When Is The Best Time To Take Probiotics?

"When is the best time to take probiotics?" Don’t worry, you wouldn’t be the first person to ask this question. 

After all, timing has been a hot topic when it comes to probiotic consumption for a while. It is also a very important one in ensuring you get the most benefit from the probiotics you take, and avoid needlessly consuming probiotics when you don't!

So, when is the best time to take probiotics? In this blog post, we’ve covered everything you need to know about getting the most from your probiotic supplement. Take a look! (Hint: it’s all about survival through the stomach).

What Are Probiotics?

Let’s kick things off with the fundamentals - what are probiotics, exactly?

Probiotics are living bacteria that we ingest to restore and balance the gut. They can be found in food, taken through supplements, or consumed in beverages under the right conditions. Though probiotics are traditionally used to promote gut health, the benefits don’t stop there.

Certain strains of probiotics like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium have also been shown in studies to support the body’s immune function and digestive health.

How Do Probiotics Work?

Learning how probiotics work is essential for anyone to know the best time to take these supplements. 

After being consumed, the first stop on a probiotic’s journey is the stomach. Unfortunately, this is where a lot of bacteria is destroyed due to the acidic environment. 

For bacteria that survive the stomach acid, they’ll then pass into the intestine - this is where all the good stuff happens. In the intestine, probiotics stop the growth of bad bacteria and rebalance the microbiome.

When Is The Best Time To Take Probiotics?

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s answer that popular question - when is the best time to take probiotics? It is all dependent on the robustness of the probiotic and its ability to survive at lower pH over time. 

Traditionally (and with most on shelf probiotic products) the suggested time to take a probiotic is on an empty stomach. This is because the bacteria can pass through the stomach and reach the gut faster - slightly reducing the impact low pH stomach acids can have on the microorganisms. Take these with a meal, and their effectiveness can be drastically reduced.

Probiotics protected with micro-shield technology, on the other hand, do not necessarily have this same problem and are designed specifically to survive in lower pH environments, regardless of stomach conditions.

This technology allows for probiotic consumption not just on an empty stomach, but throughout the day (think, an ice-cold probiotic drink alongside lunch or dinner!). And let's face it, we've all had a day where we've either forgotten to take our probiotics between feeds, or would prefer to wash them down with a good meal.

How To Make Probiotics Work Better

It’s not just a question of timing when it comes to ensuring your probiotic supplement is performing at its best. There’s plenty of habits you can adopt to make your probiotics work harder. Learn how to make probiotics work better with these quick tips below!

 1. Choose The Right Probiotic 

The first step of learning how to make probiotics work better is to choose the right supplement for your gut. Sounds simple enough, right?

As you’re in the process of choosing a probiotic, there are a few things you’ll need to remember. Start by answering this question: ‘Why are you taking a probiotic?’ Are you trying to improve your gut health? Support your heart health? Knowing what you’d like to gain from a probiotic will make it easier for you to choose the right product.

Next, you’ll need to grab a probiotic with at least one billion colony-forming units (CFU). Anything less won’t be as potent. Also, ensure that your supplement contains live strains, isn’t expired, and is stored properly.

For more on picking the right probiotic for you, visit our recent blog post - How to Pick a Probiotic.

 2. Consistency Is King 

When it comes to getting the most out of a probiotic, consistency is crucial. This means taking the probiotic every day, at the same time. It sounds like a no-brainer, but it’s very easy to forget. 

Though if you want to enjoy the full range of probiotic benefits, you’ll need to stay on top of it. If you’re struggling to remember, try setting a reminder on your phone. 

 3. Improve Your Diet 

If you’re looking for ways to make your probiotics work better, one of the best things you could do is adjust your diet.

Start by limiting those foods that poorly impact your gut microbiome - this includes fried foods, artificial sugar, processed foods, and trans fats.

Instead, make the simple switch to foods that are going to nourish your gut, such as yoghurt, sauerkraut, almonds, peas, and bananas. Your gut will thank you. 

PERKii Probiotics 

Has all this probiotic talk got you feeling giddy? If you’re on the hunt for a premium probiotic to add to your daily routine, we’d suggest checking out PERKii Probiotics. 

What makes these probiotics so unique is that the bacteria strain is encased in a micro-shield. This acts as a protective vessel to the bacteria as it travels through the stomach’s acidic environment. Once the probiotics reach the intensives, the bacteria is released - allowing you to get the most from your supplement. 

Head to the online store to browse the PERKii range. 

*The information in this article should be considered as advice only. Before using probiotics, speak with a healthcare professional.