Probiotic supplements are gaining more research attention as recent studies have shown a lot of possible health advantages for taking them.
One of the possible benefits of taking probiotics is acid reflux relief. Clinical studies have shown that patients with GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, can benefit from probiotics as they may relieve some symptoms such as heartburn. They may also help with other forms of acid refluxes such as laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).
In this review, we will look at the best probiotics for acid reflux. We picked reliable brands that are making trustworthy probiotic products that may relieve reflux symptoms.
Best probiotics for acid reflux: a shortlist
- Future Kind+ — best sustainable probiotic product for acid reflux
- Aura — best gummies containing Bifidobacterium bacteria
- SuperSmart — best capsule probiotics for acid reflux
- Culturelle® — best affordable probiotic gummies
- Ora Organic — best probiotic powder for acid reflux
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Comparison of the top probiotics for acid reflux
| Brand | CFUs count per serving | Form | Servings per container | Price per container* | Live strains | Additional beneficial ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Future Kind+ Organic Vegan Probiotic Gummies | 5 billion | Gummies | 30 | $29.99 | 1 | N/A |
| Aura Daily Probiotic Gummy | 2.5 billion | Gummies | 30 | $34.95 | 2 | N/A |
| SuperSmart H Pylori fight | 20 billion | Capsules | 30 | $26.00 | 1 | N/A |
| Culturelle® Probiotic + Prebiotic Gummies | 2 billion | Gummies | 26 | $15.99 | 2 | Vitamin C |
| Ora Organic Trust Your Gut | 20 billion | Powder | 30 | $40.99 | 7 | Prebiotics |
* — Prices may be lower due to discounts or if you purchase the product with a subscription.
5 best probiotics for acid reflux in 2024: an overview
To help you choose the best probiotics for GERD or acid reflux, we picked a few reliable and trustworthy brands.
1. Future Kind+ — best sustainable probiotic gummies
Future Kind+ is an innovative supplement brand launched by certified nutritionists. The goal of Future Kind+ is to offer more sustainable alternatives to supplements we already have on the market. One of these products is Organic Vegan Probiotic Gummies — a convenient choice of probiotics for acid reflux relief.
Not only this product delivers an adequate amount of probiotics (5 billion CFUs per serving), but its gummy form allows the product to start working in the stomach where acid reflux begins. In addition, they are free of any harmful ingredients.
All products from Future Kind+ are vegan and certificated to meet the highest sustainability standards. You can expect that your order will be delivered using carbon-neutral shipment methods and packed using eco-friendly materials. In addition, Organic Vegan Probiotic Gummies are free of GMOs, wheat, yeast, and soy.
A 60 gummies container costs $29.99 without a subscription. The recommended serving per day is 2 gummies, as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Aura — best gummies with Bifidobacterium bacteria
Another gummy product on this list is Aura Daily Probiotic gummies. This product may help relieve acid reflux symptoms as it contains Bifidobacterium lactis — bacteria that were studied and observed to be effective for this condition.
In addition, the gummies are free of harmful ingredients and are sugar-free. As they are vegan-friendly and gluten-free, they can be incorporated into most people's diets. All of the ingredients are sourced in the USA.
A bottle containing 60 gummies costs $34.95. According to the manufacturer, one daily serving is 2 gummies. 2 gummies will deliver 2.5 billion CFUs.
3. SuperSmart — best capsule probiotic product for acid reflux
If you prefer to take capsule probiotics, SuperSmart H. Pylori Fight may be the best product for you. Although it was originally formulated to help patients experiencing Helicobacter pylori infections, it may be used for acid reflux as well.
SuperSmart H. Pylori Fight contains only one strain of bacteria that belongs to the Lactobacillus genus. Bacteria belonging to this genus were widely studied and clinically shown to be effective for acid reflux.
SuperSmart H. Pylori Fight capsules are made from 3 ingredients only: probiotic blend, acacia gum, and white rice flour.
One serving (or 2 capsules) of SuperSmart H. Pylori Fight delivers 20 billion CFUs. One bottle of this product costs $26 without any subscription.
4. Culturelle® — best budget-friendly probiotic gummies
Culturelle® stands as a renowned supplement brand that offers a great range of probiotic supplements, including Probiotic + Prebiotic gummies. Although it is the cheapest product on the list, it is worth consideration if you are looking for the best probiotics for acid reflux.
This supplement includes two strains of probiotics: B. subtilis and B. coagulans. Moreover, it contains prebiotic (inulin), a compound that may support the growth of good bacteria.
As these gummies are made from fruit pectin instead of gelatin, they are vegan-friendly. One serving of Culturelle® contains 1 gram of sugar and delivers 33% of the recommended daily value of vitamin C.
At the moment, 52 gummies container costs $15.99. One recommended serving (or 2 gummies in total) delivers 2 billion CFUs.
5. Ora — best probiotic powder that can help tackle acid reflux
Probiotic powders can be a great option for people trying to relieve acid reflux symptoms as they start working in the stomach. Ora Trust Your Gut is a perfect product if you prefer powdered probiotics.
The blend of Trust Your Gut consists of five Lactobacillus and two Bifidobacterium strains. Studies on acid reflux and probiotics mostly used bacteria belonging to these strains. As they have shown effectiveness in clinical trials, they are widely used for acid reflux.
Ora Trust Your Gut does not contain any other active ingredients besides probiotics and prebiotics. Prebiotics are various fibers that are used as food for the good bacteria.
All Ora products are third-party tested for product purity and safety. Because of rigorous testing, you can be sure that the label of Ora Trust Your Gut matches the product content.
A pack of Ora Trust Your Gut costs $40.99 and contains 30 servings. One serving delivers 20 billion CFUs. You can pick from two flavors: apple raspberry and lavender lemonade.
How we have compiled the top probiotics for acid reflux
Not every probiotic product is made equal. If you are looking for the best probiotics for LPR reflux, GERD or just to support your digestive system, it is good to know how to pick the best product.
Here are the criteria we used to pick products for the list.
| Formulation | Additional ingredients | CFU count | Safety | Bacterial genera |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Can start working in the stomach | Does not include unnecessary ingredients | Adequate CFU count | The manufacturer has taken various safety measures | Products contain strains that may be suitable for acid reflux |
- Formulation. We picked products that are not protected with any protective coating (such as enteric coating). Probiotics for acid reflux should start working in the stomach.
- Additional ingredients. Many probiotic products on the market contain various ingredients that are not necessary for acid reflux such as additional vitamins. We looked for probiotics that have minimalistic ingredients.
- CFU count. CFU stands for colony-forming units. This number conveys the number of alive and active bacteria in one serving of a probiotic product. We picked products with adequate CFU count.
- Safety. We have preferred products that are tested by third-party laboratories, are transparent about their suppliers, or are made in GMP-certified facilities.
- Bacterial genera. As most research was conducted on acid reflux and probiotics with Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria genera, we preferred probiotics that include these bacterial strains.
What is acid reflux?
Acid reflux is a condition when some of the acid found in the stomach backflows into the esophagus. These stomach acids are needed for digestion, so our stomachs are protected by a protective layer. The esophagus, on the other hand, is not — thus when these acids reach it, it can cause various problems.
The most common symptom of acid reflux is heartburn — burning pain in your chest area. It usually worsens after eating and laying down.
In addition to heartburn, you may also experience a bitter taste in your mouth, regurgitation, and difficulty swallowing.
If acid reflux happens often, it can be a sign that you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Can probiotics help with acid reflux?
Research indicates that probiotics could be useful for patients with acid reflux.
A systematic review of studies done on GERD patients taking probiotics concluded that probiotics may help relieve various acid reflux symptoms such as heartburn and acid backwash. In addition, probiotics could potentially ease nausea, burping, and abdominal pain.
Some studies show that probiotics can relieve the side effects such as small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) of other medications used to treat acid reflux.
In general, probiotics are not used to cure GERD or acid reflux but only to alleviate some symptoms common in these conditions. Always follow your doctor’s recommendations and follow your treatment plan as intended.
The pros and cons of using probiotics for acid reflux
Before starting to use any supplement, it is best to consider all pros and cons. We have picked a few things you should consider before purchasing probiotics for acid reflux.
Benefits
Numerous benefits are linked to probiotics.
Some studies have shown that probiotics taken in patients with GERD can ease the symptoms of heartburn, regurgitation, dyspepsia, nausea, and abdominal pain. Probiotics may also relieve side effects caused by proton-pump inhibitors, a class of drugs used to treat stomach acid-related disorders, including GERD.
In addition to the benefits for people experiencing acid reflux, probiotics in general can also have other positive effects. Probiotics are often used to help to keep a balance between good and bad bacteria in the gut. An imbalance can cause gas, bloating, constipation, and other symptoms related to digestion. Taking probiotics can relieve these symptoms.
Risks and side effects
Although probiotic dietary supplements are considered safe for most people, they too can cause some adverse effects. Sometimes probiotics can cause bloating, flatulence (gas), diarrhea, or mildly upset stomach.
These side effects tend to gradually decrease when the body adjusts to the dietary supplement. If they don’t or you are experiencing more severe side effects, please contact your doctor to assess your situation and do not take probiotics unsupervised.
Dosage guidelines for probiotics for acid reflux
The limited research on the use of probiotics for acid reflux does not allow general dosing recommendations for this indication.
Clinical trials thus far included the administration of probiotics in a range of 50 million to 46 billion CFUs. Some trials administered probiotics daily while others used twice-weekly dosing. Because of these reasons, there is not enough data to suggest the general dosage for acid reflux.
You should always consult your healthcare practitioner before starting taking probiotics for acid reflux.
Can probiotics make acid reflux worse?
It is unlikely that probiotic dietary supplements could make acid reflux worse. On the contrary, studies have suggested that probiotics could potentially relieve acid reflux symptoms.
On the other hand, when you start taking probiotics, initially you may experience some side effects that are similar to acid reflux symptoms such as bloating and gas.
After your body adjusts to probiotics, these side effects should go away completely. In case you have more persistent side effects or they are more severe, please contact your healthcare provider.
Best probiotics for acid reflux — conclusion
If you have decided to try probiotics for acid reflux, it is advisable to look for products that can deliver probiotics to the stomach. Most probiotic products are made with a protective coating and might not help with acid reflux as they only start working in the intestines.
To help you choose the best probiotic for acid reflux we compiled a list of the products that are more likely to start working in the stomach.
Keep in mind that probiotics are not used as the main treatment for acid reflux but only as an adjunct therapy. Always follow your healthcare provider’s directions.
Explore other probiotics and their benefits
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FAQ
Should you take probiotics if you have acid reflux?
If you have acid reflux, you could benefit from taking probiotic products. Probiotics could help you minimize the symptoms of acid reflux such as heartburn. Studies have shown positive effects in patients who have GERD.
When is the best time to take probiotics for acid reflux?
It depends. One study has shown that Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium (the most common strains in probiotics for acid reflux) survive best if taken 30 minutes before the meal. It is best to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer or consult a healthcare provider for a more precise timing regime.
Can probiotics cure or temporarily relieve acid reflux?
Probiotic dietary supplements do not cure acid reflux. They can, however, help to alleviate some symptoms of acid reflux such as heartburn. Probiotics could be combined with medical treatment to ease the recovery.
Who should avoid probiotics for acid reflux?
Probiotic dietary supplements should not be taken by people who have a weakened immune system or any other serious health condition. If you have any concerns, it is best to contact your healthcare provider.
8 resources
- Nutrients. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Probiotics: A Systematic Review.
- Journal of Translational Medicine. Influence of Diet on the Gut Microbiome and Implications for Human Health.
- Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility. Is It Useful to Administer Probiotics Together With Proton Pump Inhibitors in Children With Gastroesophageal Reflux?
- Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. Correlation between chronic treatment with proton pump inhibitors and bacterial overgrowth in the stomach: any possible beneficial role for selected lactobacilli?
- Nutrients. Effects of the Human Gut Microbiota on Cognitive Performance, Brain Structure and Function: A Narrative Review.
- Frontiers in Neurology. Effects of Probiotics on Depressive or Anxiety Variables in Healthy Participants Under Stress Conditions or With a Depressive or Anxiety Diagnosis: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
- Phytotherapy research. A systematic review of the clinical use of Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) to ameliorate cognitive dysfunction.
- Beneficial Microbes. The impact of meals on a probiotic during transit through a model of the human upper gastrointestinal tract.
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