Prebiotics Vs. Probiotics: What’s The Difference?
The world of gut-health can seem like a mysterious realm, filled with strange terms like prebiotics and probiotics.
Though, taking the time to understand what prebiotics and probiotics are, along with the physical benefits they bring to the table, can offer many advantages to your gut health.
Gut health doesn’t need to be a complicated or confusing topic. Let’s unravel the meaning behind prebiotics and probiotics, along with the benefits they can offer the gut. Find out more below.
What Are Prebiotics?
Let’s start with prebiotics - what are they, and how do they work?
Prebiotics are a non-digestible fiber found in specific foods, which feed the good bacteria in your gut. This in-turn helps this friendly bacteria to balance the microbiome.
In other words, prebiotics are the snack for the good bacteria in our digestive system.
It’s not difficult to add more prebiotics to the diet, as they’re found in foods such as garlic, bananas, onions, asparagus, and whole grains. Consuming these prebiotic foods will encourage the growth of good bacteria and support good gut health.
The Benefits Of Prebiotics
Prebiotics offer a range of benefits to your gut that simply can’t be overlooked. Here are some perks of incorporating prebiotics into your diet.
The core purpose of prebiotics is to act as a nourishment that fuels the growth and activity of good gut bacteria.
This helps to ensure the gut microbiome remains well-balanced with friendly bacteria, which is essential for optimal digestive health. By supporting the growth of these live organisms, prebiotics help to foster a healthy gut.
The benefits of probiotics extend beyond feeding good gut bacteria. Prebiotics can also improve nutrient absorption within the intestines.
When the gut is populated with good bacteria, it significantly enhances the absorption of nutrients - which ensures you’re getting the most from the foods you're eating.
What Are Probiotics?
Now, let's move onto probiotics – what are they and how do they differ from prebiotics?
Unlike prebiotics, probiotics are live microorganisms which we often refer to as ‘good bacteria’. They’re well-known for the various health benefits they offer when consumed in proper amounts.
Probiotics can be found mostly within fermented foods such as yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi. For those hoping to increase their intake of probiotics, probiotic drinks such as PERKII are a great way to make the most of your daily probiotics. Bottled with billions of live cultures, these target release probiotics are designed to support your gut in the tastiest way possible.
The Benefits Of Probiotics
Now, let’s go through the benefits that probiotics won’t only offer the gut, but also our overall health and wellbeing.
First and foremost, probiotics help restore the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut.
They help to ensure that the friendly bacteria outnumber and outperform the not-so-friendly ones - keeping the microbiome in a delicate balance.
By promoting a healthy gut environment and balancing the microbiome, probiotics can also contribute to improved digestion.
They can help alleviate gastrointestinal discomforts like bloating, gas, and the occasional indigestion.
The benefits of probiotics extend far beyond our gut health. Infact, our probiotics can also support our immunity - which is especially handy over those Winter months.
Probiotics play a role in supporting immune function, helping your body fend off potential invaders.
Prebiotics Vs. Probiotics: What’s The Difference?
Now that we've unraveled the mysteries behind prebiotics and probiotics, let's tackle that burning question – what sets them apart?
Let’s start with prebiotics. They're essentially like the snacks for your good gut bacteria and are found in foods such as bananas, onions, asparagus, and whole grains.
On the other hand, probiotics are the live microorganisms that feed on prebiotics. They’re often found in fermented foods, and help to restore balance in your gut, support your digestion and immune system.
Together, prebiotics and probiotics are a gut health power-house - helping to keep your digestive system feeling good and working properly.
*The information in this article should be considered as advice only. Before using probiotics or implementing any of the information above, speak with a healthcare professional.
