Probiotic drinks are nothing new, they’ve been around for decades. You probably know about Yakult, which came over from Japan in the mid-90s and has sat in our yoghurt aisles ever since. If you’re not familiar, it’s those little bottles with the red foiled tops that are filled with ‘good’ bacteria for your gut.
However, a lot has changed since the Nineties. Today’s consumers have an increased interest in probiotics and gut health (at the time of writing, #guthealth has 7.1 billion views on TikTok) and the probiotic drinks market is expanding. Now, gut-boosting beverages are coming in the form of all kinds of milky drinks, shots and sodas. This year’s newest launch is a collaboration between supermarket giant Marks and Spencer and nutrition company Zoe (see our verdict below), a sure sign that gut health is going mainstream.
These probiotic drinks are said to have incredible health benefits from improving digestion to boosting immunity and overall wellbeing. But is there anything we should be aware of?
What to know about probiotic drinks
“It is important to note that the efficacy of these drinks depends on what strains are present, the number of CFUs (how much bacteria) and whether the bacteria can actually survive our stomach acid or not,” says Clarissa Lenherr, a nutritionist and gut health specialist. “You also want to watch out for lots of added sugar as overconsumption of sugar can significantly impact many areas of your health, including your gut.”
How often should we be having probiotic drinks?
There’s no set amount, says Lenherr, but overdoing it could trigger unwanted digestive issues. “If you are consuming them alongside a healthy diet with fibre, plant foods, lots of colours and other fermented foods, I would recommend a probiotic drink around three times per week as a nice addition,” she advises.
Scroll down for the probiotic drinks that we think are worth a shot… (nb: as they contain live bacteria, it’s best to keep them in the fridge).
Symprove Water-based Food Supplement
As a water-based formula, Symprove’s supplement has the best chances of delivering the bacteria to your gut safely and soundly, because digestion, which can create acids that are too harsh for many bacteria forms, won’t be triggered when you drink it. Working to bolster your gut’s microbiome, which is a massive ecosystem made up of trillions of organisms that are fundamental in metabolic, nutritional, and immune system functions, this drink, which comes in original, strawberry and raspberry and mango and passionfruit, will give your gut all the bacterial goodness it needs.
Buy now £79.99, Symprove
M&S X Zoe The Gut Shot
This gut shot has been developed with the expertise of Zoe, the nutrition company fronted by Professor Tim Spector. It’s made from milk kefir (a type of fermented milk) and fruits, including strawberries, baobab and blueberries. It contains over five billion live cultures from 14 different strains of friendly bacteria. The consistency is pleasingly creamy, like yoghurt, with a slightly sweet and tangy flavour.
Buy now £2.00, Ocado
Biotiful Original Kefir Drink
If you are curious about trying milk kefir, Biotiful Original is another great option. Each bottle contains over 40 strains of live cultures, plus vitamin B12 which supports the normal functioning of the immune system. The drink is not as heavy as yoghurt but thicker than milk, making it a lighter choice. Enjoy it in a variety of ways: straight from the bottle, poured over your morning cereal or as the base for a smoothie.
Buy now £2.00, Amazon
Biomel Belgian Chocolate Probiotic Shot
Biomel is a gut health brand known for its range of dairy-free probiotic shots. They’re made using a blend of plant-based milks, vitamins, minerals and billions of live active cultures. We recommend the Belgian Chocolate shot, which is a nostalgic throwback to that delightful milk you get at the bottom of a bowl of Nesquik cereal.
Buy now £1.20, Amazon
Plenish Berry Gut Health Shot
Small but mighty, this shot packs a powerful punch. That’s because fiery apple cider vinegar is mixed with pomegranate, apple, raspberry and millions of Bacillus Coagulans live cultures, which are said to reach the gut alive. While we can’t confirm its effectiveness, it certainly tastes like it will do good things to your insides.
Buy now £2.00, Sainsbury's
London Fermentary Water Kefir
Looking at the “ins and outs” for 2024, it’s goodbye kombucha, hello water kefir. Think of this lightly sparkling fermented drink as being similar to ‘booch but without the acidic bite. London Fermentary’s water kefir offers 160 billion lactic acid bacteria per 100ml. It comes in a variety of delicate botanical flavours, such as Rose & Acai, Jasmine & Lemongrass and Calming Lavender.
Buy now £5.99, Planet Organic
Myrkl
They say prevention is better than cure, and preaching that message is the folks behind Myrkl.
Instead of looking to soothe the thumping headache, dry mouth and a general feeling of foreboding after the party, this is a remedy to take before your sesh. Take two pills containing patented ingredient AB001 and vitamin B12 from anywhere between 12 - 2 hours before your first drink and the claim is that you’ll rise feeling refreshed the next day. It works by rapidly breaking down alcohol in the gut, when taken as advised.
Myrkl is the result of three decades of research, but it’s still wise to take this with a pinch of salt: there is a limit to how well it will work and few remedies will absolve a night on endless drinks chased with tequila shots.
Want to road-test it first? Find a single-dose sachet at Superdrug.
Buy now £25.45, Amazon
