Will Probiotics Help With Bloat & Digestion? Here's The Science

If you've experienced bloating and digestion issues, you're absolutely not alone.

In fact, two-thirds of Americans experience at least one gastrointestinal challenge, like bloating, loose stools, or suboptimal regularity1, in any given week, according to the National GI Survey. And many are dealing with multiple issues.

Although gas by itself is completely normal, it could also be a sign of a suboptimal gut balance. In this case, a probiotic supplement could very likely be your best defense against bloating, poor regularity, and digestive issues.* That said, some probiotic strains work better than others to beat bloat and digestive issues.

Each one of us has our own unique microbiome that is shaped by a variety of factors—from diet to exercise, stress levels, and more.

Your microbiome consists of all the bacterial and viral microorganisms that live on your skin, fingernails, mouths, eyes, genitals, and perhaps most importantly, in your gut. 

But what do a bunch of bacterial critters have to do with actually digesting your food? It turns out, the microbiome plays two key roles in digestion. 

The teeming mass of "good" bacteria help us break down indigestible fiber, making more nutrients available to us.

And, in the process, they produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and vitamins that we can absorb. SCFA2s are a byproduct of the fermentation of fiber in the gut by microbiota.

While they primarily provide energy for the cells of the colon3, they also travel throughout the body, influencing metabolism, inflammatory status, appetite, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure4.

The purpose of probiotic supplements is to deliver more "good" bacteria to the gut, helping maintain a healthy microbial population.*

As Robert Rountree, M.D., pioneer of functional medicine and an integrative physician, explains, "Another way to think about it is the probiotics are like good cops. We're putting in the good cops, and the good cops can keep watch over the bad guys."

Once ingested, these probiotics can join the rest of your microbiome6, fermenting fiber, producing SCFAs, and generally supporting digestion.* 

So, as an integral part of the digestive system, maintaining a healthy microbiome with probiotic supplements supports digestive health.*

More than likely, you've experienced bloat: a swollen, uncomfortable belly, maybe after a big meal or a bubbly beverage.

Bloating can occur for many reasons, but it is often due to excess gas trapped in the gastrointestinal tract or "excessive fermentation," Rountree explains. One possible culprit for all that gas: an imbalanced gut microbiome. 

As integrative medicine doctor Amy Shah, M.D., explains, "Typically, bloating is caused by an imbalance of good-to-bad bacteria in your gut. There are 500 bacterial species that work to aid with digestion, and external factors such as medication use, stress, travel, and poor diet can easily disrupt your normal digestive process and cause gastrointestinal discomfort."

You see, not all types of bacteria are created equal when it comes to gas production.

Some strains produce lots of gas10 as part of their fermentation process, while others produce little to none. 

Tipping the balance in favor of less gaseous bacterial strains by using a probiotic could mean less gas and therefore less bloat.*

Fortunately, there is something you can do about bloat. According to Rountree, "Using a probiotic supplement is one kind of insurance against having that happen."*

Research has found that specific strains of probiotics, including Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07, Bifidobacterium lactis HN019, and Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, can support regularity and combat bloat.*

In one study, participants took a probiotic containing both Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07 and Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM11 twice a day for eight weeks.

Those in the probiotic group showed significant improvement in bloating severity, while the placebo group did not.*  

In another study, taking a probiotic supplement containing Bifidobacterium lactis HN01912 for 28 days was found to increase bowel movement regularity, a common culprit of bloat.*   

If you struggle with belly bloat and digestive discomfort, then finding a good probiotic could be the key to beating it.*

However, keep in mind that sometimes a probiotic can actually cause bloating while your body adjusts to the infusion of microorganisms or because it's not the right fit for you.

Rountree stresses finding a well-researched targeted probiotic supplement specifically for bloat: "That's really important because every bacterium does different things. They've all got an assigned job.” So, look for Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07, Bifidobacterium lactis HN019, and Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, or other established bloat-beating probiotic strains.*

Although the right probiotic can help, sometimes starting a new probiotic or taking one that isn't a good "fit" can actually cause bloating and flatulence. So, pay careful attention to labels and look for particular strains, like those already discussed. 

Because we each have a distinctive microbiota "profile" as unique as a fingerprint, it can take some time to find a probiotic that works well with your personal microbiome.

You can also support your gut microbiome by eating fermented foods that are rich in probiotics.

However, Rountree cautions, "They're not particularly potent," so if you are looking to target a specific issue, like digestive discomfort, you may want to add in a probiotic supplement as well.  

Want to go one step farther? You can eat prebiotic foods like asparagus and onions or take a prebiotic supplement in addition to probiotics.

Prebiotics are what our microbiota feed on, so eating prebiotic-rich foods or taking a prebiotic supplement can help them survive and thrive.

If you experience frequent or uncomfortable gas or bloating, then a targeted, well-researched probiotic supplement can help.*