<p>Probiotics, predominantly lactic acid bacteria (LAB), play an important role in modulating the human gastrointestinal microbiota, particularly the intestinal microbiome. These microorganisms produce a range of bioactive compounds with demonstrated pharmacological activities, including anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects, whose production and release may be influenced by encapsulation conditions. Owing to these health-promoting properties, LAB have been extensively applied as functional ingredients in food formulations and as therapeutic agents in pharmaceutical products. However, their inherent sensitivity and susceptibility to adverse conditions within the gastrointestinal tract pose a significant challenge to ensuring their survival and delivery in sufficient viable counts to confer health benefits. Encapsulation has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance probiotic stability, protect against harsh gastrointestinal environments, and enable controlled and site-specific release through physicochemical and biological triggers. This review covers literature published primarily between 2010 and 2024, focusing on experimentally validated studies related to probiotic encapsulation and gastrointestinal delivery. The scope includes both established encapsulation techniques (e.g., extrusion, emulsification, and spray drying) and emerging approaches such as electrospinning, layer-by-layer assembly, and nanostructured delivery systems. While numerous in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate improved probiotic stability and functionality through encapsulation, clinical evidence remains limited, highlighting the need for well-designed human trials to validate therapeutic efficacy.</p>