enzymes (which some alternatives offer)
Read our full review of Vitabright Bio Cultures probiotic.
Other probiotics available in the UK
Bio-Kult Everyday probiotic
Bio-Kult Everyday probiotic is one to consider if you want to save money on a supplement which just contains probiotics.
It includes 14 strains of live cultures and, depending on how strict you want to be, 9 of the strains are generally regarded as probiotic:
Lactobacillus paracasei PXN® 37 – supports immune function, may reduce allergy symptoms and contributes to gut barrier protection.
Lactobacillus plantarum PXN® 47 – aids digestion, helps regulate bowel movements and supports intestinal barrier integrity.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus PXN® 54 – supports gut health, reduces risk of diarrhoea and may help maintain vaginal and urinary tract health.
Bacillus subtilis PXN® 21 – supports digestion, enzyme activity and immune modulation. This is a spore-forming probiotic that survives stomach acid.
Bifidobacterium bifidum PXN® 23 – supports digestion, helps regulate immune response and may reduce gut inflammation.
Bifidobacterium breve PXN® 25 – supports digestion of fibre and oligosaccharides and may help with skin and respiratory health.
Bifidobacterium longum PXN® 30 – supports digestion, reduces gut discomfort and helps modulate stress-related responses.
Bifidobacterium infantis PXN® 27 – supports digestion, helps reduce bloating and abdominal discomfort and promotes anti-inflammatory effects.
Lactobacillus salivarius PXN® 57 – supports oral and digestive health and contributes to immune regulation.
And 5 of the strains have limited probiotic evidence or are more generally regarded as starter cultures (eg for yoghurt):
Lactobacillus helveticus PXN® 35 – supports bone health, may reduce blood pressure and contributes to stress and mood regulation.
Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis PXN® 63 – produces beneficial metabolites that support gut microbial balance and digestion.
Streptococcus thermophilus PXN® 66 – supports lactose digestion and helps maintain gut microbial balance.
Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus PXN® 39 – aids lactose digestion and contributes to maintaining healthy gut flora.
Lactobacillus helveticus PXN® 45 – supports gut health and has been studied for potential stress and mood benefits.
In terms of the actual amount of bacteria, these strains collectively provide 2 billion colony forming units per capsule - which is quite low compared to other brands.
This supplement does not need to be refrigerated and it is suitable for vegetarians and is gluten free. It does contain milk and soya allergens though.
Dosing
The dosing guidelines are to take up to 4 capsules per day with food.
Cost and availability
Bio-Kult Everyday probiotic is widely available in the UK and online.
The regular retail price for a 30-pack is £10.50.
Summary
Rating: 4 stars out of 5.
Verdict: Bio-Kult Everyday is a simple probiotic supplement for a good price. It has a good amount of bacterial strains, but a low actual number of these bacteria.
Pros
14 strains of live cultures (with 9 of those generally considered probiotic)
good price
Cons
low actual number of bacteria with 2 billion colony forming units per capsule
no prebiotics, vitamin D or digestive enzymes (which some alternatives offer)
no information on how well the probiotics survive your stomach acid to get to your lower gut alive
Factors we consider in our ratings
The factors we consider when doing a review (and the weightings of each of these) may vary depending on the product we are testing, but here are the key general factors we consider when we settle on a rating for a product.
Health benefits
We find out how the product will be good for your health and outline the benefits for you in simple language. This often involves doing research so you don’t have to. We often link to scientific studies or articles summarising scientific findings so you can dig deeper if you want to.
Things detrimental to health
We want to highlight where a product might include something bad for your health - even if it might be good for you in another way. This could include such things as pointing out certain additives it contains or high sugar levels.
How it’s made
This will vary depending on the product, but we want to see a quality process for making it and quality ingredients. For example, we want to see a kombucha traditionally fermented with lots of different microbial strains and we want to see a yoghurt made with fresh milk and not milk powders.
Price
While we expect quality products to be more expensive, they still have to be priced within reason. On the other side of things, a product which is priced very competitively will get a ratings boost based on the value it provides.
Flavour
For some products flavour won’t be a factor (eg probiotic tablets), but for others, like yoghurt or kimchi, flavour is a key aspect because these products are made to be enjoyed as well as being healthy! We will try to be as subjective as possible and describe the flavour in detail so you can get an idea of whether you would like it or not.
Your reviewer
This hands-on review was written by Travis, the founder of this website, long-time gut-health enthusiast, science nerd and passionate kombucha maker of over 10 years!