| Access the guide HERE |
The first-ever Guide to Probiotic Products Available in the United Kingdom has officially launched, marking a significant milestone in the way healthcare professionals and consumers navigate the complex, and often misleading, world of probiotics.
Developed in collaboration with a review committee of UK probiotic experts, the Diet and Health OIRC INFORM Hub, the University of Reading, the University of Leeds, Kings College London and the Alliance for Education on Probiotics (AEProbio), this guide provides a necessary, evidence-based resource in a market where misleading claims and inconsistent product quality can make informed choices difficult.1
A Fully Independent, Science-Led Resource
Unlike many other probiotic resources, the UK Guide to Probiotic Products is entirely free from financial backing, sponsorship, or influence from any probiotic companies. Its development and review process have been conducted independently, ensuring that scientific evidence is gathered in one place. This non-commercial, unbiased, research-driven approach makes it the most authoritative and reliable probiotic reference available in the UK.
Why is This Guide Essential?
The first independent UK resource for both healthcare professionals (HCPs) and the public
Completely free from industry influence—ensuring an unbiased, evidence-based approach
Addresses widespread confusion about probiotic selection, cutting through marketing myths and misinformation
Bridges the knowledge gap—probiotics are widely available, but well-researched products are sold alongside non-researched
products, which generates uncertainty about product effectiveness and efficacy
Empowers users to select products based on published scientific evidence rather than marketing claims
Regularly updated to reflect the latest research, product availability, and regulatory changes
The Problem: Misinformation and Misunderstanding
The UK probiotic market is growing rapidly2; however, from a consumer or even a health care perspective, it is very difficult to recognise a well-researched product from one that has no research behind it. As such, many people—healthcare professionals included—struggle to understand how or which probiotics should be used. Marketing often promotes probiotics as a one-size-fits-all solution, when in reality, their effects are strain-specific, condition-dependent and dosage-sensitive.
Without proper guidance, people may:
Choose the wrong strain for their needs
Waste money on products with little or no evidence of benefit to health
Be misled by vague or exaggerated health claims
The UK Guide to Probiotic Products addresses these challenges by:
Providing clear details of research studies conducted for specific health conditions
Outlining which strains have evidence of efficacy, at what doses, and for which indications
Helping consumers and HCPs select appropriate products with confidence
What to Expect from the Guide
A transparent, science-based tool designed to assist HCPs and consumers in selecting the appropriate probiotic
A systematic review of peer-reviewed evidence, assessing the strength of research supporting each product
A breakdown of commercially available probiotic products, detailing strain composition, dosage, and clinical applications
Annual updates to ensure the guide remains at the forefront of probiotic research
Access the UK Guide to Probiotic Products
Interactive website: https://probioticguide.uk/
The Probiotic Guide UK mobile app is also available via Google Play (Android) and the Apple App Store (iOS), as well as a downloadable and printable PDF.
Authors:
Sarah Danaher, BSc MSc RD (UK Team Lead), Dragana Skokovic-Sunjic BScPhm RPh MSCP
UK Expert Review Committee:
Dr Gemma Walton – University of Reading
Prof Glenn Gibson – University of Reading
Prof Kieran Tuohy – University of Leeds
Dr Anthony Buckley – University of Leeds
Lorraine Bailey – University of Leeds
Fiona Lee – University of Reading
Prof Kevin Whelan – Kings College London
Dr Eirini Dimidi – Kings College London
Prof Janet Cade – University of Leeds
Dr James Kennedy – Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Dr Andrea Monteagudo-Mera – Univesity of Reading
Contacts for enquiries
Sarah Danaher info@srdnutrition.co.uk
Dragana Skokovic-Sunjic dsunjic@bhsoftinc.com
References:
1.Neunez, Marie et al. “Online Information on Probiotics: Does It Match Scientific Evidence?.” Frontiers in medicine vol. 6 296. 15 Jan. 2020, doi:10.3389/fmed.2019.00296
2.Spherical Insight “United Kingdom Probiotics Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Types (Functional Food & Beverages, Dietary Supplements, and Animal Feed), By Distribution Channel (Supermarkets/Hypermarkets, Health Stores/Pharmacies, Online Retail Stores, and Others), and United Kingdom Probiotics Market Insights, Industry Trend, Forecasts to 2033”, Aug 2024, SI5735