The Best Time To Take Probiotics And What Else You Need To Know

One of the questions you’re probably wondering is, “Is it worth it to take probiotics?” Nowadays, it’s the newest supplement trend, and numerous studies support its efficacy. It’s essential that you know the basics – when’s the best time to take probiotics, which foods to eat, and why you should be considering it on your diet.  

Let’s get started on your journey to a healthier and happier you. This article will answer your questions about probiotics. Here’s what you need to know. 

How and When to Take Your Probiotics

Does the Timing of Your Probiotic Intake Matter?

Yes, probiotic timing does matters. While it is true that taking probiotics provides many advantages to your health, taking it at the right time can help even more to optimize health benefits. Probiotic timing is only a piece of one big puzzle to ensure that probiotics can perform their job rightly.

The human intestinal tract houses several good and bad bacteria. Probiotics are the good bacteria that help in regulating your digestive and immune system. Before these probiotics can get to work, however, the good bacteria must first establish its presence in your gut. While you already have a population of microorganisms in your stomach, most of the probiotic bacteria are active in the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

Probiotics are sensitive microorganisms that can easily be disturbed by certain factors – stomach acid, temperature, and food sources. When you eat, the digestive system produces stomach acid and bile to break down the food that you consume. For probiotics to perform its work, it needs to get to the lower GI tract which means it must survive the corrosive environment of the stomach.

The acid secreted by the stomach is often too harsh for the sensitive bacteria cultures to thrive on their own. That is why taking probiotics at the right time is crucial to make sure that the beneficial bacteria pass through the stomach and perform well.

When is the Best Time to Take Probiotics?

Timing is everything, but as mentioned above, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. Taking your probiotics at conditions when your stomach acid is at a low level ensures that the good healthy bacteria continue to live and colonize your GI tract. In doing this, they can perform a significant impact on your gut health and immune system.

However, the question remains, “When exactly is the best time to take probiotics?” Although there isn’t an exact time to take probiotics, doctors and experts in the field recommend taking them shortly after a meal or no more than 30 minutes before a meal.

The best time to take probiotics is moments before you take a meal because the food you ingest offers support for the beneficial live microorganisms to survive while they make their way through your GI tract. By allowing some food into the mix, it will help the cultures make it to your intestines without much exposure to the corrosive acid of the stomach.

What Are the Top 5 Probiotic Foods You Should Eat

Knowing which probiotics you should be taking is another piece of the big puzzle to ensure that your body benefits from these good living bacteria. Here are 5 probiotic-rich options that you should consider.

1.      Yogurt

One of the best in the probiotic world is live-cultured yogurt. When looking for the brand of yogurt to purchase, it’s best to choose the plain versions with active and live cultures. For instance, brands made from goat’s milk is a great choice. It’s a rich source of vitamins, proteins, and mineral with lower allergenicity and better digestibility than cow’s milk. Goat’s milk is also known to be rich in probiotics like S. thermophilus, Bifidus sp. (Bifidobacterium), and Lactobacillus bulgaricus which are good bacteria for your gut.

2.      Fermented Vegetables

Fermentable veggies such as pickles, kimchi and sauerkraut have a punch of prime probiotics. Since these vegetables underwent the process of fermentation, they are extremely rich in organic acids and enzymes which aid in digestion. Moreover, these fermented vegetables also possess the same briny goodness and probiotic potential.

3.      Kombucha

Kombucha, or fermented tea, is packed with a high amount of beneficial bacteria and B vitamins. Aficionados call it the “miracle drink” because it is believed to enhance one’s well-being, boost energy and can even help in reducing weight if combined with green tea.

4.      Miso

Miso is a traditional Japanese staple made from fermented soybean paste. It’s a salty yet flavorful seasoning used in pasta salad, apple pie or even used to make soup. Miso is also rich in probiotic content, especially Lactobacillus and Bifidus bacteria.

5.      Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is commonly known to help lower blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol level. On top of these benefits, apple cider vinegar promotes the growth of good bacteria. These good bacteria are probiotics. So, while the vinegar doesn’t contain probiotics itself, it is excellent for promoting the growth of them within the body. Just be careful not to take it in straight shots or take in excess as it may damage your teeth, upset your stomach, and burn your throat as it’s so acidic – it’s better to take it together with other foods.