There’s a lot of iffy gut health advice floating around on social media. And it can be hard to sort out what’s legit from what’s ineffective to what’s potentially harmful.
So we called on expert microbiologist Kiran Krishnan to give us the truth about what works, what doesn’t, and what could do you harm. We gave him the five most common questions you’ve been asking.
He gave us the answers you can trust.
1. Is apple cider vinegar (ACV) good for your gut?
There’s some evidence linking ACV and overall health, and Kiran supports this trend. ACV contains several compounds that can be supportive for health, including gut health, such as:
- antioxidants
- antimicrobial substances
- prebiotic fiber
- non-colonizing probiotic bacteria
- postbiotics
The probiotics in ACV get killed off during digestion, but they may still offer some gut benefits in the form of the postbiotics (beneficial bioactive byproducts) they produce. The antimicrobials in ACV may kill off some pathogenic bacteria if they come in direct contact with them.[1] So adding it to foods you’re eating may help to balance your gut microbiome.
ACV can contribute to general gut health, but it can’t maintain or restore balance in the gut microbiome or strengthen the gut barrier.
Want to listen instead of read? CLICK HERE
2. Does bone broth support a healthy gut?
Kiran gives the thumbs up to bone broth, due to good studies on how it affects immunity and gut health. Bone broth is rich in collagen, amino acids, essential minerals, and electrolytes… all needed for optimal wellness.
Some studies suggest that bone broth supports gut health, healthy inflammatory responses, and gut barrier function.[2] In specific animal models, researchers have reported reductions of up to 68% in inflammatory markers such as TNF‑α after feeding broth‑based preparations; however, these early findings are experimental and do not demonstrate that bone broth prevents or treats disease in humans.[3]
3. Are colonics good for gut health?
There aren’t any studies supporting the use of colonics, flushing out the large intestine with an influx of liquid that enters through the rectum. They work sort of like enemas and are supposed to clear toxins out of the intestines.
The liquids used can include water, coffee, and herbal mixtures. And any of these can irritate your gut rather than supporting it. Colonics may also cause anal tears, infection, or excess fluid loss. Kiran finds the whole practice unusual… especially since there’s no evidence that they offer any benefits.
4. Are spore probiotics good for maintaining a healthy gut microbiome?
Spore-based probiotics have great research behind them. There are dozens of scientific studies, including clinical trials, that demonstrate the benefits of spore probiotics for maintaining a healthy gut microbiome.
Research shows that spore probiotics can contribute to both gut health and overall health by:
- helping maintain a well-balanced gut microbiome[4]
- supporting a healthy mucosal gut barrier[5]
- helping maintain proper immune function[6]
- supplying nutrients such as vitamin K2[7]
- creating antioxidants including carotenoids[8]
- producing short chain fatty acids, which are vital to optimal health[4]
- fostering a nurturing environment for a wide variety of beneficial gut bacteria[4]
Kiran gives spore probiotics high marks for evidence of effectiveness in maintaining a healthy gut microbiome.
5. Will a parasite cleanse clear up my gut symptoms?
Chances are that if you live in the Western world, you don’t have intestinal parasites. Those are normally found in tropical and developing countries, and you’d typically get them by consuming contaminated food or water. So if you haven’t traveled recently, parasites are probably not causing your gut issues…so Kiran suggests considering other causes.
And if you do actually have a parasite, there’s no solid data saying that cleanses are an effective solution. There’s also no general agreement on what ingredients go into a parasite cleanse, though they’re typically made up of herbs, and there haven’t been clinical trials. In some cases, a parasite cleanse may even contain ingredients that cause health problems in certain people such as diarrhea, nutrient malabsorption, or dehydration.
If you do suspect you have parasites, see a doctor and get properly tested. They can prescribe medications proven to work against the specific parasite you are dealing with.
Just Thrive Gut Health Products
Just Thrive Delivers Gut Microbiome Support You Can Trust
Social media fads will come and go. Some will miss the mark; others could even prove to be harmful. But you can count on spore probiotics to help you maintain a well-balanced gut microbiome.
To keep your gut in health balance, it needs constant attention. Spore probiotics deliver the support your gut needs to maintain a diverse population of beneficial bacteria. And for added support, prebiotics supply the preferred nourishment for a wide variety of probiotic bacteria in the gut microbiome.
Just Thrive Probiotic & Antioxidant and Just Thrive PREbiotic offer a targeted combination of daily sustenance and support to keep your gut microbiome in healthy balance.
Just Thrive Probiotic contains four clinically studied spore probiotics:
- Bacillus subtilis HU58™
- Bacillus indicus HU36™
- Bacillus coagulans
- Bacillus clausii
Just Thrive PREbiotic contains fructooligosaccharides (FOS), galactooligosaccharides (GOS), and xylooligosaccharides (XOS), three types of prebiotic fiber proven to nourish only beneficial gut bacteria.
>> Trust Just Thrive Probiotic and PREbiotic to deliver reliable support to your gut microbiome every day. (Bundle and save with Core Health!)
And if you’re not quite sure these products are right for you? We've got you covered!
We’re confident that when you use each as directed, you’ll love the way you feel.
But if you aren’t completely happy, let us know.
Every Just Thrive purchase comes with our Bottom of the Bottle, 100% money back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with your purchase for any reason, you can request a full product refund at any time. Even if it’s been 3 days… 3 weeks… or 3 months. Even if the bottle is empty!
Sources
- Yucel Sengun I, Karapinar M. Effectiveness of household natural sanitizers in the elimination of Salmonella typhimurium on rocket (Eruca sativa Miller) and spring onion (Allium cepa L.). Int J Food Microbiol. 2005 Feb 15;98(3):319-23.
- Matar A, Abdelnaem N, Camilleri M. Bone Broth Benefits: How Its Nutrients Fortify Gut Barrier in Health and Disease. Dig Dis Sci. 2025 Jun;70(6):1951-1961.
- Mar-Solís LM, Soto-Domínguez A, Rodríguez-Tovar LE, Rodríguez-Rocha H, García-García A, Aguirre-Arzola VE, Zamora-Ávila DE, Garza-Arredondo AJ, Castillo-Velázquez U. Analysis of the Anti-Inflammatory Capacity of Bone Broth in a Murine Model of Ulcerative Colitis. Medicina (Kaunas). 2021 Oct 20;57(11):1138.
- Marzorati M, Van den Abbeele P, Bubeck S, Bayne T, Krishnan K, Young A. Treatment with a spore-based probiotic containing five strains of Bacillus induced changes in the metabolic activity and community composition of the gut microbiota in a SHIME® model of the human gastrointestinal system. Food Res Int. 2021 Nov;149:110676. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2021.110676. Epub 2021 Aug 30. PMID: 34600678.
- Marzorati M, Abbeele PVD, Bubeck SS, Bayne T, Krishnan K, Young A, Mehta D, DeSouza A. Bacillus subtilis HU58 and Bacillus coagulans SC208 Probiotics Reduced the Effects of Antibiotic-Induced Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis in An M-SHIME® Model. Microorganisms. 2020 Jul 11;8(7):1028. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms8071028. PMID: 32664604; PMCID: PMC7409217.
- Shapiro D, Kapourchali FR, Santilli A, Han Y, Cresci GAM. Targeting the Gut Microbiota and Host Immunity with a Bacilli-Species Probiotic during Antibiotic Exposure in Mice. Microorganisms. 2022 Jun 8;10(6):1178. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms10061178. PMID: 35744696; PMCID: PMC9228267.
- Sato T, Yamada Y, Ohtani Y, Mitsui N, Murasawa H, Araki S. Production of menaquinone (vitamin K2)-7 by Bacillus subtilis. J Biosci Bioeng. 2001;91(1):16-20. doi: 10.1263/jbb.91.16. PMID: 16232939.
- Sy C, Dangles O, Borel P, Caris-Veyrat C. Interactions between Carotenoids from Marine Bacteria and Other Micronutrients: Impact on Stability and Antioxidant Activity. Mar Drugs. 2015 Nov 19;13(11):7020-39. doi: 10.3390/md13117020. PMID: 26610529; PMCID: PMC4663564.
