HealthyPIG Magazine

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.