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The Best Digestive Health Supplement

Last updated on October 9, 2020

We looked at the top 7 Digestive Health Supplements and dug through the reviews from 30 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Digestive Health Supplements.

Best Probiotic

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If you’re having stomach issues, a digestive health supplement might just be your savior. Digestive health supplements, also sometimes referred to as probiotics, are live, good-for-you bacteria that, among other things, help send food through your digestive system and contribute to digestive health and wellness.Your body is full of bacteria — both good and bad — and having the right balance is the key to optimal human health. You can up the amount of good bacteria in your gut through fermented food, like yogurt or kimchi, or through supplements (or both).

Supplements are the most reliable way to get good bacteria into your gastrointestinal system. Health coach and registered dietitian Jessica Cording says that while you can obtain probiotics through fermented foods, supplements are recommended to cover gaps in the diet and reliably address health concerns.

Cording says they can address health concerns like diarrhea, constipation or bloating, and some practitioners may recommend them to support other treatments for specific conditions. Having the right combination of gut bacteria is linked to several health benefits, including weight loss, improved digestion, enhanced immune systems and even healthier skin.

Probiotics come from different sources. Check the label on your probiotic supplement if you have dietary restrictions or allergies. For example, some supplements are vegan, gluten-free and GMO-free. However, others may contain animal products and is not suitable for vegans, vegetarians or those with seafood allergies. Always do your research before you buy.

Probiotic supplements are also recommended when someone is on antibiotics.

“Those medications kill the bad bacteria but also the good, so supplementing probiotics helps repopulate the GI tract with the beneficial bacteria,” Cording says.

As you browse the shelves at your local pharmacy or health food store, you can find probiotic supplements in a variety of forms. Consider probiotic powders, liquid and capsule supplements and consider ease of use when choosing which form to buy.

Powders and liquids can be added to juices or smoothies for an added health boost. The odorless Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Powder, for example, is easily added to foods and beverages with a neutral taste and minimal impact on flavor. Some reviewers noted a strange taste and smell, but the company assures that any flavored food or beverage will mask that. Fruity smoothies, in particular, do a great job at hiding not-so-great flavors, so make sure to add a scoop of probiotics into your blender the next time you whip one up.

Capsules, on the other hand, can be taken anywhere, anytime. That makes them great for the health-conscious but always-on-the-go consumer. You can take your daily dose before you rush out the door in the morning, or keep a stash in your office. This form of supplement is the ultimate convenience.

Our Picks For The Top Digestive Health Supplements

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Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Best Overall

Smarter Nutrition Daily Natural Multi-Digestive Enzyme Aid

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Smarter Nutrition

Daily Natural Multi-Digestive Enzyme Aid

This digestive health supplement utilizes a high-grade blend of 16 important enzymes. The enzymes work together to aid your body in absorbing nutrients. Your body will enjoy a stronger immune system, increased energy and less bloating.

Overall Take

Organic IngredientsIn addition to being allergy free, this digestive health supplement also works to reduce food allergens.

 Great for Cleanses

NATURELO Digestive Health Probiotic Supplement

NATURELO

Digestive Health Probiotic Supplement

Inside this digestive health supplement are 11 probiotic strains with 50 billion active cultures. With regular use, you'll experience a healthier gut that reduces both cramps and bloating. The formula also works well with both weight loss and cleansing programs.

Overall Take

Delayed ReleaseThis digestive health supplement is vegan friendly and free of soy, GMOs and gluten.

 Bloat-Reducing

MAV Nutrition Probiotics + Prebiotics Supplement

MAV Nutrition

Probiotics + Prebiotics Supplement

The combination of prebiotics and probiotics in this supplement call for increased digestive benefits, including reduced bloating and improved breakdown of protein, carbs, and fats. With premium ingredients, these one-a-day capsules will ensure you're getting optimal health benefits.

Overall Take

Dual-Action VitaminThis digestive health supplement is a one-a-day capsule with both prebiotics and probiotics to cover all the bases of a healthy gut.

Pros
" This product contains nothing but organic components, and it is free from gelatin, making it suitable for vegetarians. Aside from supporting your digestion, it also helps enhance the health of your immune system."
 Best for Smoothies

Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein Supplement

Ancient Nutrition

Multi Collagen Protein Supplement

This tasteless and odorless digestive health supplement is a great way to add a boost to morning or post-workout smoothies. It promotes a healthy weight, making this supplement a great addition to your diet. This powder contains five different types of collagen from hydrolyzed eggshell, fish, bovine, and chicken sources to cover your bases and opti...

Overall Take

Optimal Dietary SupplementThis digestive health supplement is a great dietary supplement to give an added healthy boost to smoothies, shakes and more.

Pros
" One serving of the formula provides 9 grams of protein and contains only 35 calories. Users report that it also helps to suppress appetite, so it’s a good choice if you’re trying to shed some pounds. This unflavored formula mixes..."
Cons
"It might also taste or smell a bit weird, even though it’s advertised as tasteless and odorless."
Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
14

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the digestive health supplements available to purchase.
7

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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30

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: Happy Body Formula, Review Meta, Made With Oils, 10 Best Product, Fitness Volt.

19,850

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 7 Digestive Health Supplements and also dug through the reviews from 30 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Digestive Health Supplements.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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Our Expert Consultant

Jessica Cording   
Registered dietitian and health coach

Jessica Cording, MS, RD, CDN, INHC is a registered dietitian, health coach and writer. Through her writing, consulting, public speaking, and counseling, she works with individuals, corporations, and the media to help make drama-free healthy living approachable and enjoyable. She is a part of the mindbodygreen Collective and author of “The Little Book of Game-Changers: 50 Healthy Habits For Managing Stress & Anxiety” (Viva Editions). She also creates guided meditations for Simple Habit.

 

What to Look For

  • Always consult your doctor before trying a probiotic supplement, no matter how good-for-you one sounds. It’s important to understand how specific strains will impact you, and sometimes they can have unpleasant side effects. Your primary care doctor will be able to look at your past and present ailments and point you towards the best supplement for your body.
  • When you’re not using your supplements, store them in a cool, dry place. Some supplements require refrigeration, so be sure to check the instructions on the packaging before storing.
  • Capsules are great for traveling. If you’re headed on a trip but want to make sure your health is in tip-top shape, consider opting for a capsule probiotic supplement like the ones from MAV Nutrition or Onnit. Other supplements come with individually packaged servings, so you can easily tuck them into your suitcase.
  • Some strains of probiotics are heart-healthy. They can lower your body’s blood pressure and LDL, also known has bad cholesterol, by breaking down bile in your gastrointestinal system.
  • If you have allergies, you may be in luck. Try a probiotic supplement. Some strains may reduce the severity of allergic reactions.
  • Price is always a factor when considering a new purchase. But keep ingredients in mind, too, and make sure you’re getting a healthy supplement for your money. Compare different brands to find the best bang for your buck, and ask your doctor for tips to help you along the way. Often the less processed probiotic supplements are the least costly. That’s why the liquid versions are a more affordable pick.
  • Consider ease of use when selecting your probiotic supplement. If you like to drink healthy smoothies or shakes for breakfast, a powder formula may be your best bet. On the other hand, if you prefer grab-and-go options, choose a capsule supplement. Sustainable supplement habits depend on your lifestyle.
  • Losing weight is often associated with taking probiotic supplements since they help with digestion and promote regular bowel movements. Reviewers like the Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein Supplement for that reason. It contains a hefty amount of protein with very little calories, making the powder a great addition to a post-workout shake to replace your usual protein powder.
  • Some supplements offer health benefits beyond those related to probiotics. For example, some supplements offer gluten sensitivity, enhanced mental clarity, and a strengthened immune function.
  • There are different types of probiotic strains that each come with different benefits. The most common probiotic strain is called Lactobacillus, which is the type often found in foods like yogurt, sauerkraut and kimchi. Cording says each type does something slightly different, so having a variety of strains in your supplement allows you to cover more bases. Look for a supplement that has five strains of probiotics, prebiotics, and enzymes to protect against all your digestion woes.
  • Government regulation of probiotics in the U.S. is complex. Some supplements are FDA approved, while many are not and they’re sold as dietary supplements, which do not require FDA approval before they are marketed.  All of our favorites in this list have a disclaimer saying the statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.
  • Being inundated with a cold is never fun. And who has time for that? Definitely not you. Probiotics to the rescue! Probiotics can help boost your immune system and some have been shown to promote the production of your body’s natural cold-fighting antibodies.
  • Look at ingredients to get the highest-quality supplement. If eating organic is important to you, the MAV Nutrition Probiotics + Prebiotics Supplement is a good choice because it contains all organic components.
  • Probiotic supplements are generally considered safe by health experts because they already exist naturally in the body. But they could cause side effects, especially within the first few days of taking them. Those could include allergic reactions, mild stomach upset, diarrhea, and bloating.
  • Probiotics can improve some mental health issues. Research shows that taking probiotics may help to alleviate symptoms of mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and stress.
  • While you might find them on the same shelf at the store, prebiotics are not the same as probiotics. Prebiotics don’t actually contain bacteria. They are nondigestible food components from foods like bananas, onions, garlic, beans, and more. Prebiotic fiber travels through the small intestine undigested and is then fermented when it reaches the large colon. The fermentation process feeds beneficial bacteria colonies (like probiotics) and helps to increase the amount of good-for-you bacteria in your GI tract. The supplement from MAV Nutrition has both prebiotics and probiotics that work together.

Digestive Health Supplement Rankings

2. NATURELO Digestive Health Probiotic Supplement

Overall Score: 9.2
Reviews Included: 1

3. MAV Nutrition Probiotics + Prebiotics Supplement

Overall Score: 9.1
Reviews Included: 4

4. Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein Supplement

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 13

5. Restore Gut Digestive Health Supplement

Overall Score: 8.6
Reviews Included: 6

6. Pure Therapro Rx Leaky Gut Defense Supplement

Overall Score: 8.5
Reviews Included: 5

7. Onnit Total Gut Health Supplement

Overall Score: 8.5
Reviews Included: 13

More to Explore

Probiotics have a rich history. The ancient Greeks and Romans understood the health impact of probiotics and often consumed cheese and fermented foods to reap their benefits. But the modern history of probiotics began in the 1900s when a Russian scientist, Elie Metchnikoff, began researching their effect on human health.

Metchnikoff associated the longevity of rural Bulgarian people to the regular consumption of fermented dairy products like yogurt. He then linked this to a specific bacteria strain found in the food and suggested that it may inhibit the bodily process that contributes to illness and aging.

This theory led to the creation and development of the first dairy industry in Europe to utilize fermented milk. But scientists generally lacked interest in the science behind probiotics.

In the 1990s, a new generation of technologically advanced scientists began researching the gut microbiome. And in 2001, the World Health Organization issued a formal definition of the term probiotic, which kickstarted more research.

As scientists learned about individual microbial strains, the probiotics industry began blossoming. Now, it’s difficult to resist their promised health benefits. Scientists were able to separate strains and transform them into supplements, like the ones we see on our health food store shelves today.

More to explore