15 Best Probiotic Teas Of 2024
Probiotic teas are arguably one of the more useful food and drink crazes to come out in recent years. While it sounds like some kind of magic potion, it’s actually just a simple tea combined with some probiotics!
This type of tea mostly helps keep your gut and digestive system healthy while keeping you full.
The main problem with probiotic teas is that the probiotics themselves cannot withstand heat, meaning they were usually only used in cold drinks like Kombucha.
Luckily, thanks to modern technology, a few tea companies have developed bacteria that can withstand this heat – this means we now have a much wider range of drink options!
So, what are the best probiotic teas? It depends on the benefits you want. Different bacterial strains will give you different results. But, in terms of other factors to consider, you can take into consideration the flavor of tea, the form it comes in, as well of the quality of the ingredients.
In todays’ jam-packed articles, we will be having an in-depth look at exactly what probiotic teas are and the many health benefits they have.
Then, we will have a look at some of our favorite probiotic teas that can all be conveniently found online.
What Are Probiotics And How Do They Work?
As you may already know, inside our bodies there are a wide variety of different living bacteria. We won’t go into too much detail, but we can mainly divide them into good bacteria and bad (or harmful) bacteria.
Probiotics are considered to be good bacteria and are naturally present in everyone. So, naturally, people are trying to increase their good bacteria count for the many benefits they receive.
These naturally occurring probiotics are usually found inside the gut, mouth, urinary tract, lungs, and even on your skin!
One of the biggest benefits of probiotics is that they help eliminate the bad bacteria in order to maintain a healthy balance. Another good way of looking at it is that they keep your body neutral.
When you get sick from bad bacteria and yeast, the probiotics (the good bacteria) will increase and fight off the bad bacteria, eventually making you feel better.
Probiotics also help create vitamins and help you digest food better. They also help support the cells inside your gut lining to prevent bad bacteria from entering your bloodstream.
Overall, by improving the functioning of your digestive system, these probiotics can help lower the risk of diarrhea, help boost your energy levels, and can even ultimately help you improve your mental health!
The best way to take in some extra probiotics is by eating foods that already contain yeast or bacteria.
This includes things like yogurt, sourdough bread, tempeh, fermented sauerkraut, and of course, probiotic teas like kombucha.
Today, probiotics are also available in supplement forms such as pills, powders, and liquids.
Prebiotics And How They Work With Probiotics
Prebiotics are compounds that support a healthy gut microbiome (good bacteria) by feeding beneficial bacteria strains.
In essence, prebiotics serves as food for probiotics. Only once they work together can they provide you with the many benefits such as a healthy digestive system.
Prebiotics can be found in foods that are rich in fiber like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. If you remember, probiotics are found in fermented foods that include yogurt, sauerkraut, and tempeh.
What Are Probiotic Teas?
So, now that we know what exactly prebiotics and probiotics are and especially why we need to maintain a good number of each in our body, let’s have a look at what exactly these teas are.
Probiotic teas used to refer to just kombucha, which is actually more of a fermented tea that has been flavored and carbonated.
In the past, probiotic teas (or similar types of teas) had to be cold because the heat always destroyed the bacterial strains.
Luckily, a company called Bigelow Teas has developed a bacteria called Bacillus Coagulans (BC30) which is able to survive in extreme heat.
This opened up a whole new door of products, including hot teas. Now, when you steep your bag, the probiotics don’t die and you can still obtain their benefits.
There are two main types of probiotic tea: natural or supplemental.
Natural forms of probiotic tea include mostly drinks like Kombucha which are cold fermented.
With natural probiotic teas, you don’t always know the type of probiotic strand that you consume. Therefore, the benefits would be unknown unless it’s indicated.
Surprisingly, all white, green, and black teas already contain probiotics.
Supplemental probiotics teas are usually found in teabag forms (obviously labeled as probiotic tea) or supplemental Gut Power drinks.
These probiotic teas are fantastic as they indicate the specific strain of probiotic so that you know exactly the benefits you will be getting.
Potential Health Benefits Of Probiotic Teas
The biggest plus of the Bacillus Coagulans strain of Probacteria (present in tea) is that it can withstand heat and gastric acid. This makes it possible to use in hot teas, as it can withstand the heat.
The fact that the probiotics can withstand gastric acid means that almost 100% of the probiotics will survive through the stomach, which can then be used to maintain healthy functions in the digestive system.
So what does this mean for the body? The powerful strain of probiotics can help fight against IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). It can also help with bloating and gassiness.
Probiotics can be taken with antibiotics to help prevent side effects like diarrhea. Athletes can also benefit from drinking probiotic tea as it has the ability to reduce muscle damage markers and increase recovery times.
Hyperlipidemia is a term that describes a condition where abnormally high levels of lipids are present in the blood. Probiotics can be beneficial and help improve this condition.
And lastly, probiotics can also assist in preventing or treating autoimmune diseases such as arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Potential Side Effects
As with any other ingredient or dish, there are always side effects, especially when it comes to bacteria and yeast. Just like not all of the benefits are known, so too are the side effects not completely out there.
Side effects usually occur if too many probiotics are consumed, so be careful to not overindulge in probiotic tea – no matter how delicious they are!
As with introducing any new product to the immune system or body, the body might show some side effects while adjusting.
Some people might experience initial bloating, diarrhea, or gas when they first start using probiotics. However, this should go away soon as the body adjusts.
Anyone with a compromised immune system should avoid probiotics as some people have experienced severe bacterial or fungal infections due to the use of probiotics.
With any product or ingredient, there is always the risk that it might cause an allergic reaction in the body.
If you have an allergy or intolerance to soy, eggs, dairy, lactose, or gluten, we recommend exercising caution when using probiotics.
Buyer’s Guide
Buying the right probiotic tea might be intimidating at first, but if you know what to look for it can be easy and a lot of fun!
When buying probiotic teas, it’s always important to look at the type of probiotic it contains as well as the additional benefits the tea might hold.
Another important factor to consider is in which form the probiotic tea comes. If you want some tea bags to steep, a cold drink will obviously not be for you.
If you are looking for something to drink on the run, then a supplemental probiotic drink will work perfectly.
Type Of Probiotic
Not all probiotics are able to withstand heat, therefore it is vital to ensure that the tea contains the probiotic Bacillus Coagulans, which can withstand heat and gastric acid.
And of course, if you are looking for specific health benefits, the strain is essential!
Natural Or Supplemental
Natural probiotic tea will be kombucha, a fermented tea that contains natural probiotics.
But, as we have mentioned before, these probiotics can’t be determined as with supplemented probiotics. Therefore the health benefits might vary.
Supplemental probiotics are basically probiotics added to tea. This probiotic, Bacillus Coagulans, can withstand heat. Any type of teabag is virtually always a type of supplemental probiotic.
Additional Benefits
Depending on the strain of probiotics, additional benefits can include anything from healthy intestinal functions to the promotion of mental health.
This is usually determined by the other ingredients included in the drink, so make sure to buy the correct probiotic tea to suit your specific needs.
Green tea will contain more antioxidants, whereas black tea will have a bolder flavor. Rooibos tea contains many health benefits as well not only relating to gut health.
Packaging
A good quality probiotic tea will market all the benefits of their product. They will include exactly what has been used, how the product has been made, and the possible benefits you can get from the product.
If any product, in general even, is secretive about what is included, it is probably not the best or healthiest option.
Tea that is individually packaged will also ensure that the teas’ freshness, aroma, and flavor are preserved for longer.
Convenience
Probiotic teas can come in various forms which include sachets, tea bags, capsules, and cold drinks.
Sachets are convenient as they can simply be added to hot water and enjoyed. Sachets contain finely ground powder mixed with probiotics. Make sure this is as natural as possible as it has already been refined.
Teabags are the most natural form of probiotic teas because the herbs have not been processed at all. Teabags must however be steeped longer to ensure all of the flavors are extracted.
Capsules or pods are one of the most modern additions to the probiotic tea collection. This is only convenient if you have a brewing machine.
Flavor
Obviously, you will find a wide variety of different flavored probiotic teas.
Flavors that we absolutely love and that are relatively easy to find include Orange, Ginger, Tumeric, Dandelion, Cinnamon, and Licorice.
The addition of each of these ingredients contains benefits for the intestine as well as the overall health of your immune system.
The 15 Best Probiotic Teas
With so many delicious and tempting foods out there, we believe that it is crucial you do what you can to maintain a healthy digestive system and nutrient balance.
We have compiled a list of our favorite probiotic teas that can help you with just that while also just being a simply delicious drink!
| Rank | Product | Best Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | The Republic of Tea Get Probiotic | Best overall probiotic tea |
| 2. | The Republic of Tea Green Pu-erh | Light honeysuckle flavors |
| 3. | Bigelow Lemon Ginger | Can be used for hot and cold teas |
| 4. | Traditional Medicinals Organic Peppermint Delight | Caffeine-free |
| 5. | Traditional Medicinals Organic Dandelion Chai Tea | Delicate dandelion flavors |
| 6. | Steep by Bigelow Green Tea | 100% organic |
| 7. | Super Organics Metabolism Oolong Tea Pods | Gluten-free |
| 8. | Celestial Seasonings Black Tea | Made from non-GMO ingredients |
| 9. | Lipton Turmeric Ginger Tea | Enriched with vitamin C |
| 10. | Bare Organics Energy Tea Pods | Keto-friendly |
| 11. | Organic Cleanse Instant Elixir Mix | Made from fair-trade ingredients |
| 12. | Lakanto Sugar-Free Matcha Latte | Contains high amounts of antioxidants |
| 13. | B-Tea Kombucha Brewed Tea | Includes 3 flavors |
| 14. | B-Tea Raw Organic Tea | Made with raw ingredients |
| 15. | Teeccino Superboost Herbal Tea | Sugar-free |
1. The Republic of Tea Get Probiotic
This is an incredibly delicious variety of organic rooibos tea bags that have been blended with cinnamon, chicory root, and licorice.
Rooibos tea also naturally doesn’t contain any caffeine, making it a healthy alternative to coffee and energy drinks.
This tea blend features the powerful and heat-resistant probiotic, Bacillus coagulans (GanedenBC30), which helps your digestive system find the proper balance.
Rooibos tea also naturally contains a ton of antioxidants which can support your immune system and contribute to an overall healthier life.
These tea bags come in a reusable metal tin and are sold in batches of 36 bags. They are also completely gluten-free, kosher, sugar-free, and carb-free.
2. The Republic of Tea Green Pu-erh
This is a type of green tea made from a blend of Green Pu-erh leaf and DE111 Bacillus subtilis probiotic.
Overall, this tea will help support a healthy gut and promote a good digestive and immune system.
From this tea, you can expect some light honeysuckle flavors that make a refreshing and well-balanced tea.
This tea is also naturally sugar and gluten-free and doesn’t contain any carbs.
You can either use these teabags to make a delicious hot tea or turn it into a refreshing ice tea in the summer.
3. Bigelow Lemon Ginger
Here is one of the most popular tea flavors Bigelow Tea company has developed.
This lemon tea contains notes of lemongrass, zesty lemon peel, some cinnamon, gingersnap, lemon verbena, rose hips, and licorice roots.
Of course, it also contains the famous Bacillus coagulans (GanedenBC30) strain that is resistant to heat, meaning it can be used to make hot and cold teas.
These tea bags have been individually wrapped in foil pouches to help preserve their flavor, aroma, and of course, their benefits.
This tea, besides being gluten-free and kosher certified, also doesn’t contain any calories!
4. Traditional Medicinals Organic Peppermint Delight
These tea bags have been made from lemon balm leaf, organic peppermint, organic spearmint leaf, and have been enriched with Bacillus Coagulans.
While this is a tea that can be served hot, we would highly recommend making a refreshing ice tea.
The lemon and minty flavors are extremely well-balanced and will make an excellent, and healthy, drink.
All of the ingredients are organic, kosher, caffeine-free, and have been non-GMO certified!
5. Traditional Medicinals Organic Dandelion Chai Tea
These delicious teabags are perfect for those chilly autumn days.
Its chai spiced flavors are boosted with the addition of cinnamon, cardamom, and of course, some allspice.
And, on top of that, you get the powerful yet delicate flavors of dandelion.
This tea will help support a great digestive system and give you many other benefits from the spices.
6. Steep by Bigelow Green Tea
This is another fantastic product from Bigelow Teas – I mean are you surprised? They were one of the first and biggest companies to develop warm probiotic teas!
This is their Green tea variety that has been infused with some refreshing ginger and of course Ganaden BC30 (Bacillus coagulans).
All of the ingredients included are organic and have been perfectly balanced to create a tea that will work well served hot or cold.
Again, these teabags have been individually wrapped to help preserve their freshness and make them easy and convenient to transport safely.
7. Super Organics Metabolism Oolong Tea Pods
This delicious Oolong tea has been infused with a variety of superfoods and a probiotic.
These flavors include some delicious organic bitter orange, some Moringa leaf powder, and some Garcina Cambogia.
All of the ingredients are vegan and gluten-free, free from chemicals and all artificial products. Even the packaging has been made from recyclable materials that are all very eco-friendly!
These are capsules (or pods) made for machines, so, unfortunately, can only be enjoyed if you have one of those – also remember to check the capsule size and if these will work for your specific machine.
8. Celestial Seasonings Black Tea
This English Breakfast Tea has a very intense and rich full-bodied flavor profile that we absolutely are obsessed with!
Most probiotic teas contain a ton of different flavors, and sometimes, simple is best!
This tea does however contain caffeine, which depending on your diet and lifestyle can be a pro or con, so just be aware of it. It is however completely gluten-free and made from non-GMO ingredients only.
The teabags have been designed in a more environmentally friendly way, made without any strings or tags.
9. Lipton Turmeric Ginger Tea
This is a finely ground tea sachet that has been enriched with vitamin C and includes the Bacillus Coagulans probiotic strain.
It contains carrot juice powder, turmeric, orange juice powder, cinnamon, and ginger.
All in all, you will have a deliciously refreshing tea with a touch of natural sweetness.
All you have to do is mix the sachet with some hot or cold water, stir, and enjoy!
10. Bare Organics Energy Tea Pods
These black tea pods from Bare Organics have been infused with some incredible ingredients.
These include vanilla bean powder, allspice, black pepper, maca powder, ginger powder, and cinnamon powder.
It has been boosted with probiotics of course and will help you achieve a well-balanced digestive system.
This is an all-natural product that is also keto-friendly, gluten-free, vegan, and made from non-GMO products.
These pods are compatible with most single-serve and K-cup brewing systems.
11. Organic Cleanse Instant Elixir Mix
This is another supplemental sachet that can be made into a variety of hot and cold drinks.
You can even make a vegan latte with some almond milk!
This product has been enriched with Ganeden BC30 which helps promotes the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, helps improve your digestive system, and speeds up metabolic rate.
The delicious turmeric and ginger flavor makes it a fantastic drink in the summer and winter. And, what makes this product even better is that it has been made from ethical sources and fair trade ingredients.
12. Lakanto Sugar-Free Matcha Latte
This extremely healthy and flavor-packed matcha green tea powder from Japan has been used as a ceremonial tea for over 140 years.
The powder is extremely easy to prepare and can be made into either a hot or cold drink.
This is a tea that will help you detox and reduce your stress.
It is made from vegan ingredients that are diabetic friendly, gluten-free, low in sugar, dairy-free, and all-natural.
It also contains a high amount of antioxidants, probiotics, and L-Theanine that will help increase your metabolism and endurance.
13. B-Tea Kombucha Brewed Tea
Of course, we’ve got to include kombucha!
This fermented probiotic drink has been perfectly and carefully brewed to ensure you get the most benefits from the ingredients used.
Fermented tea has a ton of gut benefits and can help you detox.
It is an excellent source of antioxidants because of the Darjeeling Black Tea and Japanese Banche Green Teas.
And unlike a ton of other flavored drinks, these ones are low in sugar and will help boost your energy and immune system.
The pack includes 3 flavors: clarity kombucha, original kombucha, and green tea infused with lemon kombucha.
14. B-Tea Raw Organic Tea
This is another brewed kombucha tea from B-tea.
As with the other kombucha product on our list, this one also has the many benefits that this fermented drink has to offer.
This product is made using the Darjeeling tea variety and includes all organic and raw ingredients.
The pack includes a variety of flavors including their original flavor, green tea, lemon, and a flavor called tranquillity.
15. Teeccino Superboost Herbal Tea
The last product that we have included hasn’t been enriched with any probiotics.
However, it is a product that will help you maintain your natural probiotic count.
This is a caffeine-free and sugar-free dark chocolate flavored herbal tea that tastes just like hot chocolate!
And, what we love even more about these herbal tea bags is that they are stuffed with much more herbs compared to regular tea bags, adding a much more intense flavor to your tea.
Related Questions
Now that we’ve gone over the best probiotic teas available on the market right now, let’s take a look at a few related questions on the subject!
Should probiotic tea be steeped differently than regular tea?
Probiotic tea can be made in exactly the same way regular tea is. Simply add boiling water to the tea bag and steep for 3-5 minutes.
Squeeze out the teabag to ensure you get as many nutrients in your tea. Always read the instructions before preparing the tea as some teas might require additional steeping time.
Is probiotic tea a better option than Kombucha?
Technically Kombucha is a type of probiotic tea; however, it has been cold fermented. This might be the most natural form of probiotics, but the probiotic strain is not always known.
So in terms of which is better, it depends on your needs and the information provided.
Do different brands or types of probiotic tea have different benefits?
Yes! Most teas contain the Bacillus Coagulan probiotic but might have different strains of it. The type of tea itself might even have different benefits, such as green tea vs Rooibos tea.
How often should probiotic tea be consumed to make a difference?
Drink probiotic tea on a daily basis. About 2-3 cups are recommended, but even 1 cup a day will make a difference. Make sure to read the recommended intake.
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