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  3. 10 Best Probiotic Drinks 2022 | UK Nutritionist Reviewed
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10 Best Probiotic Drinks 2022 | UK Nutritionist Reviewed

Probiotic drinks such as kombucha and kefir are incredibly popular in the UK right now. While there are many health-related issues to be concerned about when it comes to our bodies, gut health is one that often gets overlooked. That’s where probiotic drinks come in! Research suggests the good bacteria in these drinks can help to combat bad bacteria and prevent a number of issues, from UTIs and bloating to long-term conditions like IBS.


We’ve all heard of the big brands like Actimel and Yakult, but there’s a wealth of other products out there that are just as tasty and good for you. That's why we've put together a ranking of the top 10 best probiotic drinks from online stores including Amazon, Tesco, Asda, and Waitrose. Moreover, we have partnered with Nutritionist Tara Corbett for reviewing and fact-checking the article so that we can deliver the best information to our users.

Last updated 19/08/2022
Tara Corbett
Expert
Nutritionist
Tara Corbett

mybest UK specialist Tara is a nutritionist and energy coach who helps clients lose weight, improve their eating habits, and get their energy back through their nutrition. Tara specialises in helping busy parents specifically improve their eating with ease and without overwhelm, and get back on track so the whole family can benefit.

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Table of Contents

Fact-Checked & Approved by Nutritionist Tara Corbett

Fact-Checked & Approved by Nutritionist Tara Corbett

Tara is a nutritionist and energy coach who helps clients to lose weight, improve their eating habits, and get their energy back through better nutrition. She specialises in helping busy parents improve their diets without overwhelming them with information, and get them back on track so that the whole family can benefit.

How to Choose a Probiotic Drink in the UK

Key Points to Consider
  1. Choose Kefir for a Probiotic Yoghurt Drink, or Kombucha for Lower Calories and Sugar
  2.  Look for Beneficial Strains of Bacteria Like Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Bifidobacterium
  3. Check the Ingredients to Ensure It Fits Your Dietary Requirements
1

Choose Kefir for a Probiotic Yoghurt Drink, or Kombucha for the Refreshing Benefits of Tea

Choose Kefir for a Probiotic Yoghurt Drink, or Kombucha for the Refreshing Benefits of Tea

Dairy-Based Probiotic Drinks Are Creamy and Delicious

Probiotics appear naturally in fermented dairy products such as yoghurt or kefir, which is why these are such common options in terms of probiotic drinks. Yoghurt drinks are made by using bacteria to ferment cow's milk into a more viscous consistency. They're usually thinner than the kind of yoghurt that you eat with a spoon, so they're easy to sip on.


Kefir is made in a similar way by mixing milk with kefir grains and allowing it to ferment. Rather than just using bacteria, kefir uses both bacteria and yeast, resulting in a drink that’s much thinner than yoghurt and that has a tart, sour taste. Traditionally, kefir is made using cow, goat, or sheep’s milk, but it can also be made using plant-based alternatives or even water.


What people tend to enjoy the most about dairy-based drinks is their tangy tartness. If you don’t like the way plain yoghurt tastes though, there are plenty of drinks with sweeter flavours nowadays. 

Tea-Based Probiotic Drinks Are Lower in Sugar and Calories

If you’re lactose intolerant, vegan, or you just don’t like dairy, you might want to consider a water-based drink instead. These are usually easier to drink, as well as being lower in calories and sugar if these are important considerations for you. 


Kombucha would be the obvious choice if you wish to avoid dairy. This fizzy, fermented tea drink has gained popularity in the past couple of years due to its health benefits, in addition to its delicious and refreshing taste. A great alternative to regular fizzy drinks, it's not too sweet and has a slightly sour kick.


Switchel is a similar-tasting drink that's usually made with a combination of water, vinegar and ginger, instead of fermented tea. The addition of fermented vinegar is actually what makes this drink full of healthy probiotics. Although it may sound like the start of a savoury recipe, it actually makes a surprisingly tasty beverage!

2

Look for Beneficial Strains of Bacteria Like Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Bifidobacterium

Look for Beneficial Strains of Bacteria Like Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Bifidobacterium

The most common type of friendly bacteria around is lactobacillus acidophilus. This bacteria lives in your intestines and helps produce lactic acid by breaking down the lactose in your body. It’s the active ingredient found in fermented drinks such as kombucha and if you’re buying a probiotic drink, chances are it’ll contain this type of bacteria.


Another type of friendly bacteria found in probiotic drinks is bifidobacterium, which lives in your intestines and stomach. Not only does it assist you with digesting dietary fibre, but it helps to prevent infections by staving off harmful bacteria. This kind of bacteria is typically found in dairy products such as kefir and yoghurt, as well as miso paste.


Of course, there are many other types of healthy bacteria that can be found in probiotic drinks. While they all essentially do the same thing, it’s still best to check the ingredients before you buy to make sure your drink will provide your body with lots of gut-friendly goodness!

3

Some Drinks Contain a Low Percentage of Alcohol: Check the Ingredients to Ensure It Fits Your Dietary Requirements

Some Drinks Contain a Low Percentage of Alcohol: Check the Ingredients to Ensure It Fits Your Dietary Requirements

If you’re vegetarian, you don’t have to worry about your options as all probiotic drinks are naturally meat-free. Those who are vegan or lactose intolerant, however, will need to tread carefully in order to avoid drinks made with cow's milk. Luckily, as we mentioned earlier, there are many dairy-free alternatives out there such as water and tea-based drinks.


It should also be noted that due to the brewing process of kombucha, there may be trace amounts of alcohol present. As it's usually is less than 0.05%, it won't always be mentioned on a product's label. If you're underage or trying to avoid all alcohol, be sure to take this into consideration!

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10 Best Probiotic Drinks in the UK

This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Key features
1

Biotiful Dairy

Organic Kefir Baked Milk500 ml

Biotiful Dairy Organic Kefir Baked Milk 1枚目

Deliciously Smooth and Creamy, With No Added Sugar

2

Equinox

Pink Grapefruit & Guava Kombucha275 ml

Equinox Pink Grapefruit & Guava Kombucha 1枚目

100% Organic and Raw Kombucha

3

Biomel

Dark Choc Coconut Shot125 ml

Biomel Dark Choc Coconut Shot 1枚目

Decadent Dairy-Free Kefir With Calcium and B6

4

The Collective

Mango Kefir500 ml

The Collective Mango Kefir 1枚目

British-Made Kefir With 13 Strains of Live Cultures

5

The Gutsy Captain

Kombucha MixBox400 ml

The Gutsy Captain Kombucha MixBox 1枚目

An Exciting Selection of 8 Kombucha Flavours

6

Willy's

Blackcurrant Kombucha and ACV Drink250 ml

Willy's Blackcurrant Kombucha and ACV Drink 1枚目

Fruity Kombucha With Apple Cider Vinegar

7

Yakult

Light65 ml

Yakult Light 1枚目

The Classic Yakult Taste With Less Sugar

8

Biotiful Dairy

Kefir Slurpy Drink 100 ml

Biotiful Dairy Kefir Slurpy Drink  1枚目

Mango Probiotic Drink That’s Perfect for Kids

9

Remedy

Switchel250 ml

Remedy Switchel 1枚目

A Thirst-Quenching Kombucha Made Using Traditional Fermentation Techniques

10

Actimel

Coconut Yogurt Drink100 ml

Actimel Coconut Yogurt Drink 1枚目

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

Biotiful DairyOrganic Kefir Baked Milk500 ml

Organic Kefir Baked Milk Image 1
Source:waitrose.com
Reference price
£2.60
Reference price
£2.60

Deliciously Smooth and Creamy, With No Added Sugar

Fancy something a bit different to regular milk kefir? Biotiful Dairy makes this decadent drink by baking whole British milk and caramelising it, before adding kefir grains to start the fermentation process. This produces a rich, creamy beverage that's super sweet without any sugar being added.


This kefir is high in protein, calcium and vitamins B12 and B2, as well as being packed with over 40 strains of live cultures that all contribute to a healthy gut. For a delicious treat at any time of day, we absolutely recommend this brilliant bottle!

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No.2

EquinoxPink Grapefruit & Guava Kombucha275 ml

Reference price
£1.80

100% Organic and Raw Kombucha

If you're looking for a completely raw and organic kombucha that's suitable for vegans, Equinox offers this delightful option. Made from organic Chun-Mee green tea, raw cane sugar and live kombucha cultures, it's packed with enzymes and antioxidants that are incredibly good for your gut.


The pink grapefruit and guava flavour of this bottle is sweet and sharp; it's infused with floral notes of hibiscus and rose petals as well as rosehip, honeybush, and nettle leaf. If that doesn't tickle your tastebuds, we don't know what will!

No.3

BiomelDark Choc Coconut Shot125 ml

Reference price
£1.20

Decadent Dairy-Free Kefir With Calcium and B6

Considering it's such a creamy probiotic drink, you might be surprised to learn that Biomel is totally dairy-free! It's made with coconut milk, as well as a blend of vitamins B6 and D, calcium, and billions of live active cultures. What's not to love?


Not only is this decadent drink suitable for vegans but the ingredients are 100% natural and free from common dietary irritants like lactose and gluten. There's no reason to miss out on tasty flavours just because you don't do dairy!

No.4

The CollectiveMango Kefir500 ml

Reference price
£2.25

British-Made Kefir With 13 Strains of Live Cultures

The Collective uses a combination of British milk and other natural ingredients to produce a silky smooth kefir with a slightly effervescent finish. Available in a marvellous mango flavour, it makes the perfect breakfast drink or snack on the go.


This kefir is packed full of healthy bacteria goodness to keep your tummy happy. Not only is it an amazing source of calcium, vitamin B12 and protein, but it also boasts up to 13 strains of different live cultures. That's right, 13! 

No.5

The Gutsy CaptainKombucha MixBox400 ml

Reference price
£22.99

An Exciting Selection of 8 Kombucha Flavours

If you're serious about Kombucha, The Gutsy Captain offers a variety box with four different flavours for you to sample and enjoy. From the original, unflavoured recipe to sweet raspberry and fiery ginger lemon, there's sure to be something for everyone!


Following the original Chinese recipe for kombucha, The Gutsy Captain uses high quality natural green tea fermented with organic raw can sugar alongside their own culture of live bacteria and yeast. For a unique and refreshing taste that'll keep your insides running smoothly, opt for this superb set of cans.

No.6

Willy'sBlackcurrant Kombucha and ACV Drink250 ml

Reference price
£24.64

Fruity Kombucha With Apple Cider Vinegar

Willy's blackcurrant flavoured kombucha is made from ingredients that are grown, harvested and fermented at their farm in Herefordshire. Their recipe uses a combination of just 5 ingredients, including apple juice, green tea kombucha, and craft apple cider vinegar to produce a lightly sparkling probiotic drink.


If you already know you're going to love this drink, the good news is that you can easily grab a multipack from Amazon! Unfortunately, there's no option to buy a single can to try it out before committing to a whole set. 

No.7

YakultLight65 ml

Reference price
£3.25

The Classic Yakult Taste With Less Sugar

Who doesn't love the sweet yet tangy taste of Yakult? It's practically a cult favourite in Asia! With 20 billion strains of Yakult's own unique L. casei Shirota bacteria, the lighter version is also enriched with vitamins D and E while containing 67% less sugar!


Of course, if you've already tried Yakult, you might be a bit bored drinking the same thing every day of the week, as it only comes in one flavour

No.8

Biotiful DairyKefir Slurpy Drink 100 ml

Mango Probiotic Drink That’s Perfect for Kids

Help to support your little one's immune system and digestive health naturally with this yummy drink that's designed especially for kids! Slurpy is the first-ever kefir product in a pouch to be sold in the UK, which is pretty cool, and it has a resealable cap too.


Made with real mangoes and whole, organic milk, it's bursting with berry flavour. Plus, it's a source of vitamin B12, calcium, and billions of live cultures. Naturally, grown-ups won't be impressed with the small size of the product, but it should be just enough for kids' tummies.

No.9

RemedySwitchel250 ml

Reference price
£29.99

A Thirst-Quenching Kombucha Made Using Traditional Fermentation Techniques

Remedy's switchel is made from carefully sourced, all-natural ingredients, using long-aged brewing and traditional live-culture fermentation techniques. Containing only raw organic apple cider vinegar, honey, ginger juice and absolutely no sugar, this blood orange-flavoured drink is perfect for quenching your thirst. 


Although it's delicious and good for you too, we're not quite sure what the specific active cultures are in this particular can. If you'd prefer to know exactly which healthy bacteria are in your drink, you might want to skip this one.

No.10

ActimelCoconut Yogurt Drink100 ml

Reference price
£2.25

A popular probiotic yoghurt drink, Actimel is ideal for providing a gut healthy start to your day. An affordable choice for those looking to introduce live cultures to their diet, this pack of 8 is a fraction of the price of many similar fermented milk drinks.


Available in a range of flavours, we chose the coconut variety for its refreshingly light taste. The only downside is that Actimel contains a higher amount of sugar per 100 ml.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Probiotic Drinks Safe During Pregnancy?

Probiotic drinks are generally safe to consume during pregnancy and have been said to even contribute to supporting the immune system in a small way. However, probiotic drinks do not carry the same levels of bacteria as supplements so won’t have as great an effect. Always consult your doctor if you’re unsure.

How Many Probiotic Drinks Can I Have in a Day?

Probiotic drinks are great immune system boosters, but as with most things, moderation is key. Up to two drinks a day for an adult and one a day for a child should suffice in improving gut health. You should also not expect to see changes right away, so give them time to work their magic.

Written and researched by Dodo Wang

Top 5 Probiotic Drinks

No. 1: Biotiful DairyOrganic Kefir Baked Milk500 ml

No. 2: EquinoxPink Grapefruit & Guava Kombucha275 ml

No. 3: BiomelDark Choc Coconut Shot125 ml

No. 4: The CollectiveMango Kefir500 ml

No. 5: The Gutsy CaptainKombucha MixBox400 ml

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When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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