Ritual Synbiotic+ Review 2024: All-in-One Prebiotic, Probiotic and Postbiotic

The products featured in this article have been independently reviewed. When you buy something through the retail links on this page, we may earn commission at no cost to you, the reader. Sports Illustrated editorial staff are not involved in the creation of this content. Learn more here.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases states that between 60 to 70 million people are affected by digestive diseases. That’s not even counting those who are undiagnosed or those who don’t have a digestive disease but deal with bloating and gastrointestinal discomfort daily. While an unhealthy gut isn’t exactly a medical diagnosis, growing research shows that maintaining a healthy gut is an important factor in overall health.

I’ve taken my fair share of probiotics in the past, such as big-name supplement brands, products from my local discount store and sometimes just drinking a kombucha and hoping that’s enough to support my gut health. As I’ve gotten older (hello, 30s), I’ve been more mindful about the things I put into my body and more intentional about choosing supplements backed by research.

I wanted to try Ritual Synbiotic+ because I always appreciate a brand that’s not afraid to put it all out there—meaning the source of each ingredient is disclosed, and every single ingredient is on the label. In this Ritual Synbiotic+ review, I’ll detail my experience and everything you need to know about this supplement.

Ritual Synbiotic+ At a Glance

• A combined prebiotic, probiotic and postbiotic
• Includes strains that have been involved in a multitude of clinical studies
• Capsule is designed to dissolve in the intestinal tract
• Traceable ingredients and visible supply chain
• Third-party tested for identity, purity, strength and composition

What We Love

• Three-in-one formula; no additional biotic supplements needed
• Capsules are easy to swallow in my experience, and the minty scent is pleasant
• Postbiotics provide energy to cells in the digestive tract to support gut health and the immune system
• Prebiotics feed probiotics so they can grow and support metabolic health, and the formula includes two highly-tested probiotic strains
• Made with vegan shelf-stable ingredients; no refrigeration required

What We Didn’t Love

• Ritual warns about side effects during the adjustment period, some of which I personally experienced
• Monthly supply costs more than other supplement brands
• Minty flavor may not appeal to everyone

What Are the Benefits of Synbiotic+?

According to the International Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics, fermented foods are generally not sources of probiotics, which is why gut health supplementation can be beneficial. Synbiotic+ has a blend of prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics. Prebiotics may reduce inflammation, support immune function, enhance the absorption of minerals and promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.

Probiotics have been shown to reduce symptoms associated with IBS and other digestive disorders. Probiotic administration can also increase the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in healthy adults. SCFAs balance gut bacteria, maintain the intestinal barrier, regulate the immune system and may promote fat loss. In a 2014 study published by the National Library of Medicine, participants in the control group given a capsule with Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain LGG twice daily lost more body weight and fat mass over twelve weeks than the group given a placebo. There is evidence that postbiotics have anti-inflammatory properties and also increase the production of SCFAs that serve as an energy source for cells and tissue and support metabolic health.

Ritual Synbiotic+ Claims

Ritual says that the Synbiotic+ three-in-one formula is designed to deliver gut and digestive support and immune health. The brand includes the most clinically studied probiotic strains, and each ingredient can be traced back to the supplier for full transparency.

The formula focuses on the quality rather than the number of CFUs (colony forming units). The ingredients in Synbiotic+ are in a delayed-release capsule that Ritual claims keeps the nutrients in their intended form until they arrive in the digestive tract for optimal absorption.

In addition, Ritual partnered with ProDigest in Belgium to conduct an in vitro study to measure the physiological impact of Synbiotic+. The study found that found Synbiotic+ significantly increased the production of butyrate, microbial diversity and the growth of beneficial bacteria.

Quality of Ingredients

Probiotic blend

The probiotic blend includes 11 billion CFU of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis strains. Probiotics are typically measured in colony forming units (CFUs), the number of probiotic cells that can divide and form colonies to support the gut. The National Institute of Health says, “Higher CFU counts do not necessarily improve the product’s health effects,” and Ritual emphasizes the quality of the strain over the quantity. In this section, I’ll break down the quality of each strain.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LGG): is one of the seven core classifications of microbial organisms most often used in probiotic products. Studies have shown that LGG can reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD), reduce the duration of gastrointestinal discomfort and may promote weight loss.

Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis (bifidus regularis): is another core classification of microbial organisms and works to restore missing microbial functionality to help manage IBS symptoms such as abdominal discomfort, gas and bloating. Bifidobacterium has also been positively correlated with increasing the number of SCFAs which promote the growth, development and maintenance of cells in the gut.

Both are sourced from strains of live bacteria by Chr. Hansen, a supplier based out of Hvidovre, Denmark. The Chr. Hansen website states that the brand ensures product quality and safety using management systems, risk control, audits, employee empowerment and the brand requires 100 percent traceability. LGG was Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA in 2020, and Bifidobacterium animalis was recognized in 2020.

PreforProⓇ

Ritual’s patented blend of prebiotics includes 15 milligrams of LH01, LL5, T4D and LL12. These are bacteriophages, good viruses that provide immunity against pathogenic bacteria. Research published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information states, “According to current knowledge, phages are the most predominant element of the human microbiome, and they are believed to play a crucial role in shaping microbial composition driving bacterial diversity.”

​​PreforProⓇ is sourced from a prebiotic bacteriophage blend by the supplier Deerland located in Kennesaw, Georgia. A 2020 clinical study at the same 15-milligram dose found that PreforProⓇ supports the growth of beneficial bacteria living in the gut.

Related Post: The Best Prebiotics for a Healthy Gut in 2023

Tributyrin

Tributyrin is a probiotic sourced from butyrate, a type of SCFA by Compound Solutions in Sevilla, Spain. Postbiotics have been shown to support the immune system, reduce inflammation and protect against harmful bacteria. Tributyrin particularly may increase the production of SCFAs in the gut, which plays a crucial role in gut health and maintaining the immune system. It has been clinically studied at the same 300-milligram dose included in Synbiotic+. This study found that tributyrin supplementation increases the abundance of healthy bacteria in the gut.

Other ingredients

The other ingredients include hypromellose, gellan gum, coconut medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, cellulose and silica. These ingredients are the inner and outer capsule ingredients designed to reach the intestinal tract. They come from Lonza, which used X-rays to confirm when capsules dissolve after being ingested during testing.

Ritual Synbiotic+ Cost

A 30-day supply of Synbiotic+ is $54, so each capsule costs $1.80. Ritual offers subscribers free shipping and savings when purchasing other products like multivitamins. Bundled savings is a great option for me because once I find a trustworthy brand, I order all my supplements from them so I know everything going into my body is of the utmost quality. Ritual also offers a military discount of 20 percent off the first three months for active duty, veterans, retirees, military spouses and dependents.

This supplement is priced slightly higher than other competitors like Transparent Labs, Swolverine, YourBiology and other probiotic brands. That being said, Synbiotic+ has a prebiotic, probiotic and postbiotic to support gut health, whereas other brands only include one biotic. My take is that if you find a supplement that makes you feel good and you can swing it in your budget, it’s well worth it.

Who Should Use Ritual Synbiotic+

The World Gastroenterology Organization says that those with digestive issues such as bloating, gas and diarrhea may benefit from taking probiotics and prebiotics. There is also evidence that this helps reduce irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms. Those who are taking antibiotics could also benefit from this supplement since these prescriptions reduce gut microbiota diversity.

I would recommend Synbiotic+ to any healthy adult who wants to support their gut health and wellness and is looking for a biotic supplement with multiple components and benefits. This is also a vegan-friendly product, and it does not contain any major allergens or gluten. I really like that it’s a shelf-stable supplement because some biotic supplements need to be refrigerated, which isn’t ideal when traveling or on the go. As always, consult with your doctor before starting a new supplement.

Who Should Not Use Ritual Synbiotic+

Those who are at risk of infection, have a weakened immune system, critical illness or recently had surgery should not take probiotics. Ritual states that Synbiotic+ was designed for those 18 years or older and to consult a physician before taking it if you are under 18.

What Customers Are Saying About Ritual Synbiotic+

The Ritual website doesn’t have any reviews, but Synbiotic+ is rated 4.3/5 stars on Amazon. A few common themes I noticed were that users who tried it experienced improved digestive health and regularity, had less bloating and stated the capsules are easy to swallow.

There are mixed reviews on the mint flavor; some found it overwhelming, and others say it helps them take the capsule. I personally enjoyed it and didn’t find it overpowering, but that’s my preference. Reviewer Iain Grae says, “This is the first probiotic I’ve ever taken that is easy to remember to take because I am actually noticing a difference in my gut health—mood, bloating, energy levels, etc. I’ve tried many of the top-rated and publicized probiotics and this one clearly stands out. I’ll be re-purchasing.”

Critical reviews mention the side effects Ritual indicates can take place in the first few days. I had some minor bloating and stomach rumbles, but nothing crazy. Supplements also affect everyone differently, which is why it’s important to note how a supplement makes you feel.

Other critical reviews state that the ingredients on the bottle are hard to read, which I can attest to. The light blue bottle with white writing has a lovely aesthetic, but I could definitely see the small print being hard to read for some.

About Ritual

Ritual was founded by Katerina Schneider in 2016. Upon searching for a prenatal vitamin, she found that many brands had products that contained questionable ingredients. From there, she built her own supplement company that offers products with clean, traceable ingredients and transparent labels.

The brand’s Made TraceableⓇ standards state that all the details for every Ritual product are disclosed and that includes sourcing, testing and packaging. The source, supplier and manufacturer of all active and inactive ingredients are shared, and Ritual only partners with suppliers who adhere to the same standards. The brand also has the following certifications: non-GMO Project Verified, USP Verified, Certified B Corporation and Informed Sport certified.

To learn about other Ritual products, check out our Ritual Vitamins Review.

Ritual Synbiotic+ vs. Athletic Greens AG1

Athletic Greens AG1 is a greens powder composed of 75 vitamins, minerals, whole-food sourced superfoods, dairy-free probiotics and adaptogens. It has 7.2 billion CFU of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum probiotics as compared to Synbiotic+, which contains 11 billion CFU. AG1 comes in powder form and must be consumed as a beverage. It does not include a postbiotic; however, it is a good option for those who want a vitamin supplement combined with a biotic one. I also want to note that the price per serving is around $2.48, which is higher than Synbiotic+ at $1.80, but this may be worth it if you want to incorporate multivitamins into your daily supplementation.

For more information, check out our Athletic Greens Review.

Ritual Synbiotic+ vs. Garden of Life Probiotics

Garden of Life has a probiotic for women, probiotic for men, pregnant people, kids, colon care and prostate health. Like Ritual, each has the widely researched probiotic strains Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium bifidum. The CFU count varies based on the product, but range from five to 50 billion. These contain only the necessary ingredients—the prebiotics, probiotics and the ingredients to make the capsule—but Garden of Life does not disclose the sourcing information like Ritual. The Garden of Life Probiotics don’t include postbiotics like Synbiotic+. This supplement does not need to be refrigerated, and the price of the probiotics for men and women is around the same price as Synbiotic+.

For more information, check out our Garden of Life Probiotics Review.

Ritual Synbiotic+ FAQs

What’s the difference between a probiotic and a synbiotic?

Both probiotics and synbiotics contain live microorganisms. The main difference is that synbiotics are a combination of prebiotics and probiotics that work together to support the gut more effectively than when they work alone.

Do synbiotics help IBS?

Yes, there is evidence that supports synbiotics reducing symptoms associated with IBS and other digestive disorders.

Should Synbiotic+ be taken in the morning or night?

Ritual states that it can be taken once daily in the morning or at night.

What are the signs that probiotics are working?

While some might notice concrete signs that the probiotic is working, such as less bloating or improved digestion, that may not be the case for everyone. Some users may have a healthier gut and not notice any outward changes. Ritual says some may experience some bloating and other minor gastrointestinal discomfort during an adjustment period that eventually subsides within a few days, but if symptoms persist longer than two weeks it's always a good idea to talk to your doctor.

Can Synbiotic+ help you lose weight?

Synbiotic+ does contain LGG, and one study found that it significantly reduces body weight and fat mass. However, more research is needed on the effects of probiotics on weight loss.

Takeaway: Is Ritual Synbiotic+ Worth It?

Bottom line: I really like Ritual Synbiotic+. The transparency of the label and ingredient sourcing is truly important to me when it comes to supplements because I like to know exactly what is going into my body. Overall, the capsules are easy to swallow, and I found the mint flavor pleasant. I also really liked that they are shelf-stable and don’t require refrigeration. Ritual uses a formula of prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics and selected strains that are cited in hundreds of studies. Synbiotic+ is an excellent product for those who want a supplement from a trusted source that contains essential, clean ingredients.