Liquid or capsule probiotic: which should you choose?

Reading time: 7 minutes

Capsules, sachets, drinkable bottles: there's no shortage of formats in the probiotics aisle. At Vitamoon, we chose liquid, and we'll explain why: a probiotic is only useful if you take it every day, and if its bacteria reach the gut.

In short

• Capsules are the most common format and often the cheapest, but you have to swallow them, and a standard capsule opens in the stomach.
• Liquid is easy to swallow, its dose is precise, and it can be drunk neat or in a glass of water.
• With microencapsulated strains, each bacterium is individually protected from stomach acid.

Before the format: what really matters

Whatever the format, four points make the difference (Binda et al., 2020):

• The strain: a probiotic is identified by its genus, species and often a strain code, for example Lactobacillus acidophilus. Each strain has its own characteristics.
• The quantity: expressed in CFU (colony-forming units), i.e. live bacteria. Ideally it should be guaranteed until the expiry date, not just on the day of manufacture.
• The protection: to reach the gut, bacteria have to get through the very acidic stomach. A large share can be destroyed there; their survival depends on the strain and what protects them (Bezkorovainy, 2001).
• Consistency: a course is counted in weeks. The best probiotic is the one you actually take every day.

For the basics, read our guide What are probiotics?

Capsules: the most common format, with two limits

Capsules are the most widespread format, and often the cheapest. Yet they have two limits.

They don't always protect the bacteria. A standard capsule is designed to open in the stomach within a few minutes: the bacteria are then exposed to its acidity. Only so-called gastro-resistant capsules, whose shell is treated to open further along in the intestine, avoid this problem, and the label should say so (Govender et al., 2014).

You have to swallow them. In a study of general practice patients, more than one in three said they had difficulty swallowing tablets or capsules (Schiele et al., 2013). A course that starts as a chore is less likely to be kept up over several weeks.

Powders and sachets: need preparing

Powder is poured into a glass of water or a yoghurt. You have to open the sachet and stir, and some powders dissolve poorly or leave lumps.

Liquid probiotics: easy to drink

Liquid is drunk as a shot or diluted in a glass of water or juice. It's the simplest format for sticking to a course:

• Easy to swallow, even for people who don't like capsules.
• A precise dose: the measuring cap measures exactly 15 ml, every morning.
• A pleasant habit: a lemon taste, in a few seconds, with breakfast or before.
• Ready to drink: no capsule opening in the stomach, no powder to mix.
• Bacteria protected one by one: when the strains are microencapsulated, each bacterium is surrounded by a thin protective coating, within the liquid itself. In the lab, bifidobacteria protected in this way survive conditions that mimic the stomach and intestine better than unprotected bacteria (Annan et al., 2008).

Just one habit to adopt: like fresh juice, the bottle is kept in the fridge once opened.

What about fermented drinks?

Kefir, kombucha, “probiotic juices”: these drinks have their place in a varied diet. But their strains and quantities are rarely stated, and not all of them contain live bacteria when you drink them (Marco et al., 2021). A liquid probiotic states the name of each strain and the number of CFU per serving.

Liquid or capsule: the comparison

Why we chose liquid

When we took over Vitamoon, we kept liquid for a simple reason: it's the format you actually take every morning. It's easy to take, it tastes good (lemon), and its formula stays simple, with three actives.

Our liquid probiotic provides, per 15 ml serving:

• 10 billion CFU from 4 microencapsulated plant-based strains: Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus salivarius;
• 80 mg of vitamin C, which contributes to the normal function of the immune system and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue;
• 50 mg of L-glutamine, the most abundant free amino acid in our body, which fuels the cells of the gut wall so they can grow and protect your body (Kim and Kim, 2017).

The formula is vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free and GMO-free. Our certificate of analysis shows 11.6 billion CFU per serving, against the 10 billion stated. A 500 ml bottle lasts 33 days.

What our customers say

“I really love the liquid format and the taste of this supplement. Easy to take and not sickly at all!”
Mélanie D., Liquid Probiotic, review published on our Amazon store

“Although I'm usually loyal to one brand and to capsules, I wanted a change to vary my intake. I chose this product for […] its practical format.”
Barbara L., Liquid Probiotic, review published on our Amazon store

“Nothing like those capsule probiotics that often cause problems!”
Caroline M., Liquid Probiotic, review published on our Amazon store

Frequently asked questions

Is a liquid probiotic as effective as a capsule?

What counts is the strain, the amount of live bacteria and their protection from stomach acid. On that last point, a liquid with microencapsulated strains protects each bacterium, whereas a standard capsule opens in the stomach. And liquid has one more advantage: it's easier to take every day.

Can you put a probiotic in a hot drink?

No. Probiotics are live bacteria, sensitive to heat: take them as a shot or in a cool or room-temperature drink. And for vitamin C, it's best not to boil it.

Should a liquid probiotic be kept in the fridge?

Yes, once opened. Our bottle should be finished within 2 months of opening.

Probiotic drops or a bottle: what's the difference?

Probiotic drops are mainly designed for babies and young children, with small doses. A bottle with a measuring cap, like ours (15 ml a day), is intended for adults.

When should you take a liquid probiotic?

Once a day, ideally in the morning on an empty stomach or 30 minutes before a meal.

Can I take it if I'm pregnant, breastfeeding or on medication?

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice first.

Further reading

• What are probiotics?
• Tiredness and bloating: the role of the gut and habits that help
• Liquid or tablet vitamins: which should you choose?
• Our liquid food supplements

Sources

• Binda S. et al. (2020). Criteria to qualify microorganisms as “probiotic” in foods and dietary supplements. Frontiers in Microbiology, 11, 1662.
• Bezkorovainy A. (2001). Probiotics: determinants of survival and growth in the gut. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 73(2 Suppl), 399S-405S.
• Govender M. et al. (2014). A review of the advancements in probiotic delivery: conventional vs. non-conventional formulations for intestinal flora supplementation. AAPS PharmSciTech, 15(1), 29-43.
• Schiele J.T. et al. (2013). Difficulties swallowing solid oral dosage forms in a general practice population. European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 69(4), 937-948.
• Annan N.T., Borza A.D., Hansen L.T. (2008). Encapsulation in alginate-coated gelatin microspheres improves survival of the probiotic Bifidobacterium adolescentis 15703T during exposure to simulated gastro-intestinal conditions. Food Research International, 41(2), 184-193.
• Marco M.L. et al. (2021). The ISAPP consensus statement on fermented foods. Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 18, 196-208.
• Kim M.H., Kim H. (2017). The roles of glutamine in the intestine and its implication in intestinal diseases. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 18(5), 1051.
• Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 of 16 May 2012 establishing a list of permitted health claims made on foods.