Prebiotics and probiotics: what is the difference?
Healthy intestines are important for our overall well-being. It is genuinely good for our body to support and strengthen our intestines, or more specifically, our gut flora. Pre- and probiotics are very different, but both contribute to a healthy gut microbiota. But how exactly do they differ?1
A strong gut flora (or microbiota) is home to millions of microorganisms, of hundreds of different species. Many of these species are good for humans because they strengthen our immune system, make our intestines healthier, and provide many other health benefits.2
Supporting your microbiota
Every person has their own unique microbiota, which is built up during the first years of life. However, our gut flora can be affected (and thus weakened) by various factors: harmful substances such as cigarette smoke and alcohol, antibiotic use, aging... It is not possible to address every cause that can affect our microbiota. However, you can support your microbiota with probiotics and prebiotics that you ingest through food or supplements.2
Pre- and probiotics work together for a healthier gut flora
Probiotics, good bacteria3,4
Probiotics are microorganisms (specifically bacteria and yeasts) that are beneficial to our health.
Among other things, they offer the following health benefits:
- restoring balance to a disrupted gut flora;
- combating inflammation;
- fighting pathogens (sources of disease that cannot coexist with probiotics);
- stimulating the immune system.
There are many probiotic foods that naturally contain good bacteria, such as yogurt or fermented foods (such as sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, miso...). Note: choose non-pasteurized products, as this process kills the microorganisms.
Prebiotics, the food for good bacteria3,4
Prebiotics are special plant fibers that promote the formation of healthy bacteria in the gut. In a sense, they are the 'food' for probiotics.
They therefore feed the good gut bacteria and, because they are fermented, they also produce various beneficial substances for healthy digestion and a healthy immune system.
You can find prebiotics in fruits and vegetables (specifically in bananas, oats, peas, asparagus, leeks, onions...).
It is best to take probiotics and prebiotics together
Probiotics are microorganisms (specifically bacteria and yeasts) that are beneficial to our health.
Pre- and probiotics work together for a healthier gut flora. Probiotics often provide a solution for digestive problems, but if you also consume prebiotics, you ensure that the probiotics survive the digestive process. Prebiotics also promote the formation of probiotics in general, as well as the growth of good bacteria in the digestive system.5
Scientific references
Product mentioned in this article
Fit-O-Trans
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