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Guide To The Best Probiotics For Travel
Suppose you’ve ever suffered from stomach cramps, constipation, or diarrhea while traveling, then before your next trip. Even if you’ve never suffered from these symptoms before – well, how lucky for you – we still recommend you consider the best probiotic for travel – because, unfortunately, sooner or later, we all suffer from these symptoms sooner or later. In that case, we highly recommend you consider getting yourself some of the best probiotics for travel.
I’m guessing you’ve stumbled across this probiotics for travel guide because you’ve already considered getting some for your next trip. Perhaps you already know a little about the benefits of traveling with probiotics, or you’re just uncertain about which travel probiotics you should get.
Whatever your reason for landing on this guide, we do not doubt that you will find what you’re looking for here.
These travel probiotic reviews will take you through all the basics. At the end, we look at what a probiotic is, why you should consider taking probiotics while traveling, what to look for to buy the best probiotic for traveling, and we take a close look at some of the top-rated probiotics currently available.
What Is A Probiotic And Why You Should Take Probiotics For Travel?
Our guts are made up of good and bad bacteria, and provided bacteria is well balanced, it supports our immune system. When we travel, particularly abroad, our bodies often come across unknown or harmful bacteria that can make us feel unwell. Unfortunately, stomach cramps, bloating, constipation, and traveler’s diarrhea are common consequences of this bad bacteria, not to mention food poisoning.
Unfortunately, the changes in our eating habits when we travel reduce the number of good bacteria in our gut. When we travel, we often drink more alcohol and eat more processed, fatty, or sugary foods – all of which can deplete good bacteria.
What Is A Probiotic Anyway?
Quite simply, a probiotic is good bacteria found in live microorganisms that can be consumed through fermented foods or supplements.
What are the benefits of taking probiotics?
Studies have shown that probiotics help with a healthy balance of gut bacteria and include a range of health benefits such as:
- Helping restore the natural balance of gut bacteria when unfamiliar or harmful bacteria make their way into your gut;
- Helping prevent or reduce the severity and duration of diarrhea;
- Improving your mental health and reducing anxiety;
- Helping to keep your heart healthy by lowering bad cholesterol and increasing good cholesterol; and
- Helping to reduce the symptoms of certain digestive disorders.
What Else Can I Do To Prevent Getting Sick While Traveling
You can also take other precautions such as washing your hand, only drinking bottled water, and eating things that are only well-cooked to help avoid getting sick while traveling.
While you could do everything in your power to avoid bad bacteria, the fact is you could encounter it anywhere, including upscale 5-star resorts and restaurants. Taking probiotic travel tablets will also give your body an extra line of defense should it still face bad bacteria despite all your best efforts to avoid them.
My Pick For The Best Probiotic For Travel: Natures Branch
Don’t have time to read our complete guide on probiotics and travel? Just want our recommendation on the best probiotic travel bug tablets? Well, we really love the Nature’s Branch probiotics. The Natures Branch probiotics come with 15 different strains of probiotics and 50 billion colony-forming units per dose. Plus, these probiotics are great value for money.
Best Probiotics For Travel Comparison Chart
We looked at the best probiotic supplements to take while traveling, compared their features and prices, and made this easy-to-use table to help you review and decide which probiotic is best for you.
Keep reading below for further details about these best travel supplements.
Name |
Number of Strains |
CFU per Capsule |
Serves per bottle |
Contains Prebiotic |
Price Guide |
Buy Now |
| Pro-50 | 13 | 25 Billion | 30 | Yes | 30 | Buy on Amazon |
| RenewLife | 12 | 50 Billion | 30 | No | 26 | Buy on Amazon |
| Terranics | 19 | 30 Billion | 30 | Yes | 18 | Buy on Amazon |
| Natures Branch | 15 | 50 Billion | 30 | Yes | 20 | Buy on Amazon |
| Physician’s Choice | 10 | 60 Billion | 30 | Yes | 22 | Buy on Amazon |
| Nuevida | 19 | 30 Billion | 30 | Yes | 19 | Buy on Amazon |
| NewRhythm | 20 | 25 Billion | 30 | Yes | 17 | Buy on Amazon |
| Naturelo | 11 | 30 Billion | 30 | Yes | 20 | Buy on Amazon |
| OptiBac | 3 | 50 Billion | 30 | No | 45 | Buy on Amazon |
| Healthy Origins | 2 | 5 Billion | 60 | No | 18 | Buy on Amazon |
The Best Travel Probiotics Reviews
Below, I’ve listed our picks for the available top 10 travelers’ probiotics.
Vitamin Bounty Pro-50 Probiotics
If you’re after travelers’ diarrhea prevention medication or other common digestive symptoms travelers tend to suffer from, probiotics such as Vitamin Bounty Pro-50 are a good one to consider.
These probiotics contain 13 different probiotic strains known for supporting overall digestive health. Strains include Saccharomyces boulardii, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium brevis and Bifidobacterium longum.
Pro-50 probiotics include the patented capsule, which delays the release of the probiotic and protects it from stomach acid. This means the probiotics are delivered to where they are needed most.
Each serving of 2 capsules provides at least 50 billion organisms, and they are gluten-free, so they are perfect for anyone with dietary restrictions.
Pro-50 is a good one to consider if you’re after the best probiotics for diarrhea or other common sicknesses that travelers regularly suffer from.
Number of Strains: 13
CFU per Serve: 50 billion per 2 capsules
Contains a Prebiotic: Yes
.
Renew Life Probiotic
Similar to the Pro-50 probiotics but around half the price, the Renew Life Probiotics are another fantastic product to consider if you’re after the best probiotic for travelers’ diarrhea and other common traveler ailments.
Containing 12 different strains and with 50 million CFU per capsule, these probiotics are perfect for supporting your digestive and immune system while traveling. They also feature slow release to ensure the probiotic gets where it needs to go.
While the Renew Life probiotics only have 30 capsules in a bottle, a dose is only one capsule, whereas most other brands require you to take two pills to get the same amount of live cultures. This makes the Renew Life probiotics excellent value for money. Plus, being soy-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free, these capsules are also ideal for anyone on a restrictive diet and are great to help with traveler’s diarrhea prevention or travelers’ tummy treatment.
Consider the Renew Life brand if you’re looking for budget probiotics for traveling abroad.
Number of Strains: 12
CFU per Serve: 50 million per 1 capsule
Contains a Prebiotic: NA
.
Terranics Probiotics
If you’re looking for the best probiotics for travel to India or the best probiotics for travel to Mexico – anywhere your stomach will be tested, you will need to take a massive dose of top-quality live probiotics – which is where the Terranics come in handy.
With the Terranics probiotics, every serve contains no less than 60 billion live probiotic cultures, which is the most of any probiotics contained in these reviews. The probiotics have been scientifically formulated with 19 different probiotic strains and contain organic prebiotic fiber to ensure the probiotic flourishes in your gut.
The Terranics are suitable for vegetarians and vegans as they’re made with all-natural ingredients. They contain no egg, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, or corn and are soy, dairy, and gluten-free. These capsules are also 100% free of sugar, sodium, silicone dioxide, chemicals, stearates, preservatives, artificial colors, flavors, binders, and fillers.
Like all good probiotics for travel, the Terranics don’t need to be refrigerated, and they are formulated with delayed-release technology and will survive stomach acid and bile to ensure the probiotics reach your intestinal tract fully intact.
Terranics probiotics are a good option to consider for improving your immune system and avoiding travelers’ diarrhea. Coming with 60 capsules in a bottle, equating to 30 doses, these probiotics offer good value for money.
Number of Strains: 19
CFU per Serve: 60 million per 2 capsules
Contains a Prebiotic: Yes
.
Nature’s Branch Probiotics
With 50 billion live probiotics and 15 different strains per capsule, Nature’s Branch probiotics offer a super ultra-high potency to keep you fit and healthy on your next trip.
Nature’s Branch probiotic offers the ideal complex for travel, including all 15 strains of beneficial bacteria. These probiotics include Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifidobacterium Lactis, Streptococcus Thermophilus, Bifidobacterium Breve, Bifidobacterium Infantis, Lactobacillus Casei, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Bacillus Coagulans, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Bifidobacterium Longum, Lactobacillus Bulgaricus, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus Reuteri, Lactobacillus Fermentum, and Saccharomyces Boulardii.
These capsules feature delayed time release and are resistant to stomach acids to ensure maximum absorption deep into the small and large intestines. The Nature Branch’s probiotics are also 100% natural and GMO-free featuring no artificial colors, fillers, or binders.
Nature’s Branch is an excellent one to consider if you’re after the best stomach medicine for travel and probiotics for travelers’ diarrhea. These probiotics will help improve your digestive health, immune system, and more. They also offer great value for money.
Number of Strains: 15
CFU per Serve: 50 Billion per 1 capsule
Contains a Prebiotic: Yes
.
Physician’s Choice Probiotics
With 60 billion strains per capsule, the Physician’s Choice probiotics include more strains than any other in these reviews (only equal to the Terranics probiotics).
The Physician’s Choice probiotics are a 100% natural supplement made from 10 different probiotic strains. The strains contained within this probiotic include Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve, and Lactobacillus bulgaricus.
These probiotics are entirely suitable for vegetarians and vegans, containing an organic prebiotic fiber and no binders, soy, gluten, milk, egg, wheat, peanuts, shellfish, or preservatives. They also feature delayed-release capsules and are not required to be kept in the refrigerator.
With most probiotics, you’ll need to take two to three tablets to get the same dose of healthy bacteria as you will in just one of these capsules, making Physician’s Choice probiotics handy for traveling internationally with supplements.
Number of Strains: 10
CFU per Serve: 60 Billion per 1 capsule
Contains a Prebiotic: Yes
.
Nuevida Probiotic
The Nuevida probiotics are a good all-rounder supplement to help keep you healthy during your travels. Like all good probiotics, these are particularly helpful if you’re looking at how to prevent travelers’ diarrhea and other nasty common health ailments that travelers are susceptible to.
With just one dose (two capsules) of these probiotics, you’ll ingest 60 billion live cultures from a range of 19 different strains of probiotics, as well as a natural plant-based prebiotic. These probiotics are vegetarian and vegan-friendly, too, and are completely free of eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, fish, soy, gluten, dairy, synthetic colors, artificial flavors, and sweeteners.
Given one dose is two capsules, and there are only 30 capsules in a bottle, these probiotics do work out a little pricey compared to many others in these reviews, but are still a great one to consider for your next overseas trip.
Number of Strains: 19
CFU per Serve: 60 Billion per 2 capsules
Contains a Prebiotic: Yes
.
New Rhythm Probiotics
Whether you’re wondering how to avoid traveler’s diarrhea, wanting the best probiotic for travel constipation, or just after some good quality travel tablets for stomach issues, the NewRhythm probiotics are worth considering.
With the NewRhythm probiotics, every serve (two capsules) contains no less than 50 billion live probiotic cultures. The probiotics have been scientifically formulated with 20 probiotic strains and contain organic prebiotic fiber to ensure the probiotic flourishes in your gut.
These probiotics are suitable for vegetarians as they’re made with all-natural ingredients. They are soy and gluten-free and contain no egg, peanuts, fish, shellfish, or corn. These capsules are also 100% free of sugar, stearates, preservatives, artificial colors, flavors, binders, and fillers.
Like all good probiotics for travel, the NewRhythm doesn’t need to be refrigerated, and they are formulated with delayed-release technology so they will survive stomach acid and bile to ensure the probiotics reach your intestinal tract fully intact.
Coming with 60 capsules in a bottle, which equates to 30 doses, these probiotics are more expensive than others in these reviews; overall, the NewRhythm probiotics are certainly an excellent option to consider.
Number of Strains: 20
CFU per Serve: 50 billion per 2 capsules
Contains a Prebiotic: Yes
.
Naturelo Probiotic
With each capsule containing 50 billion CFU across 11 different strains, the Natureleo probiotic is an excellent high-quality supplement and offers superb value for money.
The Naturelo probiotic offers an advanced formula containing all the essential Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains. Strains included in just a single capsule include Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Lactobacillus Paracasei, Lactobacillus Salivarius, Lactobacillus Casei, Streptococcus Thermophilus, Bifidobacterium Longum, Bifidobacterium Lactis, Bifidobacterium Breve, and Bifidobacterium Bifidum.
These value-for-money probiotics are vegan and vegetarian-friendly and are 100% natural and free from gluten, soy, yeast, dairy, sugar, eggs, maltodextrin, magnesium stearate, animal derivatives, artificial flavors, and preservatives.
Like all good probiotics, these feature delayed released capsules to ensure the probiotics are delivered to the intestines alive and don’t require refrigeration making them perfect for travelers.
Number of Strains: 11
CFU per Serve: 50 billion per 1 capsule
Contains a Prebiotic: Yes
.
OptiBac Travel Probiotics for Every Day Max
Another popular choice for travel probiotics is the OptiBac probiotics. Coming with a high strength of 50 billion CFU per capsule, these probiotics will support your digestive and immune health while traveling.
These supplements come with three different strains of probiotics Bifidobacterium lactis B1-04, Bifidobacterium lactis HN019, and Lactobacillus acidophilus. These three strains of probiotics are said to be among the most effective strains supporting the digestive and immune systems. Read any OptiBac travel probiotics reviews, and you’ll find many happy customers reporting almost immediate relief from various digestive issues such as IBS.
The supplements are suitable for vegans and vegetarians and are free of gluten, soy, and sugar. Plus, like all good probiotics, the OptiBac probiotics travel supplements don’t require refrigeration, and they are scientifically proven to survive stomach acid to ensure they reach the gut alive.
While the OptiBac probiotics for traveling abroad are certainly a good one to consider for travel, given the high price tag and the fact that they only contain three different probiotic strains and don’t contain a prebiotic, I’d probably opt for another one from these reviews.
Number of Strains: 3
CFU per Serve: 50 Billion per 1 capsule
Contains a Prebiotic: NA
.
Healthy Origins Probiotic For Kids
While many of the above probiotics are suitable for children over a certain age (check the directions on the box as this changes for each supplement), many children prefer chewable probiotics rather than having to swallow a capsule. This is why I’ve included the Healthy Origins Probiotic for kids in this guide.
While chewable probiotics are much easier for kids to take, the downside is they tend not to include as many strains of CFU per dose. For example, the Healthy Origins probiotics only contain two strains (Bifidobacterium lactis UABla-12 and Lactobacillus acidophilus) and just 5 billion colony-forming units per dose. However, if this is the only way your child will take a probiotic, it’s better than nothing.
These chewable probiotics are free of sugar, gluten, fish, shellfish, egg, soy, peanuts, and milk, but unfortunately also don’t include a prebiotic. They also have a range of artificial colors and flavors to give them the cherry flavor to encourage your kids to take them.
If you can get your kids to swallow tablets, I’d recommend they take one of the other supplements in these reviews. However, if chewables are the only way your children will take probiotics, then the Healthy Origins are a good one to consider.
Number of Strains: 2
CFU per Serve: 5 Billion per 1 tablet
Contains a Prebiotic: NA
.
Things To Consider When Purchasing The Best Probiotic For Traveling
Like any product, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to probiotics. Plus, not all probiotics are created equal, and some are more superior than others.
To purchase an excellent quality probiotic and one that will meet your own individual needs, I recommend you consider the following factors.
Types of Probiotics
You don’t have to take supplements to ingest probiotics. Probiotics can be found in fermented dairy products such as yogurts and milk and foods like pickled vegetables, tempeh miso, kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, and soy products.
However, if you’re visiting a country where this food is not readily available, or perhaps you just don’t like these foods, supplements are the easiest way to ingest probiotics. Probiotics in supplement form come as tablets, capsules, chewables, and drinkable powders.
Different Strains
There are different strains of probiotics, all of which have their own beneficial properties. For this reason, it’s best to take a probiotic which contains multiple strains.
At the very least, ensure your probiotic contains strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum, which are said to be the most effective in preventing or reducing the severity of the common sicknesses travelers tend to get, such as diarrhea.
If you have a particular illness, you’re trying to prevent or reduce the severity of, do some research on which strain of probiotic you need and look for this on the packaging to ensure you purchase the right probiotic.
If a probiotic has 20 different strains of bacteria but doesn’t include the one that will help improve your health concern, it’s not an excellent probiotic for you. Meanwhile, there may be another probiotic with only three strains of bacteria, precisely what you need for your concerns. In other words, more strains are not always best. As the saying goes, “quality over quantity.”
Number Of Live Organisms Per Dosage (CFU)
We have trillions of live bacteria inside our guts – both good and bad. So if we take a probiotic supplement, we want to ensure we are taking one that will make a difference.
Given we have a trillion live bacteria in our guts, you can imagine that 100 million is hardly going to make a difference. So when it comes to quality probiotics, you’re going to want one that has billions of bacteria per dose.
The number of live organisms per dose is called colony-forming units (CFU). Generally, you will want probiotics with at least 1 billion to 100 billion CFU per dose. I would recommend nothing short of around 20 million CFU.
For example, if you’re after probiotics in India or somewhere you think your gut will be tested, it’s worth paying extra for a probiotic with a super high CFU, like around at least 50 billion.
Of course, you can take multiple tablets to reach the correct dosage you want to ingest – but just keep this in mind when purchasing probiotics. Probiotic A with 60 pills for $10 might sound cheap compared to probiotic B with 30 tablets for $25, but if you need to take three tablets from probiotic A for the same dose as probiotic B, then it’s more expensive.
Prebiotics
Another recommendation is to look for probiotics that contain a prebiotic. A prebiotic is food for probiotics, which then encourages the probiotic to flourish and, in turn, create more good gut bacteria.
Prebiotics can also be found in fiber-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. So if you eat a lot of this food each day, it may not be essential to have a probiotic, which also contains a prebiotic.
Tips For Taking Probiotics Travel Tablets
To obtain maximum benefits from your travel bug probiotic, you should take probiotics at least two weeks before your trip. Taking probiotics before traveling will give an excellent kickstart to encouraging increasing bacteria and supporting your immune system in defense against any harmful bacteria it encounters on your trip.
Probiotics should then be continued throughout your trip and at least two weeks after arriving home.
In terms of how to travel with probiotics, you only need to know to not buy probiotics that require refrigeration. Once upon a time, this was a little tricky – however, these days, you can get some excellent probiotics that don’t require refrigeration. Also, always keep your probiotics in a cool, dark place.
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