Things To Consider When Buying A Probiotic Drink
- Types Of Probiotic Drinks
Probiotic drinks are of different types. Some take care of your overall health, while others treat specific health conditions. Choose one as per your requirement. The following are some probiotic drinks meant for specific conditions:
- Bacteria against constipation
- Bacteria for lowering cholesterol
- Mix It Up
Though probiotic drinks are tasty, you can still mix them with any beverage of your choice. Consider mixing them with a nutritional shake for better benefits and taste.
- Shelf Life
The shelf life of probiotic drinks is very short. They should be consumed soon after opening the pack. It is best to refrigerate them to keep their benefits intact.
- Consultation
Consult your doctor if you are taking probiotic drinks for any specific health condition to prevent side effects or drug interactions.
These were our top picks for probiotic drinks that are available in India. Pick any one and give it a try if you suffer from weak immunity and recurrent digestive problems. It is recommended to consult a doctor and discuss benefits of probiotic drinks before using them regularly. So, what is the recommended dosage? Find out below.
Symprove Daily Food Supplement: Best Long
Price: £79 for four 500ml bottles | Buy now from Symprove
If you suffer from IBS or significant digestive issues, you may have heard of Symprove. Because its a water-based supplement, Symprove wont trigger digestion: instead, the brand claims it allows four strains of live bacteria to survive their journey through the stomachs acidic environment where they can get to work on the gut. Symprove is designed as a 12-week programme to allow your body to adjust, and its makers claim that when a 70ml dose is taken daily, more than ten billion live bacteria will continually work to nourish the bacteria already present in your gut microbiome.
Symprove has a thin, easy-to-drink consistency, and it comes in two varieties of Original or Mango & Passionfruit. Unfortunately, the latter flavour wont completely mask the supplements sour, acidic taste, which can take some getting used to first thing in the morning especially as youre told to wait ten minutes before eating or drinking. Luckily, the aftertaste fades pretty quickly, and we found that after a few days of taking Symprove it became much more bearable.
Its not a cheap option the recommended 12-week course is £158 so some customers suggest trialing Symprove for a month to see what difference you feel. Symprove is also vegan friendly as its both dairy- and gluten-free.
Are There Any Foods That Can Help With Bloating
Yes, there are certain foods that can help with bloating. Foods high in fiber help push bulk through the intestines, reducing bloating. They also reduce gas and increase bowel movements to prevent constipation. Soluble fiber absorbs water and becomes a thick gel-like substance that helps food pass through your system faster for better digestion.
Examples of foods high in soluble fiber include:
oatmeal
apricots
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What Is The Best Time To Take Probiotics
While it doesn’t necessarily matter what time of day you take a probiotic, it’s probably a good idea to give yourself some time to adjust before going to bed.
Taking a probiotic supplement just before bed is not advised because your body needs some time to rest and recover from the day. This will allow the beneficial bacteria in your supplement to have enough time to reach a high presence in your gut without being slowed down by other body processes.
Nhs Recommends Probiotics For Ibs
The NHS suggests that probiotics may help to help relieve IBS symptoms23. In the UK, it is estimated that cost of IBS to the NHS is £12 million per year. NHS online suggests that 75% of people manage IBS symptoms with self-care
This is a big milestone in the world of probiotics because, although probiotics are routinely prescribed in many European hospitals, it wasnt always part of the NHS recommendations. The NICE guidelines , which provides evidence-based guidelines/framework that many medical and health care professionals work within, now recommends that probiotics can be used for at least 4 weeks for managing IBS related symptoms24.
The NHS website states that: “Probiotics may help reduce bloating and flatulence in some people with IBS.” The inclusion of probiotics for IBS relief was due to the result of a systematic review by Moayyedi et al., published in 2010, which concluded that probiotics were effective in the management of IBS25.
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Align Digestive Care Probiotic Supplement 28 Count
Align Digestive Care Probiotic Supplement contains Bifantis , a unique, patented pure-strain probiotic bacteria that helps naturally maintain your digestive balance. Bifantis was developed by gastroenterologists.
Bifantis is the natural probiotic ingredient in Align. The specific and pure strain of Bifantis found in Align is Bifidobacterium infantis 35624, which helps build and support a healthy digestive system.
Align is the only probiotic supplement that contains Bifantis.
Garden Of Life Dr Formulated Women’s Daily 40 Billion
Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Lactobacillus Casei, Lactobacilus Paracasei, Lactobacillus Bulgaricus, Lactobacillus Brevis, Lactobacillus Reuteri, Lactobacillus Salivarius, Lactobacillus Fermentum, Lactobacillus Gasseri, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium Lactis, Bifidobacterium Bifidum, Bifidobacterium Breve, Bifidobacterium Infantis and Bifidobacterium Longus.
Garden Of Life is an awesome brand that makes probiotics specifically for both men and women. They were one of the first brands I tried when I first start the PRG blog.
The Women’s Daily Care probiotic has a mixture of 16 Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium probiotic strains and a 40-Billion CFU count. It also contains a potato & acacia prebiotic fiber blend.
The probiotic has helped some people with IBS but some of the strains included seem to be for vaginal health & not only IBS. It’s dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free, and vegetarian but not vegan.
One bottle with 30-capsules lasts about $20.75 and it’s available on amazon, Walmart, garden of life website, eBay and iherb. I have also tried their colon care probiotic which was good but quite intense for IBS in my opinion.
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Best For Great Price: Newrhythm Recommended Probiotics For Ibs
The Newrhythm Recommended Probiotics For Ibss material feels more premium than its price would suggest. The newrhythm recommendedprobiotics for ibs made in a facility based in New York, USA. 100% natural, non-gmo, gluten freenewrhythm 50 billion probiotics is formulated with 100% natural ingredients and independently tested in 3rd party labs in the USA. Moreover, it is noticeable and it can opt for higher cost.
The probiotic provides great value, is great for the gut and it is bad. Above all, the newrhythm recommended probiotics foribs is good for insulin resistance and it is kosher.
Most buyers found that the probiotic is their address from their privacy policy page. Also, they say that the probiotics are made up of nearly all l and b probiotic strains. Also, they strongly agree that the recommended dosage for probiotics is 1 10 billion per day. In short, most buyers agree that probiotics suit best, and no one questions it.
Top Customer Quotes:
- This has great strains, is good for stomach discomfort and it feels better.
- This is great for stomach ulcer issues, regularity, and also yeast.
- This works for other ingredients and it makes for great tasting.
- This will require more time continuing to dose daily.
Bourbon Whiskey And Vodka
Again, FODMAPs are really something that you dont need to worry about with any distilled spirits, as the sugar content in any that you drink is naturally occurring, and for the most part, has turned to alcohol during the distillation process.
That said, you do need to consider the ABV of distilled spirits , as it can be anywhere between 40 and 60% . If the amount of alcohol in a drink is one of the things that can cause your IBS to flare up, it might be wise to avoid any and all distilled spirits.
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Should You Be Eating Fermented Food
Fermented products can contain a wide variety of bacteria and minerals that contribute to gut diversity. It’s hard to know what bacteria is in these foods and what bacteria your body needs, so its worth experimenting by including a range of them in your diet .
Be aware that fermented foods such as kimchi and miso can be high in salt, and not all fermented food contains live bacteria. Check the label for contains live cultures.
Foods That Boost Your Gut Health Naturally
Ideally, you should aim to include a range of prebiotic, probiotic and fibrous foods in your diet. This is likely to be cheaper than relying on supplements too.
As the image below shows, prebiotic foods include apples, bananas, onion, asparagus and leeks, while easy sources of probiotics are yoghurt and fermented foods.
Variety is key, but make sure you introduce food that you are unfamiliar with gradually to avoid any side effects.
Dont forget the fibre either: its not as trendy as some of the newer gut health products, but most of us could do with adding more fibre to our diet. Good sources are fruit and veg, beans and pulses, and whole grains.
Its thought that we need to consume around 30g of fibre per day, but the average Brit consumes an estimated 18g a day.
There is strong evidence that eating lots of fibre lowers the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, bowel cancer and more.
It also helps you feel fuller for longer, and can aid digestion and in preventing constipation. Many fibrous foods are also prebiotic, making these choices a win-win for digestive health
Thanks to Dr Simon Gaisford, Dr Samantha Gill, Dr Megan Rossi and Priya Tew for their contributions to this article.
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Just Because You Can It Doesnt Mean That You Should
Too many people have taken the Surgeon Generals advice as gospel and assumed that because theres a safe level that you can drink every day, that you should drink every single day.
That isnt what the advice is there for, and if youre particularly prone to alcohol causing additional problems, as it does for those of us who suffer from IBS, then its wise to ignore the every day part of the advice and limit your drinking to every other day or a couple of times a week.
If youre constantly bombarding your gut with alcohol, youre increasing the likelihood that it will cause your symptoms to appear, as well as putting yourself at risk from the multitude of other health problems that can be caused by daily drinking.
Just because you can drink every day, it doesnt mean that you should drink every day.
Can Probiotics Improve Ibs Symptoms
A comprehensive 2016 review concluded that its unclear how effective probiotics are for treating IBS. It cited small study sizes and lack of consistent data .
However, a number of studies have shown that specific probiotics may have the potential to target specific symptoms. Probiotics from the Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Saccharomyces families have shown particular promise (
15 ).
A German study of a two-strain probiotic liquid known as Pro-Symbioflor also had promising results. In this study, 297 patients were treated for eight weeks and experienced a 50% decrease in general symptoms, including abdominal pain .
Meanwhile, Symprove is a four-strain probiotic that was tested in 186 patients in the UK. It was found to reduce overall symptom severity after 12 weeks of treatment .
Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 capsules have also been shown to marginally reduce pain, bloating and problems with bowel habits in all subtypes of IBS .
While some of these results are promising, there is some inconsistency between studies. In addition, most strains only have one study demonstrating their effectiveness. Therefore, more research is needed to confirm the results.
Summary Preliminary research has found 10 probiotic strains that may help improve overall symptoms of IBS. However, results have been inconsistent, and most strains have only one small study behind them. Further research is required.
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Best Probiotics For Ibs According To A Nutritionist
When choosing probiotics, also known as ‘friendly bacteria’ or ‘live cultures’, it is best to opt for supplements supported by credible research. You want something that has been scientifically tested and rightly so! The best type of research to look for is a clinical trial because it shows how the probiotic performs in real people with real health conditions, compared to a placebo.
So, when choosing the best probiotic for IBS it is a good idea to look for one containing probiotic strains which have been shown in clinical trials to offer benefits for the symptoms of IBS, such as constipation, bloating, or diarrhoea. There are 5 types of IBS that we will explore in this article:
Continue reading to find out which are the best IBS probiotic strains for each IBS subtype.
What Probiotic Drinks Can
Probiotics can’t…
Work digestive miracles in minutes. If you’re hoping that chugging a probiotic drink will help you “detox” after a particularly indulgent weekend or “clean your system” so you feel more regular, know that taking any kind of probiotic won’t produce an immediate bowel movement like taking a laxative would, Palinski-Wade says. “However, over a period of time, regular consumption can help to improve regularity, decrease GI bloat, and combat constipation,” she says.
Probiotics can
Be a great complement to your fitness routine. If you’re regularly following a strenuous training routine, you could be suppressing your immune system and making your body more susceptible to infection. Since probiotics can help to strengthen the immune system, consuming them regularly can benefit athletes and avid exercisers alike, says Palinski-Wade.
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Which Probiotic Brands Are Best
I realize that listing the best species is not so practical when it comes to purchasing an actual product.
So these are the best probiotics for IBS currently available based on the current evidence and the opinion of gastrointestinal specialists. They are not listed in any particular order, and its currently not possible to recommend one over the other.
Dosage recommendations are listed on the product and none of them contain inulin , but always speak to your doctor before trying any new supplement.
Probiotics Prebiotics And Synbiotics
Probiotics are âgoodâ bacteria that may ease the belly pain and gas you get with IBS. There aren’t specific recommendations on how much you should take, which kinds, or how often. Studies have shown there is a potential for benefit, but more research is needed.
You can take supplements as capsules or sprinkle them as a powder on food. You also can get probiotics naturally in foods like yogurt, aged cheeses, kimchi, sauerkraut, miso, and tempeh.
Prebiotics: These sugars serve as food for âgoodâ bacteria and can help them grow. Thereâs not a lot of research on these supplements and how they can help with IBS, but theyâre not harmful for most people. Fruits and vegetables are also good sources of prebiotics, especially bananas, onions, garlic, leeks, asparagus, and artichokes, plus soybeans and whole wheat foods.
Synbiotics: These are a combination of probiotics and prebiotics. Early studies show these might help people with IBS. But doctors need more research to learn if and how they should be recommended.
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How Do They Work
Its thought the addition of the right types and numbers of bacteria to the gut can improve gut health .
However, the precise mechanism of action of probiotics is still unknown.
Looking specifically at IBS, the theory is that certain strains can promote an anti-inflammatory response, improve visceral hypersensitivity, gut dysmotility, intestinal permeability , and even remedy dysfunction of the gut-brain axis .
Assuming this is true, we would then expect that probiotics would greatly improve IBS symptoms.
Summary: Bacteria that we consume for health benefits are called probiotics. There are many different strains that may help with IBS although the mechanism of action is poorly understood.
How To Choose A Probiotic Drink In The Uk
Before we dive into our top 10 list, lets first consider what exactly you should look for. Many products are labelled as “health” drinks when theyre actually full of unhealthy sugars and additives that provide no benefits whatsoever for your gut. So, its important to know precisely what goes into making a good probiotic drink!
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Worst Alcoholic Drinks For Ibs Sufferers
These alcohols are either high in FODMAPs or glutenThey are frequently associated with worse IBS symptoms
-
Fructose-containing alcohols:
fructose is originally found in some fruits like apples watermelon mango cherry and pear.About one-third of IBS patients suffer from fructose intolerance fructose is one of the FODMAP that is poorly tolerated and may lead to bloating and IBS attack Fructose found in
- fruit-based beverages , Cocktails and mixers
- sweet wines
- high fructose corn syrup
-
Alcohols containing artificial sweeteners
The letter P and FODMAP refers to a group of sugars called Polyols.Artificial sweeteners like mannitol, xylitol, and sorbitol all Polyols which may trigger your IBS as they are originally a FODMAP.
avoid the Diet alcohols that contain artificial sweeteners. always check the ingredients of your beverages for these 3 substances: Mannitol, Xylitol, and Sorbitol.
-
Carbonated alcoholic beverages:
The gas produced by the carbonated beverages may worsen your IBS. If you frequently suffer from bloating and gas, you should avoid any carbonated beverages like:
- Fizzy mixers,
What About Kefir Yoghurt Drinks
As with other fermented foods, kefir a traditional Eastern fermented milk product available as both a drink and yoghurt also has limited clinical evidence behind it. It’s hard to measure exactly what concentration of which bacteria each batch contains.
Kefir products usually contain a broader range of probiotic bacteria than yoghurt-based drinks, though.
As a milk-based product, it can be high in sugar .
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