Probiotic vs. Prebiotic

Lately I’ve been noticing a change in marketing for some new food products to the market. I work in a grocery store so I am constantly walking the aisles and trying new products.

I was in the nutrition department, looking at some new products when I noticed on the label it said that it contained Prebiotics and Probiotics. I was really intrigued and thought I’d do some research and find out exactly what they are trying to market. 

As I’ve shared before Probiotics are foods that naturally contain helpful bacteria that aids in digestion and promotion of a healthy gut flora. According to the Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism, Probiotics can also help bolster your immune system. Some research also shows that there’s evidence that probiotics can help clear up acne, eczema, and help with anxiety and depression. 

So what exactly are Prebiotics? Well in order for the Probiotics function they need Prebiotics, which are a type of fiber found in certain foods such as; vegetables, legumes and fruits.  The human body isn’t able to digest this type of fiber, but the bacteria in our gut can!  In fact the gut bacteria thrive off of these fibers and are key to unlocking the benefits of the probiotics. 

Do I need to take a Probiotics and Prebiotic supplement? No, when you go grocery shopping just keep an eye out for foods that say “Live” or “Active” cultures, and make sure you are also eating enough vegetables and fruits. Fermented foods naturally contain “live” cultures some examples are; kombucha, yogurt, cheese, pickles, kefir, and kimchi.