Probiotics and Prebiotics have different effects on the body. Probiotics are foods or supplements that contain live microorganisms intended to maintain or improve the good bacteria in the body. Prebiotics are foods that act as food for human microflora. The effects on the overall health of probiotics and prebiotics will differ from person to person.
What are the differences between Prebiotic and Probiotic?
Prebiotics and probiotics each have their role to play in the battle for better gut health:
- Probiotics: These are good bacteria that are naturally found in the body and derived from various food sources. These living microorganisms provide a range of health benefits for your gut and live in synergy with other helpful bacteria. Probiotics also help get rid of toxins from the body and kill harmful bacteria by producing natural antibiotics.
- Prebiotics: Prebiotics are the food for probiotics. The sources are majorly carbohydrates and plant fiber. These nutrients could be difficult to digest by the body, but fortunately, the good bacteria in the gut use them as food. They travel undigested, from the small intestine into the colon. Probiotics, then ferment and consume for energy.
Probiotic foods and supplements add soldiers to your army, and prebiotics gives the soldiers the support they need.
What are its effects on the body?
Effects of Probiotics
According to research on probiotics, they may be beneficial in these areas:
- Digestive Health
- Mental health
- Gastrointestinal health
In addition, researchers have found that probiotics may decrease:
- Vaginal infections, such as yeast infections
- Eczema
- The need for antibiotics
- The incidence of ventilator-assisted pneumonia
- Gestational diabetes
- School absences from colds
Effects of Prebiotics
Prebiotics are components of some foods that the body cannot digest. Their role in the gut is to feed bacteria and other beneficial microorganisms. They are linked to probiotics in terms of their benefits. A healthy gut may be supported by prebiotics, which offers better digestive health, fewer antibiotic-related health problems, and other advantages.
Some research suggests that prebiotics may benefit the body by:
- Supporting the probiotic growth of gut bacteria, potentially enhancing digestion and metabolism
- Improving calcium absorption
Changing how quickly the body can process carbohydrates
Is Probiotics better or Prebiotics?
It is probably a normal occurrence for most people to confuse probiotics with prebiotics. However, both of them impact our gut health differently. There are trillions of gut microbes, which help digestion, nutrient absorption, and immunity. A healthy balance of probiotics and prebiotics will maintain gut health. While probiotics are living bacteria, prebiotics is derived from carbohydrates, which are consumed by probiotic bacteria in the gut.
This is how probiotics are different from prebiotics:
1. Constitution: Prebiotics are dietary fiber, while probiotics are the good bacteria that feed the fiber. Prebiotics are the fertilizer for generating friendly bacterial colonies in the gut. Prebiotics are not living organisms, and are not affected by conditions in your gut. Probiotics, on the other hand, are living microorganisms in the gastric system and may be eliminated on exposure to stomach acid, heat, or decay.
2. Health benefits: Probiotics help the digestive system function efficiently. They also help with weight loss, improve heart health, and lower blood sugar, and blood pressure levels. They boost your gut’s health and make sure there’s a smooth bowel movement. Prebiotics nourish probiotics in the gut, helping the formation of healthy colonies of good bacteria.
3. Food Sources: Fermented foods are a rich source of probiotics. Yogurt and cheese are good sources of probiotics. Prebiotics are essentially dietary fiber and can be found in onion, garlic, oatmeal, apple, and barley.
Maintaining and improving gut health is vital for your overall well-being. Remember that prebiotics is the driving blocks for probiotics, as a nourishing source. For this reason, make sure that you include a lot of probiotics and prebiotic-rich foods in your diet, for better gut health.
For most healthy people, there is no need to take prebiotic or probiotic supplements. Conversely, the risk of doing so is usually minimal for people who do not have weakened immune systems or underlying illnesses. People must consult a doctor or dietitian if they feel that they need certain advice on the right diet for their needs.