Our selection
# Best probiotic blend 🥇
> FS-3B (Full Spectrum Tribiotic) – Cuure
# Best weight-loss probiotic
> L-Gasseri – Apyforme
# Best intimate flora probiotic
> Probio+ intima – Apyforme
Probiotics act on the microbiota in several ways. They can strengthen, support, or maintain its balance.
The microbiota is made up of a huge number of living microorganisms that are natural, physiological inhabitants of our bodies. More than 90% of the microbiota is concentrated in the intestines and is the best known. But there are other microbiotas: skin, vaginal, oral, and even lung1.
The microbiota needs a proper balance, which is called symbiosis. By contrast, we speak of dysbiosis when an imbalance has developed. There are 3 cases: an insufficient number of good bacteria, an overgrowth of bad bacteria, and/or a decrease in the diversity of the species that make up the microbiota.
The beneficial bacteria that make up the gut microbiota play a major role in our health2. Research in recent years has shown the impact of the microbiota on many bodily functions3 and the possibility of combining certain microbial strains for health benefits4.
Some studies explore the role of probiotics in digestive comfort, immune response5, mood6, or weight management7. These areas are the subject of active research, although no official claims have yet been validated at the European level
For women, certain specific strains are being studied for their role in intimate comfort8 and the balance of vaginal flora9.
In addition, many factors have been identified as disrupting the composition of the microbiota and contributing to its depletion: stress, pollution, a modern diet low in fiber, and taking antibiotics.
Hence the interest in strengthening your microbiota to counter its detractors, in addition to good lifestyle habits.
Brands evaluated : Apyforme, Belloc, Cuure, Dijo, FortePharma, Granions, Juvamine, Novoma, Nutri&Co, Nutrimea, Vitavea.
Best probiotics: our opinion
# BEST PROBIOTIC COMPLEX 🥇
Cuure
Rating: 5/5
Nutrition: ★★★★★
Safety: ★★★★★
Brand: ★★★★★
Benefits
- Ultra-complete formula: pre-, pro- and postbiotics
- Very many strains
- Excellent strain protection
- High concentration (50 billion CFU)
Drawbacks
- Higher price than average
- Recent product on the market
Launched in 2019, Cuure is establishing itself as a benchmark in the field of personalized health. Its strong digital presence (more than 95,000 followers on Instagram) reflects an engaged community, drawn to a modern and scientific vision of wellness.
Cuure delivers here its most accomplished formula: FS-3B, a next-generation tribbiotic with a smart combination. In our view, this is a much more coherent approach to supporting microbiome health.
Unlike traditional probiotics, this formula combines 25 clinically documented strains, 6 bioactive postbiotics, and a blend of natural prebiotics derived from fermented plants.
The formula is designed to act on several aspects of the microbiome, with strains targeted at digestion, immunity, mood, skin, and sleep, areas where probiotic research is rapidly expanding.
Each capsule contains 50 billion CFU protected by a patented triple-encapsulation capsule, which ensures targeted release in the intestine. This is a real plus, so the strains do not get lost along the way: they arrive where they need to act.
The product is clearly positioned in the premium segment, with a price of €59.90 for a one-time purchase. The price drops to €49.90 with the monthly subscription offered by the brand. This cost is justified by the richness of the formulation and the encapsulation technology.
The dosage is precisely defined: a gradual increase (1 capsule during the first 4 days, then 2 capsules per day) that respects the microbiome’s adjustment period. It’s a detail that is not just a detail and shows that this is not a product formulated hastily.
Everything is made in France, 100% vegan, without GMOs or additives, and packaged in eco-friendly packaging. For us, it’s flawless.
# BEST SIMPLE PROBIOTIC
Novoma
Rating: 4.7/5
Nutrition: ★★★★☆
Safety: ★★★★★
Brand: ★★★★★
Benefits
- Good variety of strains
- Excellent concentration per capsule
- Good value for money
- Recycled and recyclable bottle
- Certified capsule
Drawbacks
- Imbalance in the choice of bacterial species (Lactobacilli predominant)
Novoma is a French brand that has been offering dietary supplements for more than 10 years. Well rated by customer reviews, it offers more than twenty products at affordable prices. A community of 13,000 followers follows Novoma on Instagram.
The Novoma probiotic formula is a bottle of 60 gastro-resistant vegetable capsules labeled DR Caps®, which protect the probiotics during their passage through the stomach.
The product targets the rebalancing of the intestinal flora and digestive comfort. The L. rhamnosus strain is also being studied for its role in the immune response.
Each capsule contains a blend of 6 strains (including 5 species from the Lactobacillus family) for a total of 30 billion CFU. All these strains are patented Syn Balance® (Italian laboratory) and the product is manufactured in France. It is a selection of 3 blends (SmilinGut, Happy Belly, and the Lacticasei Bacillus Paracasei strain) chosen for their synergistic action.
There are no other active ingredients, and only rice starch accompanies the strains in the capsule.
It is recommended to take one capsule per day with a glass of water during a meal.
The cost of the bottle is €26.9, or a cost of €0.15 per 10 billion CFU, one of the lowest in the selection. Note that it is a bottle made from recycled and recyclable material, which is a nice eco-friendly touch!
On the brand’s website, you will find rich and detailed information about the choice of strains and the microbiota.
# BEST WEIGHT LOSS PROBIOTIC
Apyforme
Rating: 4.3/5
Nutrition: ★★★★★
Safety: ★★★★☆
Brand: ★★★★☆
Benefits
- Interesting strain variety for a weight-loss formula
- Good CFU count
- Pleasant and serious infographic
- Good value for money
Drawbacks
- Not really fair to talk about a formula with 50 billion CFU, which corresponds to 4 capsules (loading phase)
Apyforme is a French brand based in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. It currently offers around thirty nutraceutical products inspired by the riches of nature. More than 20,000 people follow the brand on Instagram. The price ranges are fairly affordable, and the products are well documented.
This Apyforme L. Gasseri formula is made up of 4 strains, including, of course, the well-known L. Gasseri, now well studied in scientific research7. The other strains are L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus, and B. longum, with complementary properties, one of which is patented.
This probiotic is formulated to act on intestinal balance as part of a broader weight-management approach. This probiotic should be considered an interesting option in a weight-loss journey. But the promise cannot be achieved without additional measures (diet, physical activity, etc.).
One capsule contains 12.5 billion CFU, double that of competitors in the same selection range.
Only corn starch, as an anti-caking agent, is added to the formula.
The brand offers a very well-made infographic with citations to the relevant scientific studies.
The recommended regimen is 2 capsules in the morning on an empty stomach, if possible 30 minutes before breakfast with a cold drink. The recommended duration is 2 months. The price per 10 billion CFU works out to €0.32, below the selection average.
# BEST INTIMATE FLORA PROBIOTIC
Apyforme
Rating: 4.0/5
Nutrition : ★★★★☆
Safety : ★★★★☆
Brand : ★★★★☆
Benefits
- Varied strains indicated for intimate flora
- Correct concentration
- Good infographic
- Good value for money
Drawbacks
- Lack of transparency on the bottle (40 billion CFU is only if you do a loading treatment)
The company Apyforme was founded in 2008 in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Its founder, Yoann Bonnassieux, is committed to offering pure and effective dietary supplements. The brand’s following on Instagram has seen strong growth in recent months. The product range has grown to around thirty items.
Apyforme offers a supplement intended to support the balance of the female intimate flora and contribute to everyday comfort.
The formula includes 4 microbiotic strains: L. crispatus (which makes up half of the intimate flora), L. reuteri, L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus, 2 of which are patented (cultivated in France and registered with the CNCM of the Institut Pasteur). It contains 10 billion CFU per capsule, which is a correct concentration.
Corn starch is the anti-caking agent used, and the capsules are gastro-resistant.
Several dosage regimens are indicated: 4 capsules per day for 7 days as an intensive treatment in case of discomfort, then 2 per day for 2 months. For a preventive effect, it is recommended to take 2 capsules per day for 2 months.
A bottle of 60 capsules costs €19.90 and the cost per 10 billion CFU is €0.33, which is in line with the average of the selection.
Even so, we find it a bit excessive to state in large print on the bottle 40 billion CFU when that is only for a dose of 4 capsules. Yet the brand indicates several dosage regimens.
Again, a very well-designed infographic summarizes the role of the intimate microbiota by citing bibliographic sources.
Methodology
The ranking of the products is established by our editorial team, based on objective criteria (nutritional value, safety, and brand). The methodology and FAQ were prepared by Géraldine Dubois, a physician specializing in nutrition, who serves as a scientific expert. Product data was collected in April 2024 on the brands’ websites. Prices and characteristics may change.
In this comparison, probiotics frequently purchased online, with a large number of reviews, were selected.
Some products are specifically designed to act on the gut microbiota, while others are formulated for the vaginal microbiota or for weight-loss purposes.
Based on the available resources, we analyzed the composition of each of these probiotics according to 3 criteria: nutrition, safety, and brand. We also compared prices for a reference of 10 billion CFU.
In total, 15 probiotics were analyzed. We selected the best probiotic according to our criteria, across all supplements, then the best specialized probiotics (weight loss, intimate flora). Finally, we highlighted the best probiotic combined with prebiotics.
→ Access our full comparison table here (Google Sheet)
1. Nutritional value
I recommended noting the number and variety of strains used. The strains that make up the supplement must be both diverse and numerous enough to reach the intestinal sphere.
Overall, these strains belong to 2 major families of bacterial species: Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria.
The best-known strains include: Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus helveticus, Lactobacillus gasseri, and Lactobacillus plantarum.
I recommended taking into account the number of CFUs (colony-forming units) per capsule. These units represent the number of live bacteria per dose.
You need to pay attention to this CFU count because there is great heterogeneity in the way this information is presented. Some brands mention the amount per recommended dose, others per capsule, or even per gram of product, which changes the data significantly depending on the criterion taken into account. I therefore suggested reporting the number of CFUs contained in a capsule to standardize the comparison.
In addition, the recommended dosages vary greatly from one brand to another. Some suggest a single dosage, while others specify a different amount for a loading phase or a maintenance phase. The number of capsules to take daily then varies considerably.
Another major aspect of a probiotic’s quality concerns the resistance of the capsule’s coating to stomach acid.
The capsule is essential. Indeed, its shell must be gastro-resistant, meaning it does not open when it comes into contact with stomach acid in order to avoid releasing its contents at that point. The goal is to deliver probiotics intact to the intestines, where they should be, as far as possible, delivered alive and intact.
Some brands specify the name of the capsule coating manufacturer, while others do not and do not proactively indicate whether it is gastro-resistant.
Finally, I suggested checking for the presence of prebiotics and other active substances. In general, probiotics are fragile entities that are sensitive to their environment. It is not necessarily wise to combine them with other substances.
2. Safety
I recommended examining the origin of the probiotics and whether they were patented.
Some strains are said to be generic and others are patented. The so-called patented strains have shown specific clinical benefits.
Although available over the counter, probiotics are products whose manufacturing must be meticulous and controlled. They are living, fragile microorganisms that are sensitive and must travel through a hostile environment to reach the colon. The selected strains must prove to be stable and resistant.
The manufacturing process is therefore very important and requires ensuring the protection of the strains at different times (production, transport, storage)10. I therefore advised identifying information about the manufacturing conditions and all the data provided by brands on their websites. This gives an indication of the quality of the product selection.
I advised looking at the presence of additives. The ingredients must be free of additives and contain as few artificial agents as possible.
Probiotics are sensitive to moisture and heat. Sensitivity to water requires major precautions during the manufacturing process and the use of anti-caking agents that are as harmless as possible.
3. Brand
I suggested taking into account the brand’s reputation based on how long it has existed and its popularity (number of followers on Instagram).
I suggested highlighting the number of product reviews and its rating on Amazon (when it was sold on that platform), as well as through review verification organizations (Trustpilot, Verified Reviews). I asked that reviews on the brand’s own website not be taken into account, since they do not guarantee complete objectivity.
I advised noting the transparency and level of information provided by the brands.
Indeed, the field of probiotics is a rapidly expanding subject. The marketing stakes are enormous. It is rather reassuring to know the brands’ approach, especially in the choice of strains.
It seems to me that the most transparent brands are worth highlighting. These are the ones that provide complete information and share knowledge accessible to the general public.
Finally, consumers naturally look at the product’s purchase price, except that not all products contain the same number of capsules or the same number of CFUs per capsule. I therefore recommended checking the cost for a quantity of 10 billion CFUs. This benchmark, although imperfect, has the advantage of establishing a price based on the same quantity.
Full comparison
| Marque | NOTE | Nutrition | Sécurité | Marque |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuure 🥇 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Novoma | 4,7 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Apyforme Weight Loss | 4,3 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Nutri&Co | 4,3 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| Apyforme Intimate | 4,0 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Nutri&Co Weight Loss | 3,7 | 3 | 3 | 5 |
| Nutripure | 3,7 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Dijo | 3,3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Granions | 3,3 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Nutrimea | 3,3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| FortePharma Intimate | 3,0 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Vitavea | 3,0 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Belloc | 2,7 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Juvamine | 2,3 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
→ Access our full comparison table here (Google Sheet)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
After how much time do probiotics take effect?
It is difficult to provide a general answer to this question because the indications and personal situations vary considerably. Sometimes, the first effects can already appear after a week. But when the imbalance of the microbiota is very significant, it takes more time.
When should probiotics be taken during the day?
You can find all kinds of things in the usage instructions. Some brands recommend taking them on an empty stomach, others during a meal. For a long time, it was recommended to take probiotics in the morning on an empty stomach, about 30 minutes before breakfast or away from a meal (at least 2 hours) for better benefits. Advances in protecting the capsule contents and its gastro-resistant coating make this empty-stomach instruction less necessary. This may explain the differences in usage recommendations among brands.
How long does a probiotic treatment last?
The ideal duration of a course of probiotics varies because it depends on the indication and the context. It is necessary to distinguish between treatment courses, where the dosage is higher but the duration is shorter, and maintenance or prevention phases, where lower doses are recommended over a longer period. Literature reviews show a wide variation in the duration of courses in studies, generally ranging from 3 to 12 weeks. Too many parameters must be taken into account and do not allow an ideal duration to be specified.
What is the difference between a probiotic and Saccharomyces boulardii?
Ultra-levure is classified as an antidiarrheal. It contains a microscopic fungus (yeast) that helps promote the regeneration of the intestinal flora. So it is not a bacterium. Ultra-levure is recommended during antibiotic treatment to counter the disruptions caused in the intestinal system. However, it mainly acts on one symptom: diarrhea. Probiotics have an effect on a broader range of symptoms and indications. Their ability to recolonize the intestinal flora, damaged by antibiotic treatment, is more complete, especially if they contain a mix of strains suited to the issue.
Where can you find probiotics in your diet?
Probiotics are found in food, and you can turn to these natural sources to care for your microbiota. Their effectiveness has already been demonstrated. Dairy products are certainly the best known (yogurts, cheeses…). But there are other examples of increasingly popular sources of probiotics: milk or fruit kefir, kombucha (a drink made from fermented tea), fermented vegetables (sauerkraut, pickled carrots, cabbage…).
Bibliography
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3. Hills RD, Pontefract BA, Mishcon HR, Black CA, Sutton SC, Theberge CR. Gut Microbiome: Profound Implications for Diet and Disease. Nutrients. 2019;11(7):1613.
4. Ouwehand AC, Invernici MM, Furlaneto FAC, Messora MR. Effectiveness of Multistrain Versus Single-strain Probiotics: Current Status and Recommendations for the Future. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2018;52 Suppl 1, Proceedings from the 9th Probiotics, Prebiotics and New Foods, Nutraceuticals and Botanicals for Nutrition&Human and Microbiota Health Meeting, held in Rome, Italy from September 10 to 12, 2017:S35-S40.
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9. Niu XX, Li T, Zhang X, Wang SX, Liu ZH. Lactobacillus crispatus Modulates Vaginal Epithelial Cell Innate Response to Candida albicans. Chin Med J (Engl). 2017;130(3):273-279.
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