After decades of research, scientists know that good gut health is vital for overall health.
As this important message reaches more of the public, gut health supplements like Symprove are increasingly popular.
And because we all want to maximise the probiotic benefits, people often ask us when they should take Symprove. Does the time of day matter?
In short, taking this type of supplement at any time is likely to support your gut health. Still, some times are better than others. Below, we’ll explore this topic in detail.
Timing vs consistency
Symprove’s microbiologists recommend taking Symprove once a day on an empty stomach, ideally first thing in the morning.
After your dose, it’s best to wait at least 10 minutes before eating, drinking coffee or taking other supplements.
With that said, consistency is just as important as the time of day. If taking Symprove in the morning doesn’t suit you, pick another time when you have an empty stomach. Just make sure you can stick to it every day.
Our bodies (and gut microbiomes) have a daily rhythm, so keeping things predictable helps them thrive.
Why is the morning best for Symprove?
Symprove’s in-house scientists believe that taking Symprove first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach, is likely to be most effective. But why?
Our innovative fermentation process takes place in an acidic environment. This gives our microbes a head start because they’re already used to dealing with acid.
Consuming these microbes on an empty stomach extends their head start even further.
The friendly bacteria are alive and in a (delicious) liquid. Our research shows that when these bacteria are consumed on an empty stomach, they’re in and out of the stomach in just 10 minutes.
This speed helps ensure that they survive the journey and reach your intestines.
Why to wait 10 minutes before you eat
Because it takes around 10 minutes for Symprove to get through your stomach, you should avoid eating during this window.
If taking it in the morning doesn’t suit you, choose another time of day when you have an empty stomach.
A quick note on storage
Symprove’s products contain live microbes, so they need to be kept cool after they’ve been opened. Otherwise, the number of friendly microbes inside will slowly drop.
So, keep your bottles in the fridge, not a cupboard, once you’ve opened them.
How to make Symprove a good habit
As we’ve mentioned, taking Symprove in the morning, on an empty stomach is the best way to help ensure that our friendly microbes make it to your gut.
But there’s another reason why taking Symprove in the morning is a good idea: habit stacking.
Habit stacking is a technique that helps embed new habits in daily life. The idea is to attach a new habit to one that’s already ingrained.
For instance, someone who wants to do more exercise might do press-ups while they wait for the kettle to boil in the morning. Similarly, someone who wants to drink more water might have a glass just before cleaning their teeth.
Because you never forget to make coffee or clean your teeth, it’s more likely that you’ll also remember your new habit.
We all tend to have morning routines, so it’s often easier to find a morning habit to associate with taking Symprove.
If mornings won’t work for you, don’t worry. Just take it at another time when you have an empty stomach. This might be just before your commute, at bedtime or before your evening meal.
Coffee, breakfast and the 10-minute window
Most people take Symprove before breakfast because this habit can be easy to remember, and the supplement won’t compete with food. But what about coffee or tea?
Having a sip of water before Symprove is absolutely fine because water also moves through the stomach quickly.
However, it’s best to avoid warm drinks before you take Symprove and for at least 10 minutes afterwards. This is because our microbes are sensitive to heat.
Symprove and your routine: Timing with supplements and vitamins
Here’s a handy guide for the timing of your morning supplement and vitamin routine:
Symprove
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With food? Ideally not.
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Best time: Morning, on an empty stomach.
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Note: Wait at least 10 minutes before having food or drinks.
Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K)
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With food? Yes.
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Best time: With any meal.
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Note: Taking these alongside food boosts their absorption in your gut.
Iron
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With food? Generally not, unless your doctor advises differently.
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Best time: Not with tea or coffee, as these can reduce absorption.
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Note: Take it alongside something that contains vitamin C to maximise absorption.
Magnesium
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With food? Optional.
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Best time: Depends on your reason for taking it.
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Note: For improved sleep or relaxation, take magnesium in the evening.
Multivitamins
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With food? Yes.
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Best time: With any meal.
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Note: If you take separate calcium or iron supplements, have them at different times from your multivitamin because they might compete for absorption.
Special cases: Medications, antibiotics, PPIs and fasting
In certain instances, it’s best to take Symprove at other times of the day. Here are some examples.
Antibiotics
Follow your antibiotic regime as prescribed, and fit Symprove around it.
Try to have Symprove at a different time from the medicine. This is because antibiotics kill microbes, even the friendly ones.
PPIs and antacids
Antacids neutralise stomach acid, and drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) reduce the amount of acid that your stomach produces.
If you’re on either of these medications, just continue taking Symprove on an empty stomach (preferably first thing in the morning).
If anything, these drugs will enhance our microbes’ survival rates.
But as always, prioritise any medications first, and fit Symprove around them.
Intermittent fasting
Because Symprove is only 10 calories per serving, many people who are intermittent fasting continue to take it.
It’s still best to take it in the morning, but if you’re fasting, you’ll have more empty-stomach moments to choose from.
Shift work
For people doing shift work, the best time to take Symprove is whenever you wake up, even if it’s not in the morning.
Important note: Make sure to confirm supplement timing with your pharmacist or GP if you take prescription medication.
What if you take Symprove after food?
Mistakes happen, and even the best laid plans sometimes fail. If you take Symprove after eating, it’s not a problem. Even if you forget to take it, don’t worry.
Simply resume your normal routine of taking Symprove on an empty stomach the next day. You won’t need a double dose, either.
FAQs
Here are answers to some common questions about taking Symprove.
Is morning or evening better?
For most people, taking Symprove in the morning on an empty stomach is best. However, if that doesn’t fit your routine, you can take it any time you have an empty stomach. Overall, consistency is key.
Can I drink coffee after Symprove?
It’s best to wait at least 10 minutes after a dose of Symprove before you consume anything, including coffee.
Because coffee is hot, it might damage the friendly microbes when it reaches your stomach.
How long should I wait before eating?
Ideally, wait at least 10 minutes after your Symprove dose before you have food or drinks.
What if I forget a dose?
If you forget a dose, don’t worry. Just go back to your routine the next day. And there’s no need to take a double dose.
Summary
It’s best to take Symprove once a day on an empty stomach, ideally before breakfast and coffee. After your dose, wait at least 10 minutes before you have any food or drinks.
If the morning doesn’t work for you, you can take Symprove any other time when you have an empty stomach. Avoid eating for at least 10 minutes after your dose.
The important thing is consistency. Regular timing means you’re more likely to remember it every day. This will help your gut microbiome get the most from every dose.
To learn more about other health topics, visit Symprove’s Gut Hub.
Sources
Circadian rhythm of gastric acid secretion in men with active duodenal ulcer. Digestive Diseases and Sciences. (1986). Link.
Circadian rhythms and the gut microbiome synchronize the host’s metabolic response to diet. Cell Metabolism. (2021). Link.
Micro-habits for life-long learning. Abdominal Radiology. (2021). Link.
