The human gastrointestinal tract houses roughly 100 trillion microorganisms (good bacteria). These microorganisms make up what's called the gut microbiome. These good bacteria fight off bad bacteria ...

Last year, as many as four million Americans consumed about $3 billion worth of probiotic supplements — living bacteria — in 2024, according to the International Probiotics Association, accounting for ...

This article was made possible by the support of Yakult and produced independently by Scientific American’s board of editors. There are microbes living in medicine cabinets across the U.S., next to ...

Our expert staff answers frequently asked questions in their areas of expertise and defines common terms so you can be a smarter shopper. Read more here. As someone who writes about the best ...

The holiday season brings endless parties, rich meals and eating patterns that are significantly different from everyday eating — which is why many people turn to supplements for digestive and overall ...

These live microorganisms, found in both food and supplements, add beneficial microbes to the gut microbiome that may offer health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. Probiotic supplement use ...

Bloating happens when your belly feels full or tight. It may also appear swollen. Probiotics contain good bacteria that help improve gut health, which may help relieve bloating. How Probiotics May ...

In recent years, probiotic supplements have been publicized as a miracle cure for everything from digestive woes to mental health ailments and hormonal imbalances. The idea is compelling: Swallow some ...