Do Probiotic Drinks and Supplements Really Work? The Cases Where They Help Are Surprisingly Narrow [2026 Evidence Review]
Moderate-certainty benefit exists only for preventing antibiotic-associated and C. difficile diarrhea (specific strains; no effect in inpatients over 65). Cold prevention, mood, and weight loss in healthy adults show small effects from mostly industry-funded trials. Effects are strain-specific, and taking probiotics after antibiotics may delay recovery (Cell 2018).
