Digestive & Oral Health

Gut Health

Reviews and guides on probiotics, prebiotics and digestive support, written for people who want to know what actually works.

What we cover

  • Probiotic supplements and how to read strain names and CFU counts
  • Prebiotic fibers such as inulin and partially hydrolyzed guar gum
  • Digestive enzymes and herbal blends (ginger, peppermint oil)
  • Everyday bloating, regularity and the gut microbiome

Common ingredients and the evidence

Ingredient or optionUsed forEvidenceNotes
ProbioticsDigestion, antibiotic-related diarrheaModerateEffects depend on the exact strain.
Peppermint oil (enteric-coated)IBS symptoms, bloatingModerateMay cause heartburn.
GingerNauseaModerateBest studied for nausea.
InulinRegularity, feeding gut bacteriaLimitedCan cause gas at first.

Ratings follow our evidence scale and are updated as new research appears.

Claims to be careful with. Be wary of products that promise to "heal leaky gut," "detox" your colon or "reset" your microbiome in days. These aren't established medical claims.

Read on the blog

See a doctor if…

You have blood in your stool, black stools, unexplained weight loss, ongoing pain or symptoms that last more than a few weeks.

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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.