The Best Time of Day to Take Probiotics, According to Science

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBest Time to Take ThemWhen to Take ThemHow to Take ThemSigns They Are WorkingSigns They Are Not WorkingWhen to Avoid

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Best Time to Take Them

When to Take Them

How to Take Them

Signs They Are Working

Signs They Are Not Working

When to Avoid

Probiotics are live microorganisms (such as bacteria and yeast) that have health benefits, especially for your digestive system. That is because probiotics may have an effect on the gutmicrobiome, which is made up of all the microorganisms that live in the digestive tract. Probiotics are found in some foods like yogurt and kombucha, as well as probiotic supplements.

People often takeprobioticsfor digestive conditions such asdiarrhea,constipation, orirritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and other health concerns. It is not clear, though, as to which types of probiotics are best for which conditions, what time of day to take probiotics, or whether probiotics need to be taken with food. Thus, a probiotic regimen requires a bit of trial and error, which can be best navigated with the help of a healthcare provider.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.

When Is the Best Time to Take Probiotics?

There’s not much evidence that shows the best time to take probiotics, so schedule it when it’s most convenient for you to remember to take it.If you experience symptoms after taking a probiotic, you can try changing the time of day you take the probiotic or taking the probiotic with a meal. If it’s recommended to take the probiotic with food, take it with the same meal each day (such as breakfast).

Check with a healthcare provider if it makes sense to take a probiotic at a different time of day from other medications. For example, they might recommend not taking it at the same time as an antibiotic, as that drug might kill the probiotic organisms.What might be most important is to take the probiotic consistently and to take it for the recommended amount of time.

When to Take Probiotics: Morning or Night?

Most clinical trials on probiotics don’t include the time of day the supplements were taken, such as first thing in the morning or before bedtime. This could mean that researchers don’t expect time of day to have much of an impact.The best time to take a probiotic might be the time when it’s most convenient to take it. A probiotic that isn’t taken because it is forgotten won’t have any opportunity to work.Talk with a healthcare provider about how to take a probiotic. In addition, every probiotic will have its own instructions on how best to take it. Probiotics are made using various methods and with different ways of encapsulation, such as coatings on capsules to protect the contents from stomach acid or to allow timed release.

The product label should give details on when is the best time to take the probiotic, whether it should be taken with or without a meal or with milk or other foods, and if it’s most effective when taken in the morning or at night.

Tips on Starting a ProbioticWhen starting a probiotic:Ask a healthcare provider for advice on which probiotic to take (such as a particular strain or brand).Read the label carefully to understand when and how to take it.Take the probiotic at the same time each day.Assess how you feel after you take it.Consider keeping a symptom diary to track progress.

Tips on Starting a Probiotic

When starting a probiotic:Ask a healthcare provider for advice on which probiotic to take (such as a particular strain or brand).Read the label carefully to understand when and how to take it.Take the probiotic at the same time each day.Assess how you feel after you take it.Consider keeping a symptom diary to track progress.

When starting a probiotic:

How to Take Probiotics

Probiotics come in several forms:

One of the main issues with oral probiotics is how to keep them alive long enough to go through the acidic stomach environment and the small intestine to reach thecolon, where they are thought to have the most effect.

The takeaway is that there’s no one agreed-upon way to take a probiotic. It should be based on each individual’s needs, how they structure their day, and if the probiotics are causing any side effects.

Starting a Probiotic

Signs Probiotics Are Working for You

Whether a probiotic might help with symptoms will depend on a number of factors, such as the strains, formulation, dosage, and the condition being addressed.In general, one measure of whether a probiotic is working is that symptoms start to improve. However, you should keep in mind that the probiotic might not be the reason for the improvement.

Signs Probiotics Are Not Working for You

If you are taking a probiotic supplement, check the label to see how long the manufacturer recommends taking it to experience benefits. See your healthcare provider if your symptoms continue or do not improve. If you have a health condition or concerning symptoms, do not take probiotics instead of seeing a healthcare provider.

If your healthcare provider has recommended a probiotic, ask your provider when you can expect to see results and what signs may indicate the probiotic is working. If there’s no noticeable change in that time period, ask whether you need to change the strain or discontinue taking probiotics.

Any adverse effects that occur after starting a probiotic, such as a headache, bloating, or excessgas, are a reason to ask a healthcare provider about changing the probiotic or stopping it.

Adverse EffectsProbiotics are largely thought to be safe. However, they are living organisms that can grow and colonize in ways that aren’t intended. When using a probiotic, you may experience rare adverse events, including infections, especially if you are immunocompromised.For that reason, it’s important for anyone with a health condition who wants to take probiotics to first ensure that it is safe to do so.

Adverse Effects

Probiotics are largely thought to be safe. However, they are living organisms that can grow and colonize in ways that aren’t intended. When using a probiotic, you may experience rare adverse events, including infections, especially if you are immunocompromised.For that reason, it’s important for anyone with a health condition who wants to take probiotics to first ensure that it is safe to do so.

Probiotics are largely thought to be safe. However, they are living organisms that can grow and colonize in ways that aren’t intended. When using a probiotic, you may experience rare adverse events, including infections, especially if you are immunocompromised.

For that reason, it’s important for anyone with a health condition who wants to take probiotics to first ensure that it is safe to do so.

Who Should Not Take Probiotics?

Probiotics usually don’t cause any serious problems. Minor symptoms in some people include gas, as well as infections, though infections are uncommon.

However, there are some people who might be at a greater risk of having a bad outcome. People who are very ill or who have a compromised immune system may not be good candidates for probiotics. The World Gastroenterology Organisation recommends against people with serious diseases or a compromised immune system taking probiotics.

Summary

For those who want to try probiotics, asking a healthcare provider will be the best way to get advice before exploring the option. The time of day probiotics are taken and if they should be taken with a meal will depend on the strain and on the manufacturer’s recommendation.

Benefits should be noticed within a few weeks. Probiotics are safe for most people, but those who have serious illnesses or are immunocompromised may be at a greater risk of complications.

10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Fact sheet for health professionals: probiotics.Aragón-Rojas S, Hernández-Álvarez AJ, Mainville I, et al.Effect of the carrier material, drying technology and dissolution media on the viability ofLactobacillus fermentumK73 during simulated gastrointestinal transit.Food Funct. 2020;11:2339–2348. doi:10.1039/c9fo01091b.Toscano M, De Grandi R, Stronati L, De Vecchi E, Drago L.Effect ofLactobacillus rhamnosusHN001 andBifidobacterium longumBB536 on the healthy gut microbiota composition at phyla and species level: A preliminary study.World J Gastroenterol.2017;23:2696-2704. doi:10.3748/wjg.v23.i15.2696Yoha KS, Nida S, Dutta S, Moses JA, Anandharamakrishnan C.Targeted delivery of probiotics: perspectives on research and commercialization.Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins.2022;14:15-48. doi:10.1007/s12602-021-09791-7.Sniffen JC, McFarland LV, Evans CT, Goldstein EJC.Choosing an appropriate probiotic product for your patient: An evidence-based practical guide. PLoS One. 2018;13(12):e0209205. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0209205National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Probiotics: what you need to know.Wang Z, He Y, Zheng Y.Probiotics for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis: a meta-analysis.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(20):3859. doi:10.3390/ijerph16203859National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Probiotics.Doron S, Snydman DR.Risk and safety of probiotics.Clin Infect Dis.2015;60 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):S129-S134. doi:10.1093/cid/civ085.World Gastroenterology Organisation.Probiotics and prebiotics.Additional ReadingInternational Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics.Decoding a Probiotic Product Label. Feb 11, 2022.National Institutes of Health.Fact Sheet for Consumers: Probiotics. Nov 29, 2022.

10 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Fact sheet for health professionals: probiotics.Aragón-Rojas S, Hernández-Álvarez AJ, Mainville I, et al.Effect of the carrier material, drying technology and dissolution media on the viability ofLactobacillus fermentumK73 during simulated gastrointestinal transit.Food Funct. 2020;11:2339–2348. doi:10.1039/c9fo01091b.Toscano M, De Grandi R, Stronati L, De Vecchi E, Drago L.Effect ofLactobacillus rhamnosusHN001 andBifidobacterium longumBB536 on the healthy gut microbiota composition at phyla and species level: A preliminary study.World J Gastroenterol.2017;23:2696-2704. doi:10.3748/wjg.v23.i15.2696Yoha KS, Nida S, Dutta S, Moses JA, Anandharamakrishnan C.Targeted delivery of probiotics: perspectives on research and commercialization.Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins.2022;14:15-48. doi:10.1007/s12602-021-09791-7.Sniffen JC, McFarland LV, Evans CT, Goldstein EJC.Choosing an appropriate probiotic product for your patient: An evidence-based practical guide. PLoS One. 2018;13(12):e0209205. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0209205National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Probiotics: what you need to know.Wang Z, He Y, Zheng Y.Probiotics for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis: a meta-analysis.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(20):3859. doi:10.3390/ijerph16203859National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Probiotics.Doron S, Snydman DR.Risk and safety of probiotics.Clin Infect Dis.2015;60 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):S129-S134. doi:10.1093/cid/civ085.World Gastroenterology Organisation.Probiotics and prebiotics.Additional ReadingInternational Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics.Decoding a Probiotic Product Label. Feb 11, 2022.National Institutes of Health.Fact Sheet for Consumers: Probiotics. Nov 29, 2022.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Fact sheet for health professionals: probiotics.Aragón-Rojas S, Hernández-Álvarez AJ, Mainville I, et al.Effect of the carrier material, drying technology and dissolution media on the viability ofLactobacillus fermentumK73 during simulated gastrointestinal transit.Food Funct. 2020;11:2339–2348. doi:10.1039/c9fo01091b.Toscano M, De Grandi R, Stronati L, De Vecchi E, Drago L.Effect ofLactobacillus rhamnosusHN001 andBifidobacterium longumBB536 on the healthy gut microbiota composition at phyla and species level: A preliminary study.World J Gastroenterol.2017;23:2696-2704. doi:10.3748/wjg.v23.i15.2696Yoha KS, Nida S, Dutta S, Moses JA, Anandharamakrishnan C.Targeted delivery of probiotics: perspectives on research and commercialization.Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins.2022;14:15-48. doi:10.1007/s12602-021-09791-7.Sniffen JC, McFarland LV, Evans CT, Goldstein EJC.Choosing an appropriate probiotic product for your patient: An evidence-based practical guide. PLoS One. 2018;13(12):e0209205. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0209205National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Probiotics: what you need to know.Wang Z, He Y, Zheng Y.Probiotics for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis: a meta-analysis.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(20):3859. doi:10.3390/ijerph16203859National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Probiotics.Doron S, Snydman DR.Risk and safety of probiotics.Clin Infect Dis.2015;60 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):S129-S134. doi:10.1093/cid/civ085.World Gastroenterology Organisation.Probiotics and prebiotics.

National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Fact sheet for health professionals: probiotics.

Aragón-Rojas S, Hernández-Álvarez AJ, Mainville I, et al.Effect of the carrier material, drying technology and dissolution media on the viability ofLactobacillus fermentumK73 during simulated gastrointestinal transit.Food Funct. 2020;11:2339–2348. doi:10.1039/c9fo01091b.

Toscano M, De Grandi R, Stronati L, De Vecchi E, Drago L.Effect ofLactobacillus rhamnosusHN001 andBifidobacterium longumBB536 on the healthy gut microbiota composition at phyla and species level: A preliminary study.World J Gastroenterol.2017;23:2696-2704. doi:10.3748/wjg.v23.i15.2696

Yoha KS, Nida S, Dutta S, Moses JA, Anandharamakrishnan C.Targeted delivery of probiotics: perspectives on research and commercialization.Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins.2022;14:15-48. doi:10.1007/s12602-021-09791-7.

Sniffen JC, McFarland LV, Evans CT, Goldstein EJC.Choosing an appropriate probiotic product for your patient: An evidence-based practical guide. PLoS One. 2018;13(12):e0209205. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0209205

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Probiotics: what you need to know.

Wang Z, He Y, Zheng Y.Probiotics for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis: a meta-analysis.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(20):3859. doi:10.3390/ijerph16203859

National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Probiotics.

Doron S, Snydman DR.Risk and safety of probiotics.Clin Infect Dis.2015;60 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):S129-S134. doi:10.1093/cid/civ085.

World Gastroenterology Organisation.Probiotics and prebiotics.

International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics.Decoding a Probiotic Product Label. Feb 11, 2022.National Institutes of Health.Fact Sheet for Consumers: Probiotics. Nov 29, 2022.

International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics.Decoding a Probiotic Product Label. Feb 11, 2022.

National Institutes of Health.Fact Sheet for Consumers: Probiotics. Nov 29, 2022.

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