Probiotics and Public Perceptions: Navigating Myths, Evidence, and Clinical Realities in Gut Health

This journal discusses the rising popularity of probiotics alongside increased awareness of gut health, yet accompanied by a gap between public perception and scientific evidence. The research aims to examine these differences through a qualitative literature review of scientific publications from 2015–2025. The results indicate that the benefits of probiotics are specific depending on the strain, dosage, and individual conditions, while the public tends to view them as a universal solution. Factors such as commercial marketing, weak regulation, and low health literacy reinforce misconceptions. The implications are that there is a need to strengthen regulation, educate healthcare professionals, and provide evidence-based public communication to ensure more appropriate and responsible use of probiotics.