As consumers continue to become more aware of the way drink choices impact their overall health, it’s no surprise the probiotic drink market is skyrocketing.(1) With a variety of impressive health benefits and an ingredient list that will put a can of soda to shame, probiotic drinks give health-conscious sippers an option that satisfies.
Drinks That Do Good: Health Benefits of Probiotic Drinks
What are probiotics? Probiotics are beneficial, live microorganisms. They contain the good, helpful bacteria that have essential jobs in your body, including supporting digestion. They’re found in fermented food and beverages and are fantastic for supporting overall health.
Probiotic Drinks Can:
1. Strengthen Gut Health
The gut microbiome is an important community of microorganisms that live in and on your body. When it’s happy, your body is happy. Benefits of probiotic drinks include supporting the gut microbiome by adding to the number and diversity of healthy bacteria you need to thrive.
Studies have shown probiotics can help with a variety of gastrointestinal issues (2) like:
Constipation: Support a healthy gut and aid in regulating the digestive process with probiotics. Nobody likes to be constipated!
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea: If you have to take an antibiotic, probiotics are an excellent preventative measure to combat some of the unpleasant side effects that often come with the medication.
Ulcerative Colitis: Probiotics can help minimize symptoms, including abdominal pain, brought on by this common inflammatory bowel disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Typical symptoms of IBS – like pain and cramping, unpredictable bowel habits, and bloating or swelling – may decrease with probiotics.
2. Support Mental Health
Not only is the gut microbiome essential to gut health, it turns out that it’s also closely linked to mental health. (3) This connection, called the gut-brain axis, means your gut and nervous system are in constant communication – what’s good for one is good for the other.
Research has found that probiotics may:
Lower stress: When you’re stressed, the level of cortisol in your body increases. Probiotics can help reduce cortisol, lowering stress and improving the psychological symptoms that can come with it. (4)
Decrease anxiety: Ongoing gastrointestinal issues can trigger anxiety and depression – and vice versa – so supporting your gut health is a great way to protect your mental health. (3)
Boost mood: Scientists estimate that about 90% of serotonin is made in the gut. In fact, the gut is sometimes called the second brain! Since serotonin is responsible for feelings of long-lasting happiness and well-being, your mood can depend a lot on the health of your gut microbiome. (3)
3. Boost Immune System
Probiotics can help regulate your body’s immune response because they can improve the function of your mucosal immune system (5). The mucosal immune system protects your respiratory tract, nasal passages, and intestines.
Studies have shown probiotics can offer an immune boost to improve allergic responses including (6):
Asthma: For intermittent asthma, probiotics can help strengthen your immune system to decrease common symptoms and increase quality of life.
Eczema: By helping develop a robust immune system, probiotics can decrease the symptoms of eczema including itchiness, sensitivity, and dry, cracked skin.
Rhinitis: Reactions to allergens you take in through the air are improved when your mucosal immune system is strong. Probiotics may decrease sensitivity to allergens, which can mean less sneezing; less stuffy, runny nose; and less itchy eyes and throat.
Which One Is Best For You?
With more people loving the benefits of probiotic drinks, the variety of these tasty + healthy sipping options are increasing! Whether you’re shopping the grocery store aisles, farmer’s market stands, or online beverage sites, there’s something for everyone.
You know you want all the benefits of probiotic drinks, but it’s important to check labels to make sure you’re not getting things you don’t want.
Sugar? When you’re aiming for a healthful drink, one that contains a lot of added sugar isn’t going to do you any favors. Be sure to read ingredient labels and check nutrition facts to know exactly what you’re getting along with your probiotics. A probiotic drink is already a huge step up from soda, but if you can enjoy one without all the extra sugar – even better!
Dairy? Of course if you have a serious dairy sensitivity, dairy-based probiotic drinks might not be up your alley. Also, if you’re using a probiotic drink to help restore gut health during or after being sick or taking an antibiotic, dairy can be a bit harder on your digestive system. However, fermented dairy products (such as kefir) will likely be easier on digestion than dairy that’s not fermented.
Caffeine? While you may love the pick-me-up that comes with a caffeine boost, there are lots of good reasons to be mindful of drinks that contain caffeine.
Many people don't know that kombucha, one of the most common probiotic drinks out there, is made using tea. This means almost all kombucha contains caffeine. Some kombucha companies even add extra tea or pure caffeine – sometimes as much as 66mg per serving, which is almost as much as a cup of coffee! Always read labels to be sure you know what you're drinking.
Will you be drinking your probiotic beverage later in the day and want to maintain good sleep hygiene? Are you looking for kid-friendly drinks, so need to avoid caffeine? Have you kicked that caffeine habit and prefer life without it?
We’re Here For You!
At Good Wolf, we understand the benefits of probiotic drinks and we’re proud to support your health and wellness.
Our core offering is a delicious Probiotic Refresher which is similar to kombucha, but smoother – less acidic and with a gentler carbonation. The base for our drinks is organic apple juice fermented with live cultures and sea salt. We then blend in juices, herbs, and other clean ingredients for unparalleled flavor combinations with countless benefits. Good Wolf Probiotic Refreshers are caffeine-free, have no added sugar, and each 12 oz can of Good Wolf contains two billion live probiotics.
Shop our collection of irresistible flavors to find your favorite probiotic drink that will make your gut as happy as your taste buds!
References:
- Mordor Intelligence:Probiotics Drink Market
- National Institute of Health: Probiotics: What you need to know
- Harvard Health Publishing: Probiotics may help boost mood and cognitive function
- National Institute of Health: Gut Biome and Mental Health: Do probiotics work?
- National Institute of Health: Probiotics and immune health
- National Institute of Health: Probiotics as a possible strategy for prevention and treatment of allergies