The Bottom Line on Prebiotics
What are prebiotics, and should you be taking them?
Gut health is all the rage. From fermented drinks like kombucha to high-fiber diets, nutritionists and researchers alike have zeroed in on the gut microbiome as a compass for a person’s overall health.
As a result, probiotics, also known as beneficial gut bacteria, are experiencing a renaissance. Now their closely named peer, prebiotics, is also gaining traction as one of the latest darlings in gut health.
What’s the difference? While probiotics are themselves gut bacteria, prebiotics are the food that feeds bacteria. Prebiotics resist digestion in the small intestine and, upon reaching the colon, are fermented by bacteria in the gut. When you think about prebiotics, you should be thinking about fiber.
“The human body can’t break down certain plant fibers—prebiotics—but probiotics can,” says Debbie Petitpain, a registered dietitian nutritionist and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “In the process, the friendly gut bacteria make these plant fibers easier for the human body to eliminate, and in return, they get the nutrients they need to thrive.”
While there’s been a lot of fuss over the importance of probiotics, prebiotics are critical when it comes to maintaining gut microbiome…
