Is Probotic Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining if a product is truly vegan, we have to look beyond the obvious meat and dairy. For a gummy supplement like Probotic, the main ingredients are plant-based, but there are nuances to consider.

The primary gelling agent here is Pectin. This is excellent news for vegans. Pectin is a fruit-derived starch, commonly used as a natural thickener. Unlike gelatin, which is made from animal collagen, pectin is entirely plant-based.

The sweeteners are where things get a bit gray. Probotic uses Tapioca Syrup and Organic Cane Sugar. While these are plants, strict vegans often debate the use of sugar. In the United States, some cane sugar is processed using bone char (animal bone) to whiten it. Unless the package explicitly says 'Organic' or 'Unrefined,' the sugar might not align with strict vegan ethics. Fortunately, Probotic uses Organic Cane Sugar, which generally prohibits the use of bone char, making it a safer bet.

Finally, we have the additives. Citric Acid is usually derived from fermentation of fungi or bacteria, making it vegan. The colors—Beta Carotene, Black Carot Juice, and Turmeric—are all plant-derived. However, ingredients like Natural Flavors are a wildcard. 'Natural flavors' can technically contain trace animal derivatives, though it is rare in fruit-flavored products.

Nutritional Value

Probotic is marketed as a supplement, but it functions largely as a candy. The first two ingredients are sweeteners: Tapioca Syrup and Organic Cane Sugar. This means the product is high in added sugars. If you are watching your sugar intake or managing blood sugar levels, this product may not be the best choice.

It also contains Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) and Sunflower Lecithin. These are fats used to keep the gummy texture stable. While MCTs are popular in keto diets, they add to the calorie count. Overall, this is a calorie-dense snack. It fits a vegan diet, but it does not necessarily fit a 'health-conscious' diet due to the sugar content.