Always speak with a healthcare professional before adding a supplement to your routine to ensure that the supplement is appropriate for your individual needs and to understand which dosage to take. CFU count: The CFU count in a probiotic supplement refers to the amount of live bacteria it contains. Most supplements provide 1–10 billion CFU per serving, though this can vary. Ideally, look for a product that contains at least 100 million to 1 billion CFU, which is the minimum effective daily dose for probiotics. If you aren't a fan of broccoli, you may not love the taste of this greens powder as it definitely tastes like mild broccoli flavor. The flavor isn't overpowering, but it is noticeable. We also like this blends fully in water in just a few seconds, unlike other powders that may take 20-30 seconds to thoroughly mix in. Reznichenko H, et al. (2020). Oral intake of Lactobacilli can be helpful in symptomatic bacterial vaginosis: A randomized clinical study.

Probiotics: Many greens powder contain low levels of probiotics—about the amount you'd find in yogurt (though doses vary). While you may have heard that probiotics are beneficial, there are many different types of probiotics, and currently, no clear recommendations around which strains, strain combinations, or doses the general population may benefit from taking. "We do not have good evidence of any benefits of probiotic supplements for general health. Specific probiotic strains have been clinically shown to improve a small number of gastrointestinal conditions, but these are not the bacteria you would find in a powdered greens product," says Finkel. That said, probiotics can make some digestive conditions worse, so consult with your healthcare provider before taking a supplement that contains probiotics.

But when it comes to how exactly to support our gut microbiome, things can get complicated. Nobody really knows what a 'normal' microbiome should look like and the diversity of gut bacteria varies from person to person. Wiciński M, et al. (2020). Probiotics for the treatment of overweight and obesity in humans—a review of clinical trials. When you look at the nutrition label, you'll notice the ingredients are grouped into different categories and labeled with a total amount. However, each individual ingredient amount is not listed, which may be helpful to know, especially the amounts for adaptogens. Finamore A, et al. (2019). Supplementation with Bifidobacterium longum Bar33 and Lactobacillus helveticus Bar13 mixture improves immunity in elderly humans (over 75 years) and aged mice.

The ingredients in greens powders vary significantly, so it's important to thoroughly read the label to make sure it's safe for you. Most greens powders contain more than just leafy green vegetables. Many contain grasses and alfalfa sprouts that could interact with medications or make some health concerns worse. Ceccherini C, et al. (2022). Evaluating the efficacy of probiotics in IBS treatment using a systematic review of clinical trials and multi-criteria decision analysis. However, more research is needed to understand greens powders and whether or not they offer true benefits. Please keep in mind that a great deal of the benefits of fruits and vegetables is offering nutrients in combination with dietary fiber, and greens powders usually offer little to no fiber. Greens powders cannot replace a well-balanced, varied diet, but they may be helpful to some people who aren't getting enough nutrients through food.The word ‘probiotic’ is not allowed to appear on products sold within the EU as no health claims have been accepted as proven when the evidence has been assessed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Fermented drinks, such as kombucha (a slightly sour, fizzy flavoured drink made from sweetened tea and bacterial cultures) and foods such as miso, kimchi and sauerkraut, are associated with positive digestive health, but the evidence for this is somewhat limited. Kilby K, Mathias H, Boisvenue L, Heisler C, Jones JL. Micronutrient Absorption and Related Outcomes in People with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Review. Nutrients. 2019;11(6):1388. Published 2019 Jun 20. doi:10.3390/nu11061388 Probiotics can help to maintain a healthy balance in your body. Certain types of probiotics can help to aid digestion and improve some stomach-related health concerns. 14