A new study published in Food Research International is contributing to increasing scientific interest in how probiotics may influence gut microbiome disruption caused by antibiotics and gastrointestinal infection.
The gut microbiome plays an important role in digestion, metabolism and immune function. Disruption to the balance of gut bacteria, known as dysbiosis, can occur following antibiotic use or infection, with growing research exploring how this may influence wider gut function and inflammation.
In the new study, researchers investigated the impact of Symprove, the liquid, multi-strain gut supplement, on healthy and dysbiosed microbiomes using an innovative Colon-on-a-plate® system which replicates the environment of the large intestine.
Microbiome samples from 10 healthy human donors were evaluated under healthy conditions, as well as dysbiosed conditions involving varying doses of antibiotics and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) infections. Samples were supplemented with either Symprove or water as a control.
The study identified favourable impacts following Symprove supplementation in all conditions tested (original healthy sample, post-antibiotic and post-infection), as measured by short-chain fatty acid production which is a recognised marker of gut health. These changes were observed at 24 and 48 hours.
Significant increases and decreases in several other microbial metabolites were also observed with Symprove, many of which could be considered to have beneficial effects on intestinal inflammation, intestinal barrier health, and the gut-brain axis.
The investigators concluded, “Symprove supplementation significantly affected microbial metabolism, with many of the observed changes being considered positive for human health. Importantly, these benefits were shown not only in healthy fecal microbiomes, but also in fecal microbiomes with in vitro antibiotic-induced dysbiosis, showing therapeutic potential.”
Professor Simon Gaisford of University College London School of Pharmacy who was a lead investigator in the study, says “This innovative study has shown the potential of Symprove’s liquid gut supplement after antibiotics. I would recommend anyone taking antibiotics to take a probiotic like Symprove to support their gut health. You should take your antibiotics as prescribed and take your probiotic as far apart from the antibiotic doses as possible.”
While further research is needed to understand how these findings may translate clinically, the study adds to growing research exploring microbiome-targeted approaches following microbiome disruption.
The full published paper is available in Food Research International (Meulebroek VL, et al. Food Research International. 2026;227:118172).
About Symprove:
Symprove is the UK's No.1 live and active bacteria supplement*.
Founded in 1986, Symprove has spent decades investing in independent scientific research to help build a better understanding of the gut microbiome and the role it plays in overall health.
Unlike many supplements, Symprove's unique water-based formula is designed to deliver live and active bacteria to the gut, where they can have the greatest impact. It contains four strains of live and active bacteria, is suitable for everyday use and is free from dairy, gluten and artificial additives.
Today, Symprove is available on subscription from symprove.com and at leading UK retailers including Tesco, Boots, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Superdrug, and Holland & Barrett.
For more information, visit www.symprove.com.
For samples or more information, please get in touch with press@symprove.com or call 01252 413 600.
* Source Euromonitor International Ltd; Consumer Health 2026ed., Symprove retail value sales, UK 2025 data
