Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to some of the most common questions we are asked about Symprove, we hope you find them useful:

1. What is Symprove?
2. How much Symprove do I need?
3. Is Symprove available in different flavours?
4. How is Symprove delivered?
5. When will my Symprove arrive?
6. Does Symprove contain gluten?
7. Can Symprove survive at ambient temperatures?
8. What's the shelf life?
9. How does Symprove work?
10. How long does Symprove take to work?
11. How long do I need to take Symprove?
12. Why is Symprove special?
13. How many bacteria are in Symprove?
14. What bacteria are in Symprove?
15. What does Symprove taste like?
16. Why choose Symprove?
17. Who should drink Symprove?
18. Is Symprove a natural product?
19. Who makes Symprove?
20. Can people with allergies drink Symprove?
21. Does Symprove have any down sides?
22. How much Symprove should I take?
23. How should I look after Symprove?
24. Is there any research into Symprove?
25. What are the health claims for Symprove?
26. Who controls the use of health claims on food products in UK?
27. What quality controls do you have in place?
28. How much is Symprove?
29. Do I take Symprove with food?
30. Can I mix Symprove with other things?
31. Can I mix Symprove into food?
32. Where can I buy Symprove?
33. How long have probiotic or 'friendly' bacteria been around?
34. Can I take Symprove if I am pregnant or breast feeding?
35. Can I take Symprove and drink alcohol?
36. How is Symprove made?

1. What is Symprove?

Symprove is a new probiotic food supplement. It is a barley based drink which is consumed once a day to deliver billions of 4 varieties of live, activated probiotic bacteria to the digestive system. We call it a next generation probiotic because of the unique way it delivers live activated bacteria as opposed to dormant freeze-dried bacteria which most existing products contain.

2. How much Symprove do I need?

This really depends on why you are drinking Symprove as everyone is different. Some people report a change with Symprove in a matter of days, so one bottle might be enough. For others it may take a few weeks which is why we offer discounts for multi-packs. We have customers who have only ever needed one bottle, some who have drunk Symprove for three months, and others who drink Symprove for a few days now and then when they feel they need it. There is no one size fits all answer so we've tried to offer as much flexibility on pack sizes as we can.

3. Is Symprove available in different flavours?

Symprove is available in 2 flavours – Original as well as Mango & Passion Fruit.

4. How is Symprove delivered?

We normally ship Symprove using a courier service where a signature is required on delivery. However, please be aware that in exceptional circumstances we may have to use an alternative delivery method which might take longer. However, this does not affect the probiotics in Symprove which easily survive ambient temperatures. If you have special delivery requirements please call our office on 01252 413 600 to make arrangements.

5. When will my Symprove arrive?

Symprove is shipped for next working day delivery for orders received before 3.00pm. Orders after 3.00pm are shipped the following working day. We generally use a courier service to ensure that your Symprove arrives quickly and safely. The courier will require a signature for your consignment. If you have any special delivery requirements, or your property is difficult to find or access, please telephone us to place your order on 01252 413600 and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

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6. Does Symprove contain gluten?

No, Symprove is gluten-free. In order to produce the naturally occurring bacteria in Symprove we use a special substrate to enable and activate the bacteria. Symprove is gluten free because the sterilisation process for our substrate has denatured gluten to an undetectable level - independently tested at less than 10 parts per million.

7. Can Symprove survive at ambient temperatures?

The probiotics in Symprove can easily survive ambient temperatures although we recommend storing Symprove in the fridge to maximise its shelf-life.

8. What's the shelf life?

Symprove will keep for up to 5 months in your refrigerator (usually 5-7 degrees centigrade) there is a use-by sticker on the bottom of the bottle. At room temperature the shelf life is shorter. Symprove is fine out of the fridge for a few days, for example whilst it is being shipped to you or whilst you travel for example when you go on holiday; we took the shipping time into consideration when we measured the 5-month shelf life.

9. How does Symprove work?

A healthy human digestive tract contains over 350 different kinds of bacteria. Most of these are good for us and live ‘symbiotically’ within or on the body. Many doctors and scientists believe that problems with these bacteria, for example too few ‘good’ symbiotic bacteria or the presence of ‘bad’ pathogenic bacteria can result in digestive and other problems. Symprove contains four kinds of live, activated bacteria. When you swallow Symprove, these naturally occurring bacteria reach your digestive system where they colonise (multiply and populate) and help to restore a healthy balance of ‘good’ bacteria. The difference with Symprove is that the bacteria you ingest are ready to get to work straight away.

10. How long does Symprove take to work?

People who have reported an improvement in the symptoms of a digestive condition whilst drinking Symprove have said this happened anywhere between a week and a month after starting to include the food supplement in their diet.

11. How long do I need to take Symprove

We recommend you add Symprove to your diet daily for 12 weeks before deciding if you wish to continue.

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12. Why is Symprove special?

As far as we know, Symprove is the only product available which contains four kinds of live, activated bacteria. This is important because many probiotic products contain only freeze-dried bacteria which are not always active when you swallow them. When bacteria are freeze-dried, many do not survive the process. With Symprove the bacteria are active right up to the point we screw the cap on so they’re ready the moment you take them and can start getting to work straight away. Many of the yoghurt type products on the market contain only one type of bacteria and with small numbers of bacteria compared to Symprove.

13. How many bacteria are in Symprove?

We believe that the number of bacteria is not as important as the condition and availability of the bacteria. In Symprove the majority of the bacteria are live and activated from the moment you swallow the product, but with freeze-dried probiotics the bacteria have to re-activate and many do not ever do so. Whilst we believe quality is more important than quantity, Symprove has both. A 50ml serving of Symprove contains at least 10 billion live, activated bacteria.

14. What bacteria are in Symprove?

There are 4 species of naturally occurring lactic acid bacteria in Symprove, L. casei, L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, and E. faecium. A healthy gut contains all four of these bacteria although some people have an imbalance which is where probiotics come in. Every millilitre of Symprove contains at least 200 million live, activated bacteria.

15. What does Symprove taste like?

Symprove Original has an unusual distinctive malty flavour and many customers describe it as ‘tasting full of goodness.’ For those who would prefer a more fruity flavour, Symprove is also offered as a Mango and Passion Fruit probiotic drink.

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16. Why choose Symprove?

Here at Symprove we believe the best way to take advantage of the benefits of probiotics is by consuming a product containing live activated bacteria rather than tablets or capsules containing freeze-dried bacteria. This means that the good bacteria can get to work in your digestive system straight away. It’s also important to take a probiotic that has the right kinds of bacteria in the right amounts. Symprove contains billions of 4 different types of live, activated lactic acid bacteria. We believe there is no better way to introduce good bacteria to your digestive system, but try it for yourself and see what you think.

17. Who should drink Symprove?

If you consume probiotic drinks, tablets or any other form of probiotic we recommend that you try Symprove. Symprove is very different to anything else currently available due to the unique way that Symprove delivers live, activated probiotic bacteria. It is important to understand however that Symprove is a food supplement and not a medicine. If you are in any doubt about whether to add a probiotic to your diet you should discuss this with your doctor or other appropriate healthcare professional.

18. Is Symprove a natural product?

All the ingredients in Symprove are naturally occurring from the barley we use to the bacteria that make it their home. The only additional ingredients are vitamin C, sorbate and citrate which are found in everyday foods. We also use natural flavours for the mango & passion fruit having carefully tested the stability of the flavoured product before release. Symprove is free from artificial sweeteners, sugars and colours and we do not use GM (genetically modified) products. Symprove is suitable for vegetarians and vegans as well as those who are lactose or gluten intolerant.

19. Who makes Symprove?

Symprove is made by Symprove Ltd., which is a family business based in Surrey. We have over 25 years experience of making probiotic products. All the ingredients of Symprove are sourced and produced in Great Britain.

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20. Can people with allergies drink Symprove?

It depends. If you are allergic to any of the ingredients then no. Symprove is gluten free and contains no lactose or artificial colours, flavours or sweeteners. If you have any questions at all please contact us on contact@symprove.com or 01252 413600.

21. Does Symprove have any down sides?

Occasionally (about one in five people) customers have reported a loosening of the stools during the first few days of drinking Symprove. Sometimes this has actually been an advantage if they have been very constipated beforehand, and in each case it has resolved after a few days. By far the majority of people get along fine with the product and many of them are kind enough to share their experiences with us.

22. How much Symprove should I take?

We recommend drinking 1 millilitre of Symprove for each kilogramme of your body weight, so if you weigh 70kg, drink 70ml each day. A measuring cup is included in the box to make this easy. Remember to wash the cup after every use to keep it clean. A 500ml bottle should usually last about a week.

23. How should I look after Symprove?

Symprove contains live activated bacteria. These are tiny living things (microorganisms) and they need you to look after them. Symprove should be stored in your refrigerator which is normally around 5-7°C. Like a lot of foods, Symprove doesn’t like large temperature fluctuations but will be quite happy in the fridge until the date printed on the bottle. Please do not freeze Symprove or leave in direct sunlight. You should always gently shake the bottle before use and replace the cap immediately after pouring Symprove. If you have any queries about how to look after Symprove, just give us a call on 01252 413600.

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24. Is there any research into Symprove?

There are two independent food evaluation studies taking place at King’s College Hospital.

25. What are the health claims for Symprove?

The law in the UK means that probiotics are categorised as food products, and it’s against the law to make health claims for foods. Many people believe that taking products which contain probiotic bacteria found naturally in the digestive system can help their health. The internet is a good source to learn more about other people’s experiences.

26. Who controls the use of health claims on food products in UK?

Any substance sold in the UK where a health claim is made is regulated by the Medical and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MRHA), an executive agency of the Department of Health. Because Symprove is a probiotic food it is classed as a food product and the company cannot make health claims under current legislation. Symprove complies with the restrictions on health claims but would like to draw your attention to scientific research referencing probiotic bacteria and their benefits.

27. What quality controls do you have in place?

At Symprove we pride ourselves on offering a top quality product. Every step of the product process takes place in clean room conditions (have a look here) and we send every single batch to an independent lab to be analysed. Quite simply, if it doesn’t meet our stringent standards, we don’t sell it. We know exactly what is in every batch of Symprove. Click on the link to see our ingredients and nutritional analysis breakdown.

28. How much is Symprove?

Symprove prices vary according to the quantity you buy. For customers who buy Symprove on a regular basis, we offer a very competitive monthly continuity plan. Our prices for Symprove are available here.

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29. Do I take Symprove with food?

We recommend that Symprove is consumed first thing in the morning, before breakfast on an empty stomach. You should leave a few minutes before eating but drinking is fine. We recommend this because liquids pass through an empty stomach very quickly, which means that the probiotic bacteria in Symprove have the best chance of reaching your whole digestive tract. If you do eat immediately afterwards or take Symprove with food it won’t do you any harm, it just might make it more difficult for Symprove to reach your digestive system as quickly as it would on an empty stomach.

30. Can I mix Symprove with other things?

It’s best to swallow your daily Symprove on its own first thing in the morning. It’s fine to drink afterwards, but we recommend leaving a few minutes before you have breakfast. This is because liquids pass through an empty stomach very quickly, which means that the probiotic bacteria in Symprove have the best chance of reaching your whole digestive tract. If you do eat immediately afterwards or take Symprove with food it won’t do you any harm, it just might make it more difficult for Symprove to reach your digestive tract properly.

31. Can I mix Symprove into food?

We recommend drinking Symprove on its own for the reasons above. Mixing it into food might upset the bacteria in Symprove and would also mean Symprove is held in the stomach for much longer than necessary. Probiotic bacteria do not like acidic environments such as the stomach and the unique way Symprove is produced, means that it can pass straight through an empty stomach without triggering digestion.

32. Where can I buy Symprove?

At the moment Symprove is available direct from us by ordering on this website or by telephone on 01252 413600.

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33. How long have probiotic or ‘friendly’ bacteria been around?

The bacteria in Symprove have been around for millions of years, humans and bacteria have been dependant on each other all along. It’s only more recently however that doctors and scientists have worked out just how important that relationship is. The technology behind Symprove has been refined over the last 25 years. Symprove has an agricultural sibling which has been used by farmers and vets worldwide very successfully and safely. It is also used as an all-natural feed additive to help animals with digestive problems.

34. Can I take Symprove if I am pregnant or breast feeding?

Unless your doctor or midwife specifically agrees to it, you should not take any food supplements or drugs during pregnancy or when you are breast feeding.

35. Can I take Symprove and drink alcohol?

The bacteria in Symprove don’t like alcohol. It has the same effect on their usefulness as it does on humans, so we don’t recommend drinking alcohol for a few hours after consuming Symprove. Unless you are partial to a glass of wine with your cornflakes this shouldn’t be an issue!

36. How is Symprove made?

Symprove is made in a clean, sanitised environment through a series of carefully controlled stages. First we boil specially selected grain to create a wort, a little like the first stage of brewing beer. The wort is purified and sterilised, then using precisely temperature controlled and sterilised vats, we carefully introduce each of our four healthy probiotic bacteria. The bacteria we use are extremely high purity laboratory cultures of healthy probiotic strains unique to Symprove. The probiotics begin to divide and once the required levels are reached we halt the process and the Symprove is ready for bottling. We pride ourselves on the cleanliness of our process and the purity of our finished product.