When Is the Best Time to Take Probiotics?

If you want to optimize your health and well-being, you may consider supplementing with probiotics. These beneficial bacteria have the potential to enhance your gut microbiome, improve your digestion, and strengthen your immune system. As a result, four million Americans take probiotics regularly.

While probiotics offer many benefits, their efficacy depends on their quality and how you use them. By taking high-quality probiotic supplements correctly, you can increase the chances that they have their intended effects.

So, when is the best time to take probiotics? Below, we’ll see what the science says about probiotic timing and outline some best practices for implementing the right probiotic supplement into your daily routine.

Understanding Probiotic Timing

As with many areas of science, the optimal probiotic timing isn’t clear cut—some experts suggest taking probiotics on an empty stomach, while others promote consuming them alongside a meal. Here are the reasons behind these recommendations:

• Take them on an empty stomach – As you consume food, your stomach secretes gastric acids to help break it down. Unfortunately, stomach acid can kill certain probiotic strains. Thus, some experts believe that consuming probiotics on an empty stomach may help increase their survival rate.
• Take them with a meal – Another popular school of thought is that taking probiotics with a meal can improve their absorption. Advocates of this theory believe that food may act as a buffer against stomach acid, insulating the probiotics as they travel from your stomach to your intestines.

While both of these theories have merit, stomach acid doesn’t pose a serious threat to all types of probiotics. That’s because many supplements feature enteric coatings that protect the probiotics from stomach acid and enhance their delivery to the small intestine by up to 40-fold.

For probiotics without enteric coatings, consuming them with fats may provide similar protection. One study suggests that non-coated supplements are most effective when taken before or with a fatty meal, as the fats help create a protective barrier around the probiotics.

Does Timing Really Matter?

According to a 2017 clinical trial published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, probiotic timing may not matter in the long run. This study examined how the timing of probiotic administration impacted their effectiveness, including their ability to colonize in the gut and improve gut flora composition. One group of participants took their probiotics 30 minutes before breakfast, while the other group took theirs 30 minutes after.

The results? Probiotic timing had no significant effects on the efficacy of supplementation. Both groups experienced increases in beneficial bacteria and reductions in harmful bacteria. Based on these findings, you can take your probiotics whenever it’s most convenient.

It’s also important to note that most clinical trials studying probiotics don’t control for timing, suggesting that researchers may have good reason to assume it's a negligible factor.

5 Best Practices to Boost Your Probiotic’s Effectiveness

Taking your probiotics at a specific time may not influence their effectiveness, but there are several other factors that can, from consistency of use to proper storage practices.

To that end, here are five best practices to help you get the most out of your probiotic protocol:

#1 Take Your Probiotics Supplements Consistently

According to a 2022 study, probiotic strains can become undetectable in the gut within just eight days of discontinuing their daily use. So, if you want to get the most out of your probiotic supplements, you should take them continuously for an extended period of time.

Remembering to take your probiotics consistently may be easier if you take them at the same time every day, whether that’s:

• As soon as you wake up
• With your breakfast, lunch, or dinner
• Right before bed

The ideal time from this list is ultimately a matter of personal preference. See what suits your daily schedule and stick to it.

#2 Give Them Time and Take Them Long-Term

When you start a new supplement protocol, it can take a few weeks to see the benefits. You may only experience the full effects of your probiotics after several weeks of continuous use.

One study of people taking probiotics with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) enjoyed the most relief at the eight-week mark. With this in mind, it’s important to give your body enough time to adjust and keep taking your probiotics even after you experience their desired effects.

Note: During the first few weeks of probiotic supplementation, you may notice temporary digestive changes, such as mild bloating, gas, or shifts in stool consistency. If these symptoms don’t subside after several weeks, consider trying a different probiotic or discontinuing their use altogether.

Read more: The Best Probiotics for IBS Diarrhea + The Best Probiotics for IBS Constipation

#3 Pair Them With Prebiotics

As living organisms, probiotics need food to survive and thrive. Their food of choice? Prebiotics.

Prebiotics are non-digestible plant fibers that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. They’re found in a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including:

• Rice
• Beans
• Legumes
• Oats
• Asparagus
• Garlic
• Onions
• Apples
• Carrots
• Tomatoes
• Potatoes

By combining your probiotics with a prebiotic-rich diet, you can supercharge your supplement regime and enhance your overall health and wellness.

Read more: Best Prebiotic and Probiotic Combo to Take

#4 Store Your Probiotics Properly

Along with stomach acid, probiotics are sensitive to environmental conditions, such as heat, humidity, and direct sunlight. You can protect them from these harsh elements by storing them properly.

Here’s how:

• Follow your probiotics’ storage instructions – Since probiotic supplements can be formulated differently, you should always check the back of your probiotic’s label and follow its instructions.


• Keep them away from direct sunlight and high temperatures. Most probiotics need to be stored in a cool, dry place to maintain their freshness and potency. Some probiotics may even require refrigeration.


• Store them in an airtight container – Make sure you tightly close the lid to your probiotics to prevent moisture and air from degrading their quality.

#5 Choose a Reputable Brand

Supplements’ safety and effectiveness are not regulated as strictly by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as medications. As a result, the quality of probiotics can vary notably from one brand to the next.

For this reason, you should do your due diligence before selecting a probiotic brand and look for one that uses:

• High-quality ingredients
• Effective doses
• Non-proprietary blends

At Vibrant Health, all of our products check these boxes, including our U.T. Probiotic supplement.

Probiotic Timing FAQs

Now that we’ve reviewed some supplementation best practices, let’s answer some common FAQs:

1. Should I take probiotics in the morning or at night? – The best time to take probiotics is whatever time you can stick to consistently. Thus, morning vs. evening is a matter of personal preference.


2. Should probiotics be refrigerated? – Some probiotics need to be refrigerated, while others can be safely stored at room temperature in a cool, dark location. You can determine the ideal storage location for your probiotics by reading the label's instructions.


3. How should I consume probiotics with meals? – If you want to consume your probiotics with a meal, you can. Just make sure that your food or drink isn’t too hot or acidic, as high temperatures and acidity levels can degrade probiotics’ delicate microorganisms.

Start Your Consistent Probiotic Supplement Routine With Vibrant Health

After exploring the question about when is the best time to take a probiotic, our key takeaway is this: Consistency of use matters much more than timing. By choosing a time that’s easy to remember, you can reap the greatest benefits of regular probiotic use.

If you’re searching for a high-quality probiotic, look no further than Vibrant Health. Our U.T. Probiotic supplement is clinically proven to enhance digestive health and support bladder and urinary health. For the best results, we suggest taking one capsule every day, ideally one hour after a meal. We also recommend refrigerating our probiotics to preserve their freshness.

If you prefer a powdered supplement, you can also enhance your digestive health with Digestive Vibrance. It contains fermentable fibers and 100 billion probiotics and comes in several delicious flavors.

Ready to experience the benefits of probiotics first-hand? Order your probiotics from Vibrant Health today.