Could perfect gut health come in a tiny $10 glass jar of yogurt? That’s what TikTok would have you believe about Coconut Cult, the trendy probiotic-packed coconut yogurt taking over the internet.

Many social media users claim that eating just two spoonfuls of this yogurt a day has helped improve their gut health and, in some cases, even dramatically improved their skin’s appearance.

The company’s website also mentions health benefits, such as less bloating, reduced inflammation, improved weight management, fewer allergy symptoms, boosted immunity, and increased satiety.

The health claims and rave reviews of this yogurt are hard to ignore. So, as a dietitian, I investigated the health benefits of—and misinformation about—Coconut Cult beyond the social media craze.

What Is Coconut Cult Yogurt?

Coconut Cult yogurt is a fermented yogurt made from coconuts. The trendy yogurt is available in certain stores and online. It comes in a few core flavors: chocolate mousse, original, and harvest strawberry.

The company claims Coconut Cult yogurt is the “perfect home” for gut-healthy bacteria, containing billions of “super-live” probiotics. The yogurt is not pasteurized after fermentation, meaning the live probiotics are not killed off.

While other yogurt brands may use a similar process or add live probiotics after pasteurization, not all do. Coconut Cult also avoids using added sugar, gums, thickeners, and preservatives in its products.

In addition, Coconut Cult uses 16 different strains of probiotics, more than most other yogurt brands, and contains a higher concentration of probiotics than most other yogurts. This explains why it’s advised to start small, eating just two tablespoons a day at first.

The yogurt’s flavor is far from your typical sweetened and flavored yogurt. It has a tangy, slightly sour flavor with a mousse-like texture—and people seem to love or hate it.

Does Eating Coconut Cult Really Improve Gut Health?

We know that having a healthy gut microbiome can support health in various ways, and diet may play a key role in fostering beneficial gut bacteria. The health benefits associated with Coconut Cult are likely linked to consuming probiotics in general. However, research on the exact benefits of probiotic consumption is still developing.

What may give Coconut Cult an edge over other types of yogurt is it provides prebiotics and probiotics. Prebiotics serve as “food” for the living probiotics, offering an additional benefit to this yogurt.

It’s fair to say that Coconut Cult goes the extra mile to create a product that can improve your gut health, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only product that can do this.

Can Other Foods Offer the Same Benefits?

You don’t need to spend that much money to get the potential benefits of Coconut Cult. Consuming probiotics from other sources, such as in dairy yogurt, kefir, kombucha, kimchi, sauerkraut, and other foods can be just as beneficial. These foods also contain other healthy nutrients like the protein in yogurt or the fiber in kimchi.

With this yogurt’s cult-like following, it’s hard not to want to join the bandwagon and see what all the hype is about. But improving your gut health doesn’t need to cost a fortune.

If the high price point of Coconut Cult yogurt doesn’t feel worth it, I suggest skipping the expensive trend and regularly incorporating foods that contain probiotics into your diet.

You can also eat various fruits, vegetables, and whole grains for a good source of prebiotics. Your gut and bank account will thank you.