Prebiotics and probiotic supplements may sound to be similar to you, especially without sufficient background information about the two supplements.

The truth is that these two supplements are different and have different functions in the gut.

What are prebiotic and probiotic supplements?

Prebiotic supplements contain prebiotic fiber, which the body cannot digest it. Prebiotics mainly function as food for probiotics. Some of the non-digestible foods regarded as prebiotics include garlic, bananas, and onions. Prebiotic fiber mostly goes through the ileum/ small intestine without being digested and later ferments in the large intestine/ colon. 

Probiotics supplements include live bacteria that are formed naturally when there is fermentation in various types of foods such as healthy drinks and yoghurt. Two main types of bacteria are classified as probiotics and include:

  • Bifidobacterium: This is mostly found in dairy products and is naturally present in the colon. They help in preventing constipation and fighting harmful bacteria in the colon.
  • Lactobacillus: they are mostly found in fermented foods such as yoghurt and help with digesting lactose and controlling diarrhoea.

Advantages of prebiotics and probiotics supplements

  • Prebiotic supplements

The significant benefits of prebiotic supplements include increasing useful bacteria in the stomach. This is particularly useful in reducing the risk of diseases and the improvement of the general well-being of a person.

  • Probiotic supplements

The main benefits of probiotic supplements are to replenish the large intestine with desirable bacteria, which may have been removed through the use of products such as antibiotics. This helps ensure that the large intestine operates it is expected.

Foods rich in prebiotics and probiotics supplements

  • Prebiotics supplements

Foods rich in prebiotics supplements include:

  1. Garlic and onions
  2. Oatmeal
  3. Chicory root
  4. Oatmeal
  5. Asparagus
  6. Barley
  • Probiotics supplements

Foods rich in probiotics supplements include

  1. Kefir
  2. Yoghurt
  3. Kombucha
  4. Fermented foods
  5. Fermented buttermilk
  6. Fermented cheeses

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