Gut health has become a trending topic in recent years, and you don't have to be a health and wellness guru to get involved. Probiotics drinks are an easy way to improve your gut health, leaving you with glowing skin that no spenny moisturiser can compete with, and a calm, settled belly- IBS sufferers, I am looking at you.
We have rounded up the best probiotic drinks for gut health that are healthy and super delicious. Sweet and fizzy kombucha comes in flavours such as raspberry, ginger and even cola - you will be hooked. Trust us; ditching pop will be a piece of cake once you realise how satisfying and beneficial kombucha is.
Kombucha is so rich in beneficial probiotics and antioxidants; it can kill harmful bacteria and help fight several diseases, such as the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Know any other drinks that can do that? We'll wait.
If you are not a fan of fizzy soft drinks, then kefir is an easy way to introduce probiotics into your diet with live-culture filled yoghurt drinks and kefir milk that you can add to smoothies, cereals and your morning hot drink.
And that's just scratching the surface.
Before we take a look at the best probiotic drinks for gut health. Let's just break down what probiotics are and why after reading this, you NEED to include them in your regime.
What are probiotics?
According to New York-certified dietitian nutritionist Alissa Rumsey, "Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that replenish our body’s micro-biome with healthy cultures while helping to control the growth of harmful bacteria in our gut."
When the word ‘bacteria’ comes to mind, your first thought isn’t usually something positive - let alone something tasty. However, these bacteria are highly beneficial to our bodies in many ways. There are billions of good bacteria living naturally in your gut. Collectively known as your gut microbiome or gut flora, these bacteria are responsible for aiding digestion and metabolism, supporting your immune system, and absorbing nutrients.
Probiotics use ‘good’ bacteria, similar to what is in your gut flora. When this bacteria is delivered to your gut, it helps replenish and rebalance the microbiome, which reduces the amount of work your gut goes through and therefore makes you less prone to illness.
Probiotics are not also only related to your digestion but are also known to lower blood pressure. It can also be beneficial to dental health, support some skin conditions, improve vaginal health, and it may be beneficial for brain function, such as helping ease anxiety and depression. What more could you want?
What is kombucha?
Kombucha is made by naturally fermenting tea with a SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast). The mix is left to ferment for a week to a month, creating a fizzy drink that can come in many different flavours.
What is kefir?
Kefir is brewed using a live culture nurtured from kefir grains, it is traditionally fermented with milk or coconut water. It is packed with natural and healthy organic acids and is amazing for your gut health.
What is switchel?
Switchel is an old school, live-cultured drink that has been made around the world for hundreds of years. It is made with a simple blend of raw apple cider vinegar, water, ginger, and a sweetener. It is great for your gut health and can provide electrolyte replenishment during exercise and blood sugar stabilisation too.
SHOP: The best probiotic drinks for your gut health
Best Kombucha probiotic drinks
Discover the uplifting taste of Equinox Kombucha with flavours like ginger, raspberry and elderflower kombucha. Enjoy a gut-friendly drink at 36 calories per bottle. Plus, it would taste incredible in a G&T or a vodka cocktail.
Tried and tested by Ellen Kinsey, Commercial Content Writer for Closer: "I love kombucha. I would go as far as to say it is my favourite drink. I have tried a lot of different brands over the years, and this is my favourite. The ginger flavour is my go-to as I love the spicy kick, but if you prefer fruity flavours, the peach and guava ones are lovely too."
Gutsy Captain Kombucha is a delicious, naturally bubbly fermented probiotic drink that tastes amazing and is healthy too. The new Zero Sugar version is made with zero sugar and zero calories. So sip away guilt-free.
Looking for a healthy alternative to cola, look no further than Lo Bros Organic Kombucha Cola. This healthy soft drink contains less than 1.6g of sugar per 100ml and less than 20 calories per bottle without artificial sweeteners or additives.
Virtually calorie-free and teeming with probiotic cultures to satisfy your gut, this delicious soft drink will be your new favourite.
Tried and tested by Ellen Kinsey, Commercial Content Writer for Closer: "If you love mango, this tropical flavoured kombucha is to die for. It has a sweet juicy ripe mango taste but has zero sugar. I love mango flavoured drinks and this is definitely one of the best I have tasted."
This variety pack of kombucha is an excellent addition to a summer picnic. You will not miss sugar-filled soft drinks when you have flavours like ginger and turmeric, raspberry and pomegranate, and passionfruit and goji. Plus, they have less than 15 calories per can.
If you are looking for a variety of different flavours, then Remedy Raw Kombucha offer eight different fizzy and refreshing live-cultured drinks, all with no sugar, naturally made with kombucha tea, kefir and switchel.
Tried and tested by Ellen Kinsey, Commercial Content Writer for Closer: "I love that this mixed case comes with such a variety. My favourite thing to do at the moment is to add the kefir coconut water to my smoothies. It keeps me feeling hydrated and makes my gut happy too."
momo-kombucha.com
As well as doing your gut good, this kombucha does good in the world as 10p from every bottle sold will be donated to Natoora’s Farm Fund, supporting young farmers who are committed to sustainable farming methods and addressing climate change.
Tried and tested by Georgina Terry, digital editor of Closer: "Look, let's be honest. Some kombuchas can taste a little of, well, vinegar. But not this one! I love a bit of 'buch and this is - honestly - one of the best I've tried. It's light, fragrant and delicious."
Best Kefir and yoghurt probiotic drinks
www.tesco.com
Perfect as a grab and go snack or breakfast. These culture-filled strawberry yoghurt drinks are packed with probiotics and vitamins to give you the best start.
Biotiful Dairy Organic Kefir is a cultured milk drink that is nutritious and creamy and perfect for supporting immunity naturally and gut health. Add it to your tea and coffee for an easy gut health boost.
www.sainsburys.co.uk
This Kefir fermented milk drink is made with coconut and honey. Add a daily dose of goodness with kefir made with British milk and 13 strains of live cultures. This would be perfect with breakfast or even as a glass on its own.
11.
Yakult Balance
Yakult
Yakult Balance is packed with friendly bacteria to increase the lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in the gut. It’s also rich in vitamin D to support immunity as well as muscle and bone health*.
*Vitamin D contributes to the normal function of the immune system and the maintenance of normal bone and muscle function. Each bottle of Yakult Balance accounts for 30% of the EU reference intake for vitamin D. Enjoy as part of a healthy balanced diet and lifestyle.
Read more: Lower calorie chocolates and chocolate bars we can't get enough of
Best probiotics drink supplements and powders
If you are taking antibiotics or have digestive issues, taking a daily probiotic will help your gut health. Symprove is a unique, water-based supplement containing four live and active bacteria strains that are delivered to the gut to support a healthy microbiome. Plus, the Mango and Passion fruit flavour makes it easy to go down. This probiotic is to be taken daily, just take 70ml of Symprove each morning on an empty stomach and wait ten minutes before eating or drinking.
Tried and tested by Ellen Kinsey, Commercial Content Writer for Closer: " I have been taking Symprove for a year now, and it has become an essential part of my morning routine. It has honestly made a huge difference to my digestion. Symprove recommends completing a 12-week programme to assess the full results. However, after four weeks, I felt more energetic, my visits to the bathroom have been more regular and consistent, and I do not feel as bloated after eating meals. If you have food intolerances, IBS, or digestive issues, I highly recommend giving Symprove a go."
If you are looking for an easy way to include probiotics into your diet, add this instant tropical drink powder with superfoods and 5 billion CFUs per serving of plant-based live cultures into your smoothies, protein shakes or water. Made with superfruits with digestive enzymes and zesty ginger, this powder will give your smoothies a tropical twist.
Tried and tested by Ellen Kinsey, Commercial Content Writer for Closer: " I love how easy this probiotic drink powder is to use. I love having it in smoothies and especially recommend trying it with this tropical mocktail with pineapple recipe from the Your Super blog. Pineapple and ginger are fantastic for beating the bloat and the mix contains digestive enzyme bromelain which helps break down proteins for better digestion."
If you suffer from constipation, this would be a great fix. This is a convenient alternative to supplements as it comes in a powder form that can be added to food and water, stirred into juice, or used to make yoghurt.
www.daremotivation.com
The ultimate probiotic drink for lazy health fanatics. Dare's Motivational Shakes contain an all-in-one blend of seeds, superfoods, herbs, phytonutrients, pre-and probiotics. Each serving provides the right dosage for the perfect balanced drink. It comes in delicious flavours such as black forest gateau, cocoa and peanut butter cocoa and jaffa orange and cocoa vanilla frosting.
Happy gut, happy mind
Did you know that 95 per cent of serotine is located in the Gastrointestinal tract (GI tract)? Serotonin is the essential hormone that maintains our mood, feelings of well-being, and happiness—cells in the GI tract transport serotonin outside the intestine to the rest of our body. So, happy gut, happy mind!