Kefir is a traditional drink common to Eastern Europe. It's a fermented dairy beverage that has the consistency of very thin yogurt. It's tart, but very tasty and contains a significant amount of probiotics that are very beneficial to your gut. Studies have shown that in addition to improving the health of your GI system, kefir has also been shown to have antimicrobial, antitumor and anticarcinogenic activity. Since the health benefits of kefir have become more well known, it's easier to find this fermented dairy product in your grocery store. It's typically found in the refrigerated section near yogurt or pre-made smoothies. Many companies that produce kefir do list the types of live and active cultures they add or use to make their kefir. Look for drinks that advertise the use of bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli strains. You can drink kefir as is or mix it into a homemade fruit smoothie. Plain kefir is quite tart, however you can find fruit flavored versions that are a little sweeter. Kombucha is another fermented beverage that has become more popular. It's a fermented tea that has a little bit of bubbly carbonation to it. There have been many health claims made about kombucha including the promotion of good bacteria in the gut. Kombucha is made by fermenting yeast and bacteria with tea. After fermentation, what results is a slightly sweet, slightly sour drink that has some natural carbonation. A few studies have shown that kombucha has antibiotic and antioxidant effects which will help support the immune and GI system. You may find kombucha in your local grocery store in the refrigerated beverage area. It needs to stay refrigerated until you consume it. Also make sure to follow the recommended expiration date. Some supplement companies also make probiotic beverages that are sold as a dietary supplement. These drinks are generally fruit juice-based with probiotics added to them. Many people may skip over the typical dairy-based probiotic beverages or foods because of lactose intolerance or a dislike of these foods. Companies are filling the gap by adding probiotics to fruit juices which have been shown to offer the same benefit. Studies have shown that the bacteria added to fruit juices can have a similar effect on the GI system as dairy-based probiotics. Since these beverages are being marketed as dietary supplements, you will find a lot more specific information on the types and amounts of probiotics they contain. This is an item where you'd want the CFUs to be over 5 billion and the strains included to be either bifidobacteria or Lactobacilli. You will find these fruit juice probiotic supplements in a refrigerated supplement aisle or in the refrigerated beverage section of your grocery store. These should be consumed immediately or kept in the refrigerated until their expiration date. Similar to the probiotic fruit juices, you will also find probiotic smoothies available. These are pre-made beverages that are dairy- and fruit-based and also contain beneficial probiotics. These probiotic smoothies are generally made from either yogurt or kefir that contain live active cultures or cultures were added during the processing of the smoothie. Many people may enjoy these smoothies as they are a little less tart and more sweet and palatable compared to kefir or kombucha. Note that some of these yogurt smoothies may have a significant amount of added sugar. Make sure to read the food label to see how much sugar is contained in one serving. Outside of a typical probiotic beverage, some supplement companies sell little "shots" or small servings of liquid probiotics. These may be another option if you're looking to improve the healthy bacteria found in your gut. In the supplement aisle, you may see a small refrigerated section with small-serving drinks listed as a probiotic supplement. They generally have a very high concentration of those good bacteria in a small amount of liquid. These are similar to taking a probiotic pill or tablet except that it's in a drinkable form. The idea is that you can get in an appropriate dose of probiotics in one simple "shot" and not have to drink a large amount of other beverages like kefir. As long as these drinks have at least 5 billion CFUs, the right strains of bacteria and fit into your dietary patterns (for example, being a certain calorie level), these are also appropriate to include.

Summary:
Drink kefir. Try kombucha. Choose fruit juice-based drinks. Drink pre-made yogurt smoothies. Consider purchasing supplemental probiotic drinks.