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Are Probiotics Vegan? Plus 12 Vegan Sources Of Probiotics

Brooke Ely Danielson
Author: Expert reviewer:
January 26, 2023
Brooke Ely Danielson
mbg Contributing Writer
By Brooke Ely Danielson
mbg Contributing Writer
Brooke Ely Danielson is certified in plant-based nutrition through the T. Colin Campbell Center of Nutrition Studies via Cornell University and offers plant-based coaching. She is an editor and consultant for several publications.
Ashley Jordan Ferira, Ph.D., RDN
Expert review by
Ashley Jordan Ferira, Ph.D., RDN
mbg Vice President of Scientific Affairs
Ashley Jordan Ferira, Ph.D., RDN is Vice President of Scientific Affairs at mindbodygreen. She received her bachelor's degree in Biological Basis of Behavior from the University of Pennsylvania and Ph.D. in Foods and Nutrition from the University of Georgia.
January 26, 2023
We carefully vet all products and services featured on mindbodygreen using our commerce guidelines. Our selections are never influenced by the commissions earned from our links.

Gut health and vegan eating are two subjects you can often find circulating among the health-inclined in social media, blogs, and casual conversations these days.

If you're a regular mindbodygreen reader, you've likely gleaned some answers to your questions around both of these popular topics.

For example: Should I take a probiotic for my gut health? What's the difference between vegan and plant-based? The list goes on.

Still, there's one important question that falls at the intersection of both these realms: Are probiotics vegan?

As it turns out, the answer isn't so cut-and-dried. To clear things up, we chatted with experts to get their take on what makes a probiotic vegan or not, where to get a trusted supplement that fits the bill, along with vegan foods that offer some probiotic benefits.

Are probiotics vegan?

Not all probiotics are created equal, and not all are animal-free.

Probiotics are live microorganisms (namely, healthy bacteria) that can benefit your digestive system.* So, are they vegan?

"Probiotics consist of fermented vegan sources and fermented dairy-based sources (animal-based)," says Colorado-based dietitian Lauren Mitchell M.S., R.D..

They may or may not be animal-free depending on the probiotic source you choose, so it's important to read the ingredients carefully and select accordingly.

For example, if there is dairy in the mix or the pill's capsule is made of gelatin (i.e., gelcap/softgel), the probiotic is not vegan.

Summary

Probiotics may or may not be vegan depending on the source you choose. Read the ingredients carefully and select accordingly. If there is dairy in the mix or the pill's capsule is made of gelatin (i.e., gelcap/softgel), the probiotic is not vegan.

How to find a vegan probiotic supplement

Start with (careful) research. You can do this online or in person at your local health food store. First and foremost, it's important to read the labels carefully and ask yourself: What are the ingredients? What is the capsule made of? Are these vegan?

Certain vegan supplements will be certified vegan and labeled with a circular "certified vegan" logo and/or a green vegan certification.

Summary

Research good vegan probiotics. It's important to read the label carefully and look at the ingredients and what the capsule is made of.

Our favorite vegan probiotic supplements

Probiotic shopping can be overwhelming, so we have put together four vegan probiotic supplements that you can be confident are vegan certified and approved:

mindbodygreen probiotic+

Our proprietary probiotic is the only one on the market with the combination of these four strains: B. lactis Bi-07, B420, HN019, and L. acidophilus NCFM. This formula helps reduce bloat and helps aid in digestion.* 

"Not only is mbg's probiotic+ shelf-stable and includes four strains backed by clinical research, but we also made sure it was vegan, GMO-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and free of all major food allergens," says mbg's vice president of scientific affairs Ashley Jordan Ferira, Ph.D., RDN. "Even the capsule that our premium probiotic strains are encased in is vegan."

probiotic+, mindbodygreen ($69)

mbg probiotic+ supplement bottle
mindbodygreen

Pure Encapsulations PureProbiotic

Lisa Cohen, M.S., C.N., a Colorado-based holistic nutritionist recommends "PureProbiotic 60, by Pure Encapsulations to [her] clients. This product is certified to be made with hypoallergenic and vegan ingredients and is a great multi-strain probiotic that specifically targets GI health and immune support."*

PureProbiotic, Pure Encapsulations ($22)

Pure Encapsulations probiotic
Pure Encapsulations

The Nue Co Plant Probiotic Protein

Made from pea, hemp, and brown rice, plus a probiotic spore (Bacillus coagulans), this plant protein probiotic powder delivers all nine essential amino acids, per serving. Add to your daily smoothie, or blend with a plant-based milk in the morning or evening.* 

Plant Probiotic Protein, The Nue Co. ($35)

The Nue Coe probiotic
The Nue Coe

Beauty Chef GLOW Inner Beauty Essential

This bio-fermented blend with Flora Culture™ is another vegan powder probiotic supplement choice. In addition to probiotics (Saccharomyces boulardii, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GUT5Y), trace minerals, seeds, and fiber, it's also packed with nutrient-dense ingredients like sweet potatoes, mung beans, chickpeas, and lentils.*

Glow Inner Beauty Essential, Beauty Chef ($69)

beauty chef glow probiotic
beauty chef

Vegan foods with probiotics

There are a number of probiotic-rich vegan foods to uncover at your local market—you just have to know what to look for.

Mitchell and Cohen both suggest reaching for fermented plant foods, which are fantastic sources of good bacteria.

Mitchell also notes that it's important to eat "prebiotic food sources, such as bananas, onions, garlic, leeks, asparagus, artichokes, beans, and whole-grain foods," which help feed the probiotics in your gut.

Here are seven of the best vegan foods with probiotics, according to the experts:

1.

Kimchi

Kimchi is a Korean dish made up of fermented vegetables1, most commonly cabbage. It contains the living probiotic Lactobacillus, which is fantastic for your gut health.*

Try this recipe for kimchi noodle soup.

2.

Tempeh

Made from fermented soybeans, tempeh is a nutrient-dense vegan protein that contains both probiotics and prebiotics. One of our favorite brands to use is Lightlife

3.

Olives

It's easy to forget, but olives2 are actually a probiotic food, rich in gut-healthy bacteria (Lactobacillus, to be exact). Just be sure the olives you buy are cured in brine, not just plain water. Toss these tasty bites into a bowl for a snack, sprinkle them on your favorite salad, or whip them into a dip.

4.

Coconut yogurt

Yogurt is a classic probiotic food3, and luckily, vegan versions fit the bill! We're personally fans of coconut yogurt, such as GT's Cocoyo, which is made from coconuts and doesn't contain additives, fillers, or gums.

5.

Kombucha

Kombucha is a fermented tea that is bursting with gut-friendly Lactobacillus bacteria. Plus, this effervescent functional drink is fun to sip on!

Try this hibiscus ginger fizz cocktail, featuring kombucha.

6.

Miso

Miso is also a great ingredient to keep handy in the kitchen, as it can pack a lot of punch to home-cooked dishes. Miso, like tempeh, is made from fermented soybeans4 and contains bacteria that are beneficial for the gut. It is also rich in B vitamins, plus vitamins E and K. 

Try this delicious miso soup recipe at home.

7.

Sauerkraut

A popular (and delicious condiment), sauerkraut is typically made by fermenting raw cabbage with various lactic acid bacteria. As Maggie Moon, M.S, R.D., previously told mbg, "It also offers nourishment that might not show up on a nutrition label, such as probiotics, flavonoids that protect against oxidative damage, and antimicrobial compounds."

The takeaway

Keeping your gut health in check is essential to your overall health. If you're vegan, there are a number of great supplements and food options to help incorporate more probiotics into your diet.

Whether you are adding a probiotic powder to your daily smoothie or taking it as a daily supplement—there are options to suit just about anyone's needs.

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