Probiotic supplements promise better digestion, immunity, and gut health — but not all strains deliver. We tested five popular probiotic products over thirty days, evaluating CFU viability, strain diversity, digestive comfort, and any noticeable health improvements.
Products with 50 billion CFU and ten or more strains showed the most noticeable improvements in digestive regularity within two weeks. Single-strain products were less effective for general gut comfort but targeted specific issues well. Shelf-stable formulations proved convenient without refrigeration, though two products tested below labeled CFU counts in independent lab analysis.
The best overall value delivered 50 billion CFU across twelve strains in a shelf-stable capsule, with noticeable digestive improvement by week two. For those with specific sensitivities, a targeted single-strain product may be better despite the narrower spectrum.
