Probiotics and Prebiotics offer different benefits for both general and digestive health. Probiotics are living microscopic bacteria or yeasts that have been proven in scientific studies to help humans in some way. Prebiotics supports the growth and activity of probiotics. Without prebiotics, probiotics can’t thrive or reproduce.
Why Do We Need To Take Care Of Our Gut Microbiome?
Human health is profoundly affected by the gut microbiota, a vast and complex collection of microorganisms. Microflora of the gut was previously referred to as gut microbiota.
The gut microbiota assists in a range of bodily functions, including:
- Protecting against pathogens
- Regulating immune function
- Harvesting energy from digested food
- Strengthening biochemical barriers of the gut and intestine
Changes in microbiota composition can affect these functions. Beneficial bacteria live in the gut, but harmful bacteria can enter the GI tract and cause infection. GI diseases that cause diarrhea and vomiting include food poisoning.
Basically Here’s The Difference Between Probiotics And Prebiotics
Both probiotics and prebiotics are important for human health. On the other hand, they have different roles:
- Probiotics. These are live bacteria found in certain foods or supplements. They can provide several health benefits.
- Prebiotics. These substances come from types of carbs that humans can’t digest. The beneficial bacteria in your gut eat this fiber.
The gut bacteria, collectively referred to as the gut flora, or gut microbiota, perform many important functions in the body. Eating balanced amounts of both probiotics and prebiotics can help ensure that you have the right balance of these bacteria to keep your gut microbiota healthy.
Health Benefits of Prebiotics
There are many benefits associated with prebiotics. Prebiotics do a few things we know, but there is still a lot of research to do to determine exactly how they work:
- Help regulate bowel movements.
- Stimulate your body to make hormones that aid in appetite and appetite suppression.
- Produce neurotransmitters that go back and forth between your gut and your brain to trigger mood changes and other processes.
- Help your bones mineralize and absorb calcium and phosphorus, which can improve bone density.
- Enhance your body’s anti-inflammatory response.
- Improve how well your immune system functions.
- Increase production of good bacteria and decrease bad bacteria that cause disease.
Sources of Prebiotics
- Chicory root
- Dandelion greens
- Jerusalem artichoke
- Garlic
- Onions
- Leeks
- Asparagus
- Bananas
- Barley
- Oats
- Apples
- Konjac root
- Cocoa
- Burdock root
- Flaxseeds
- Yacon root
- Jicama root
- Wheat bran
- Seaweed
Many of the best-known sources of prebiotics are suitable for vegans. More research is needed to uncover all of the health benefits of prebiotics, but they are likely to be valuable dietary components. To date, the majority of research around gut health has focused on probiotics, with prebiotics being a relatively new area of focus.
