Your gut microorganisms can be affected by many factors, including antibiotic use, stress levels, inadequate sleep, lack of physical activity, limited diet variety, high sugar intake, and alcohol consumption.
Dietary habits, such as plant-based diets versus animal-based diets, can impact the diversity of your gut microbiome.
In this blog, we discuss the effects a plant-based diet has on your gut bacteria and what to look for in vegan probiotic supplements.
Vegan Diet
As you may know, a vegan diet excludes animal-derived ingredients, including meat, eggs, and dairy products. A plant-based diet is naturally higher in fiber due to the intake of fruits, veggies, and whole grains. This includes dietary and prebiotic fiber, which helps to nourish your good bacteria.*
Dietary habits greatly influence intestinal microbiota composition with different types of probiotics (including the number of lactobacillus and bifidobacterial types that can dominate your gut microflora). Dietary change has been shown to have an immediate impact on the diverse number of gut bacteria. This has been heavily researched and supports that a plant-based diet is highly beneficial for overall health, supporting a more diverse gut microbial system consisting of different types of probiotics, such as bifidobacterium and lactobacillus. (1)
Food sources of probiotics and prebiotics, along with vegan probiotic supplements, can support a healthy gut environment for those following a plant-based diet plan.*
Vegan Probiotic Foods
There are a number of different probiotic foods. With the right components, some foods' fermentation process can produce live cultures. However, that doesn’t mean all fermented foods contain probiotics. The processing that can occur after being fermented can determine the type of probiotics that may be available from these foods.
Most foods containing probiotic bacteria are often dairy sources, such as kefir. However, dairy doesn’t fall into a vegan lifestyle. Nowadays, dairy-free kefir can be made from plant foods, such as cashews. Beneficial bacteria can also be found in a few plant-based food sources or taken as a dietary supplement to further support digestive health.*
Vegan probiotic-rich foods include:
- Sauerkraut
- Tempeh
- Kimchi
- Miso soup
- Kombucha
- Sourdough bread
What are Vegan Probiotics?
Many popular probiotic foods and supplements are not vegan. Unfortunately, many probiotic supplements contain different types of good bacteria cultured on a dairy-based medium that supports their growth and availability.
However, the availability of plant-based probiotic supplements is growing. Vegan probiotic supplements are fermented on a medium without dairy ingredients, making them suitable for the vegan population. Why aren’t all probiotic supplements manufactured this way? Simply because some probiotics do not grow well on a plant-based medium.
Hyperbiotics has worked hard to create probiotic supplements suitable for a wide range of individuals, including those following a vegan diet. The vegan probiotic supplements that we carry contain probiotics that are formulated to be dairy free.
You should always check the nutrition panel to ensure a supplement is suitable for your dietary lifestyle. This will provide information for gluten-free, non-GMO, soy-free, and dairy-free products.
Do Vegans Need Probiotic Supplements?*
If you follow a vegan diet, it’s recommended that you consume a variety of naturally fermented foods daily for general wellness and probiotic benefits. However, you will receive more beneficial bacteria that help improve your gut diversity through the use of probiotic supplements.*
That being said, look for a vegan probiotic supplement tailored to support your health needs. The health benefits of probiotic supplements can include dental, digestive, and immune support.*
Best Vegan Probiotics*
How do you know if a probiotic supplement is right for you? There are various factors to check before purchasing a supplement.
Check the Ingredients
Looking for a vegan probiotic supplement? Be sure to look over the nutrition panel and additional ingredients for additives that contain dairy. This is where you will also find information about lactose-free, non-GMO, gluten-free, and any other allergens you may have concerns about. Many labels specifically call out a ‘free-from’ list of ingredients, so look for this list of ingredients often included on product labels.
Diverse Delivery of Probiotics
Multiple forms of probiotics available in selected probiotic supplements can support bacterial diversity. With targeted support from different probiotics that work together, your immune system and digestive health will thank you!*
Backed by Science
Products backed by science will always find their way to the top of the list. Spend money on products that provide supporting information about the probiotics that can influence overall health.
Hyperbiotics leverages the latest research to develop probiotic formulas that support your health journey.*
Delivery System
How do you know which product to choose when so many are offered? The market for beneficial bacteria has expanded from probiotic capsules, tablets, and powders to probiotic drinks and foods.
The route beneficial bacteria take through the digestive tract is rough, considering the harsh stomach environment. You want a product that will make it through the stomach’s acidity and be utilized where they are most needed, in the gut.*
Hyperbiotics probiotics are delivered using BIO-tract® technology, offering protection from stomach acids. As a result, BIO-tract® tablets deliver up to 15 times more probiotic support compared to standard veggie capsules.^*
Summary
Different dietary habits can restrict you from certain foods and supplements. However, the market is expanding every day to meet various nutritional needs. From vegan probiotic foods to vegan probiotic supplements, digestive support is available.*
If you are a vegan looking for digestive, dental, or immune support, Hyperbiotics has a probiotic supplement solution for you.*
[Shop Vegan Probiotic Supplements Here]
References
- Front Nutr. (2019). PMID: 31058160
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
^BIO-tract® vs. instant release formulations under in vitro test conditions
This blog is for information and education purposes only. This information is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions in regards to a medical condition. A qualified healthcare professional can best assist you in deciding whether a dietary supplement is suitable based on your individual needs.