In partnership with Good Bacteria. Editor’s Note: We only select and work with partners that meet our quality standards, so you can rest assured we only endorse products we believe in.
“Gut health” is one of those wellness terms that’s everywhere right now. And with good reason: everything from digestion to immunity, nutrient absorption, and even mental health falls somewhere on the gut-brain axis. However, with so much noise out there about your gut, it can be hard to tell which products are actually legitimate.
When I heard Good Bacteria founder Anabel González describe the brand’s rotating synbiotic powder system on a Zoom call a few weeks ago, I felt both an instant intrigue, and a sudden calm. “You wouldn’t eat the same food every day,” she explained, “and your microbes shouldn’t either.”
Good Bacteria’s four-week routine of flavorless probiotic powder sachets is designed to support gut diversity by introducing new strains each week, rather than giving your body the exact same probiotic capsule every single day. A more resilient gut, in turn, can support everything from regular digestion and reduced bloating to immune function, nutrient absorption, and gut barrier resilience.
As a wellness editor, I’ve tried a lot of probiotics over the years. I’ve found that most are expensive and make big promises, and I’ve rarely noticed enough of a difference to justify a subscription. But Good Bacteria’s whole approach felt actually unique and refreshingly logical.
TL;DR: I gave in and tried it, and it’s the first probiotic situation in years that has made me feel a difference – less bloated, more regular, and genuinely lighter in my body (and, interestingly, my mood).
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My Experience Taking Good Bacteria
Let’s cut to the chase: while I’m not claiming to be a whole new me, I do feel like an improved me, especially coming out of a busy holiday season.
That’s because it’s been the sort of ‘resolution’ that doesn’t take much thought, work, or change to my typical routine (aka the most actually-doable type of resolution). It comes in a (gorgeous) box with four sections, each labeled Week 1-4 with a breakdown of the strains inside. To consume, simply tear your sachet open and add it to a cold glass of water. It’s totally flavorless – actually! – and can be added to any drink of your choosing.
The rationale for this system makes total sense, even to someone who isn’t the most scientifically inclined: your gut thrives when it’s supported by a wide variety of helpful microbes, but our overly-processed diets have reduced that natural diversity. Cue a boatload of probiotics hitting the market, most of which include the same strains in every capsule. While introducing them to your gut is a positive thing, your gut also acclimates to them.
A stronger system thrives on diversity, which in turn leads to better overall health. That’s why Good Bacteria includes: probiotics to widen strain diversity, prebiotics to feed beneficial microbes, postbiotics to support gut-barrier and immune signaling, and 3g of fibers to fuel the entire gut ecosystem. Each week, you’ll introduce new and different probiotic strains that keep your gut guessing. That guesswork is what builds the foundation of a healthy, resilient gut.
And, for once, I’ve actually felt my gut going to work. To lay it all out there, during the first two weeks, I noticed some bloating and gassiness, which did make me pause. It wasn’t unbearable, but it was noticeable — and as someone who’s taken probiotics in the past and felt nothing, I had a weird moment of appreciation that I could tell something was happening.
The good news: it didn’t last. Once my routine settled in, things shifted in the other direction. Less bloating, less general discomfort, more of that calm, light, “my body is cooperating today” feeling. Also, my winter skin is looking excitingly radiant. Granted, it’s been 70 degrees and sunny in LA this January which definitely contributed, but put simply, I’ve just felt good. Happy. And yes, I’m open to the possibility that my gut is playing a role in that.
A Closer Look at the Science
To get a bit more granular, let’s take a look at some of Good Bacteria’s key differentiators. Firstly, consider the week-by-week breakdown of your gut’s menu on Good Bacteria:
Each week serves a different purpose. Week 1 builds a foundation, week 2 broadens microbial diversity, week 3 offers the highest microbial count of the cycle, and week 4 recalibrates and rebalances your system, preparing to start the cycle once more.
The other inclusion worth mentioning is the 3g of fiber. Fiber essentially helps everything else do its job better. While capsule probiotics don’t include it, Good Bacteria does, as beneficial microbes depend on it to do their jobs.
If you’re feeling impressed by the level of detail here (and/or questioning why your probiotic isn’t doing all that): Good Bacteria was formulated with leading gut-health scientists and a founder on her own healing journey (perhaps the most unstoppable type of founder). Also involved? Researchers and clinicians who specialize in the microbiome, including advisors from Johns Hopkins, Stanford, and Oxford. It’s made without fillers, dyes, artificial sweeteners, GMO ingredients. Just high-integrity fibers and clinically studied strains, third-party tested.
A Gut Health Routine That Just Makes Sense
The best ideas feel obvious in hindsight. Good Bacteria is one of those. While so much of the wellness industry feels confusing and overwrought, Good Bacteria’s system just makes sense. Obvious and easy-to-understand, it’s also really easy to take, at home or on-the-go.
The brand’s ethos reminds me of an experience I had with an aesthetician years ago. After suffering with cystic acne for months, and trying tons of powders, serums, and potions, I dejectedly walked into an office and was greeted by a professional who encouraged me to hand things over to her. The onus was no longer on me as a consumer to figure out an issue much bigger than my understanding – I could simply follow a plan built by someone who actually knew what they were doing.
That’s how I feel about Good Bacteria. Expertly formulated by professionals and doctors, the brand is a total reprieve from buzzy labels and busy shelves saying a lot that I cannot decipher!
So far, this year feels more balanced, more energetic, and noticeably smoother (in every sense of the word). And I mean it when I say: Good Bacteria has played a real role in that.
