About 38% of people who buy “functional” gummies in the US look for ones with probiotics. Should you join them?

To answer this question, we’ll look at probiotic gummies’ benefits and side effects.

What Are Probiotics?

There are 300–500 kinds of bacteria and some yeasts in your gut. That’s your microbiota.

Some of these microorganisms are good, though. Scientists call these helpful bacteria probiotics.

Side Note: Don’t confuse probiotics with prebiotics. The latter is actually the nutrients (usually fiber) that feed the useful probiotic microorganisms.

What Are Probiotic Gummies?

Fermented foods (like yogurt and sauerkraut) are good sources of probiotics. However, some people prefer to take their probiotics as supplements. One popular supplement form is gummies.

A probiotic gummy will contain at least one type of probiotic microorganism (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, or Saccharomyces) along with gelatin and a sweetener.

The main reason people choose gummies over other delivery methods is the taste and texture. Chewing gummies is generally easier than swallowing a capsule, which can help you stick to a daily supplement regimen.

Taste aside, you can also find probiotic gummies with vegan ingredients. This makes the supplement ideal for those who can’t consume yogurt.

What Are Probiotic Gummies For?

Much like capsule probiotic supplements, the gummies are made to treat dysbiosis (an imbalance in the microbiota).

This means that they keep the population of the “bad” pathogenic organisms low while restoring the amount of the “good” bacteria and yeast colonies in your gut to its normal level.

Uses of Probiotic Gummies

So, probiotic gummies can help you restore the balance of helpful microorganisms in your gut. But when would you use them?

Here are a few potential situations where the supplements could come in handy:

• To tackle the diarrhea that comes after using a broad-spectrum antibiotic.
• To reduce IBS symptoms (bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, etc.).
• Whenever you need an oral booster for traditional antifungal treatments for recurrent yeast infections.
• To manage the flatulence and pain that come with lactose intolerance.

Side Effects of Probiotic Gummies

When you first start taking probiotic gummies, you might experience bloating, gas, or mild abdominal discomfort. This is particularly true if you already have a sensitive digestive system.

This sounds counterproductive, but the side effects are usually short-term. Unless you can’t handle the artificial sweeteners used in the gummy formula, the symptoms should improve after a while.

One side effect that you should never ignore, though, is any sort of allergic reaction.

Stop using the gummies immediately if you notice redness, rash, itching, swelling, or respiratory issues. You could be allergic to either the bacteria strain or the inactive ingredients.

Should You Use Probiotic Gummies?

People with weakened immune systems shouldn’t use probiotic gummies (or any other form of probiotics) without consulting a physician.

It’s also worth noting that probiotics are considered supplements, not drugs. This means they don’t go through the rigorous testing and regulation that medicines do.

So, should you take gummies?

While some gastroenterologists agree that supplements are safe for most people, they wouldn’t recommend them for a healthy person. Others believe taking supplements is a good choice for those who can’t (or won’t) eat fermented foods regularly.

Many Benefits of Probiotic Gummies

Reducing gastrointestinal upset is the most common benefit, but there’s more than gummies can do for your health, from aiding weight loss to treating dermatitis.

The exact benefits depend on the viability of the formula, the CFU, and the probiotic strain itself. 

Here’s a quick look at the potential benefits of some bacteria and yeast strains:

• Lactobacillus acidophilus: Keeps diarrhea at bay
• Lactobacillus fermentum: Helps manage blood pressure and cholesterol levels
• Bifidobacterium bifidum: Provides relief from bloating and abdominal pain
• Bifidobacterium longum: Helps manage stress and anxiety
• Saccharomyces boulardii: Reduces infection risk
• Lactococcus lactis: Boosts immune cell production

Bottomline

Probiotic gummies are a tasty, convenient option for boosting gut health, especially if you don’t eat fermented foods. They can help with issues like post-antibiotic diarrhea, IBS symptoms, and lactose intolerance. The benefits depend on the strains used—e.g., Lactobacillus acidophilus aids diarrhea, while Bifidobacterium longum helps with stress.

Side effects like bloating or mild discomfort are common at first, but allergic reactions should be taken seriously. Since probiotics aren’t as regulated as drugs, consult a doctor if you have a weakened immune system or allergies. Gummies are great for those who need them, but healthy individuals might not benefit as much.