What’s the Difference Between Prebiotics and Probiotics?

When it comes to maintaining a healthy gut, you might have heard about two types of supplements: prebiotics and probiotics. While they sound similar, they actually have different roles in keeping your gut healthy. Let’s dive into the differences between prebiotics and probiotics, and how they can benefit your body.

What Are Prebiotics?

Prebiotics are types of dietary fiber that act as food for the good bacteria in your gut. They are not live bacteria themselves, but rather they provide nourishment for the probiotic bacteria that already exist in your digestive system.

Some common types of prebiotics include:

Inulin
Fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
GOS (galactooligosaccharides)
XOS (xylooligosaccharides)
MOS (mannanoligosaccharides)
Pectin

Prebiotics are found in many plant-based foods, including:

Bananas
Onions
Garlic
Leeks
Asparagus
Jerusalem artichokes
Chicory root
Dandelion greens
Burdock root

When you consume prebiotic fiber, it passes undigested into your colon, where it is fermented by the good bacteria living there. This fermentation process produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which help to maintain a healthy gut environment.

What Are Probiotics?

Probiotics, on the other hand, are live bacteria that are beneficial for your gut health. They help to restore the balance of good bacteria in your digestive system, which can become disrupted due to factors such as poor diet, stress, antibiotics, and illness.

Some of the most common strains of probiotic bacteria include:

Lactobacillus acidophilus
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Lactobacillus plantarum
Bifidobacterium lactis
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Streptococcus thermophilus

You can find probiotics in supplement form, or in certain food products like:

Yogurt
Kefir
Sauerkraut
Kombucha
Kimchi
Miso
Tempeh

How Do Prebiotics and Probiotics Work Together?

Prebiotics and probiotics work together to maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in your gut. While probiotics introduce new beneficial bacteria into your system, prebiotics provide the nourishment and environment needed for those bacteria to thrive.

Some research has also shown that taking prebiotic supplements along with probiotic supplements may enhance the effectiveness of the probiotics. This is because the prebiotics help the probiotic bacteria survive and multiply in the gut, making them more capable of performing their beneficial roles.