HealthyPIG Magazine

Probiotics are good bacteria, and prebiotics are food for these bacteria. Eating foods or supplements containing both can help balance your gut bacteria.

Probiotics are found in a variety of foods, such as yogurt and sauerkraut. Prebiotics are found in a variety of foods, such as whole grains, bananas, green leafy vegetables, onions, garlic, soybeans, and artichokes. In addition, probiotics and prebiotics are added to some foods as dietary supplements.

The relationship between gut microbiome and disease is being studied. The health benefits of currently available probiotics and prebiotics have not been conclusively proven.

However, side effects are rare, and most healthy adults can safely add foods containing prebiotics and probiotics to their diet. Future research may lead to advanced probiotics with greater potential to improve health.

If you are considering supplements, talk to your doctor first about whether they are right for you.

Prebiotics are compounds in food that can induce the growth or activity of beneficial microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. The most common example is in the gastrointestinal tract, where prebiotics can change the composition of organisms in the gut microbiome.

Dietary prebiotic compounds are usually indigestible fibers that pass through the upper gastrointestinal tract undigested and stimulate the growth or activity of beneficial bacteria, which are used as substrates to colonize the large intestine. As a functional food ingredient, prebiotics, like probiotics, are a conceptual intermediary between food and medicine. Depending on the jurisdiction, they are usually subject to mid-level regulatory review, especially health claims related to them made for marketing purposes.