There are a lot of people who constantly suffer from unhealthy and irregular bowel movements and behind this discomfort, their gut health is completely responsible. In such a case, taking probiotics which are a type of live bacteria can make or break your stool situation. These microorganisms can be consumed by individuals in various forms or supplements like yogurt, cottage cheese, kimchi, and so on which may result in regulating bowel movements. However, there are also a few myths and side effects as well which are associated with its consumption. So, to give you a clear brief of this topic we made a complete guide answering “Do probiotics make you poop” which will surely sort out your bathroom habits.
Table of Contents
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are a type of live bacteria that are similar to those microorganisms which are already present in our gut. These bacteria are loaded with lactobacillus and bifidobacterium which ensure to eliminate the bad bacteria, maintain intestine health, promote food breakage, boost their absorption, support immunity, and regulate stool movement out of the body.

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Probiotics are also known as “good bacteria” and are just a fancy term for all the yeast, viruses, protozoa, fungi, and other microorganisms living in your body. It can be easily found in fermented food items and is also available in the form of tablets, capsules, or syrups in drug stores.
Moreover, the imbalance in this bacterial consistency in the gut can lead to conditions like constipation, loose motion, bad stool, or other stomach issues. However, there is not so much in-depth knowledge available about probiotics as the research on it is still in the early stages.
Do probiotics make you poop?
Probiotics surely have a significant effect on digestive health but it is not a laxative that can make you poop right after consumption in any form. However, yes, it helps in getting rid of irritable bowel syndrome, gut inflammation, or constipation, but only if taken regularly in an adequate amount.

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This good bacteria takes time to get adapted by the body due to which there are chances that you may encounter some minor side effects. Apart from this, as per many researches, it is reported that if you consume probiotics on a regular basis then you can have better health, consistency, and frequency of excreting your stool out of the body.
How to get the best probiotic?
There are a lot of dietary supplements which can give you probiotics for your body but however, there are a few factors that you should look after before buying or consuming any such source. To know about them, read the below-shared points:
- Species and strains: Whenever you want to consume probiotics, make sure that it is loaded with multispecies and multistrains so that you get more health benefits through one source only.
- Allergens-free: There are a lot of probiotics sources that contain allergens or fillers which may result in severe infections or allergies to the individual. So, make sure that before consuming such probiotics, look at their gluten, dairy, yeast, soy, or other contents from which you are allergic.
- Clinically tested: In case you are buying the supplements of probiotics, then make sure that it is tried and tested by medical experts. Not only this but also give attention to the manufacturing company and the certifications to ensure its reliability. Furthermore, if you are starting with any food sources of probiotics then you should also consult a dietician.
Sources of probiotics
There are a lot of food items or medicines which are proven to be a good source of probiotics. As per many nutritionists, probiotics can be easily added to our daily diet as it is present in many cultured and fermented eatables. Some of the most common and easily found probiotics sources are mentioned below so have a look at them:

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- Yogurt
- Cheeses like cheddar, parmesan, and so on
- Kombucha
- Miso
- Sauerkraut
- Kefir
- Kimchi
- Sourdough bread
Benefits of probiotics
There are a lot of benefits of adding probiotics to your daily diet and some of the major ones are mentioned below so have a look at them:
- It makes your immune system stronger.
- Helps in breaking down toxic and rigid substances present in food.
- Gives immense protection against harmful bacteria or pathogens.
- Promotes synthesization of different vitamins to form new compounds.
- Boosts the breakage of starches, carbohydrates, and other complex nutrients.
- It decreases abdominal pain.
- Cures diarrhea or constipation like stomach issues.
- Deals with the lack of appetite or tiredness.
- Give prevention from different chronic diseases like IBS, cancer, and more.
Side effects of probiotics
Probiotics are a safe option but however, but there can be a few possible side effects too as the body takes time to get familiar with any external agent which gives a significant impact on its functions and operations. Below are a few common side effects of probiotics, so have a look at them:
- Severe stomach cramps
- Feeling of nausea
- Acidity or gas
- Diarrhea
- Indigestion
- Minor infections
- Constant headache
- Sense of dizziness
FAQs
1. Do probiotics help in treating IBS?
Yes, as per many researchers, it is reported that probiotics have the ability to decrease the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. This microorganism helps in treating severe stomach pain, uncontrollable bloating, frequent loose motions, constipation, irritation while pooping, and other health issues due to IBS in an individual.
2. Does taking probiotics make your poop smell stinky?
No, there is nothing like consuming probiotics will make the poop smell foul as it just promotes bowel movement by making it healthier in all aspects including consistency, frequency, digestion process, time, and so on.
3. How do probiotics work better in the body?
Probiotics are not something magical that will show instant or best results alone. So, to make it work better or get tremendous effects, you should also add more leafy vegetables to your meals, do exercises, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated always, and maintain a balanced mild diet as well.
4. Which are the best sources of probiotics?
Some of the easily available and effective sources of probiotics include yogurt, cheeses like cheddar and parmesan, kombucha, miso soup, sauerkraut, kefir, kimchi, sourdough bread, and so on.
5. Do probiotics make you poop?
Yes, if you consume probiotics on a regular basis then you can have healthy consistency and frequency of excreting your stool out of the body. Consuming probiotics helps in treating IBS and its associated symptoms like constipation, loose motion, swelling, itching, irritation, and more.
6. How do probiotics benefit an individual?
Regular and adequate consumption of probiotics helps in making the immune stronger, breaking complex food and nutrition, giving shield from harmful bacteria and pathogens, treating irritable bowel syndrome, curing tiredness or lack of appetite, and so on are a few common benefits associated with probiotics intake.
Conclusion
Above we shared a guide answering “Do probiotics make you poop” along with its other aspects like side effects, benefits, sources, and so on which might have helped you in understanding this topic more clearly. Consuming probiotics will surely give you many health benefits but if you encounter any side effects then you must visit a nutritionist as soon as possible. Last but not least, feel free to connect with us through the comment box mentioned below for any further queries, assistance, guidance, tips, or more.