A comprehensive analysis of the pros and cons of health food forms: How to smartly choose and avoid excessive chemical additives?

A comprehensive analysis of the pros and cons of health food forms: How to smartly choose and avoid excessive chemical additives?

How should I choose the right probiotics for me?

There are many factors to consider when selecting probiotics, such as the number of strains and evidence of efficacy to ensure you get enough quantity and effectiveness. Another reference standard is the "form of probiotics."

Different forms of probiotics affect the excipients, flavoring agents, the number of strains that can be included, and even the survival rate of live bacteria reaching the digestive tract.

The five main forms of probiotics are: powder, capsules, tablets, drops, and gummies.

The primary differences in probiotic forms during production are:

• The amount of flavoring agents added
• The number of strains that can be included
• The survival rate of live bacteria: this affects whether the packaging can effectively block oxygen (most probiotics have anaerobic characteristics) and whether the production process is likely to cause live bacteria to die.

For consumers, the biggest differences are "whether it's tasty," "whether it's easy to take," "whether infants can consume it," and "whether it's convenient to carry."

Probiotic Powder

Probiotic powder is a relatively raw form obtained after the fermentation of live bacteria. Most probiotics produced by major international manufacturers are primarily in this form. However, because the taste of certain probiotic strains can be unpleasant, many products add flavoring agents to make them more palatable, often using sweeteners like sucralose or juice powders. This can lead consumers to misinterpret the taste of probiotics, which may inadvertently create an unnecessary burden on the body.

Moreover, powders can be categorized into granulated and non-granulated forms. The main purpose of granulation is to meet production requirements, preventing the raw powder from becoming too fine and causing processing issues. Granulation involves the use of organic solvents, heat, and pressure, which can affect the activity of probiotics. Therefore, probiotics are not added during this stage; they are mixed in only after granulation is completed, followed by filling and packaging. As a result, a drawback of powders is that consumers may reduce their intake of probiotics due to the bacteria sticking to the packaging.

Advantages：

• Typically, a single packet can meet the daily intake of probiotics, which is the main reason most probiotic products use powder form.
• Fast absorption: Powdered forms can be absorbed more quickly by the digestive system, allowing probiotics to reach the intestines faster and take effect.
• Can be added to food: Powder can be easily mixed into beverages or foods (like yogurt), increasing the diversity of consumption methods and flavors, especially for children who may resist swallowing pills or capsules, making this form more acceptable.

Disadvantages：

• Granulation may lead to the ingestion of unnecessary food additives and reduced intake due to probiotics sticking to the packaging.
• Less convenient to use: Taking powdered forms directly may cause choking sensations, so individuals who find this difficult may need to mix it with food or beverages.
• Possible non-specific taste: Some powdered probiotics may have distinct flavors or odors, and to make them more palatable, they might need to be combined with other drinks or foods to mask these tastes.
• Powdered probiotic products are not easy to preserve, especially in Taiwan's humid and hot weather. If the powder becomes sticky, it can be difficult to open and swallow.
• No protective coating: Powdered probiotics lack the protective capsule shell, making it harder for the beneficial bacteria to survive until they reach the intestines, potentially limiting their effectiveness.

Probiotic Tablets

For probiotics, live bacteria are relatively fragile, and the tablet-making process involves high temperatures and pressures, requiring binders to compact the mixture (binders account for about 90% of the total). This significantly affects the activity of probiotics.

Advantages：

• Easy for adults to swallow.

Disadvantages：

• The tablet-making process generates high temperatures and pressures, which can easily kill fragile live bacteria.
• Contains excipients necessary for the manufacturing process, such as magnesium stearate and binders.

Probiotic Capsules

Probiotic capsules are made by encasing probiotic powder in a capsule material, which helps to mask the unpleasant odors of some probiotics.

Fecula Biotechnology uses a resistant starch encapsulation technique with green bananas, which, compared to conventional probiotic encapsulation methods, not only protects the probiotics from degradation by stomach acid, bile salts, and digestive enzymes but also provides nutrients to the probiotics once they reach the intestines, enhancing colonization efficiency. Additionally, resistant starch promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestines, offering greater health advantages!

Advantages：

• Less affected by digestive environment: The capsule adds an extra protective layer, making it less susceptible to the digestive environment compared to powders.
• Protects probiotics and ensures efficacy: The capsule shell protects probiotics from stomach acid, helping them survive and grow in the intestines, ensuring that probiotic products achieve their maximum effectiveness.
• Pleasant taste, no flavor: Probiotics in capsules are usually tasteless and easy to swallow. 
• Convenient to use: Capsules are easy to use, with each capsule containing a fixed dose of probiotics, leaving no residue in the packaging, and are less likely to absorb moisture and spoil, making them very portable.
• Capsule-form probiotics are not only convenient to carry but also easy to store.

Disadvantages：

• Longer absorption time: Capsules require time to dissolve and release probiotics in the digestive system, which may slightly delay the onset of their effects, but this does not affect usability.
• Need to be taken with water: Capsules require sufficient water to help swallow, making them more difficult to take directly.
• If the capsule shell is made of gelatin, it may not be suitable for vegetarians.

Probiotic Drops

Probiotic drops are made by mixing probiotic powder with oil; however, since probiotic powder is water-soluble and incompatible with oil, it tends to settle at the bottom of the bottle. Therefore, the usage instructions for probiotic drops will always indicate, "Please shake well before use."

Probiotic drops are commonly used for infants and young children, primarily encapsulating probiotics in oil form to reduce the impact of environmental factors on live bacteria.

Advantages：

• Oil protection reduces the impact of environmental factors on bacterial viability.
• Easy for infants and young children to consume.

Disadvantages：

• The number of bacteria consumed each time cannot be estimated.
• Probiotic powder does not dissolve in oil, making it prone to settling at the bottom; even with thorough shaking, the probiotic content in each drop may vary.
• Repeated use increases exposure to the environment, raising contamination risks.
• Unlike probiotic powders, which are disposed of after a single-use package, the dropper bottle's opening is exposed to the environment each time it is opened, potentially allowing other microorganisms or bacteria to adhere.

Probiotic Gummies

Whether in powder, capsule, or tablet form, children often feel like they are taking "medicine." Gummies tend to be more acceptable to children.

However, to make probiotic gummies taste good, a large amount of sugar must be added, along with colorings, flavorings, sweeteners, etc. While they are tasty, they are also one of the least healthy options.

Advantages：

• High acceptance among children.

Disadvantages：

• Most probiotic gummies do not specify the number of bacteria.
• The production process requires high temperatures to dissolve the gel before molding, which greatly affects bacterial viability.
• Contains the most flavorings and additives.
• In addition to the sugars and flavorings used for taste, gummies often include additives like pectin and gelatin during the manufacturing process.

Is probiotic capsules better than powder?

Choosing between capsules or powdered probiotics ultimately depends on personal preference and consumption habits. If you prefer capsule probiotics and are looking for a recommended brand, Fecula Biotechnology's series of probiotics is an ideal choice. Fecula Biotechnology's probiotic products use a patented "green banana resistant starch encapsulation technology," which encases live probiotics in resistant starch to protect them from environmental damage, reducing the chances of probiotics being destroyed by temperature, humidity, stomach acid, bile salts, or enzymes, thus significantly increasing their survival rate in the body and effectively achieving ideal colonization results. Additionally, the capsules are made from plant materials, making them safe for lacto-vegetarian consumers.