What is the difference between a prebiotic and a probiotic?
Prebiotics are non-digestible components of food that positively impact the gut microbiome, while probiotics are naturally occurring microorganisms in the gut. Prebiotics provide food for the probiotics. Transcript: "What is the difference between a Prebiotic and a probiotic? A Prebiotic is sometimes. A non-digestible component of food, like a fiber that has an impact on the gut microbiota. A Prebiotic can also be other substances that may positively impact the gut microbiome. A probiotic, are the naturally occurring organisms microorganisms in our gut? So including foods that provide some probiotic to the diet like naturally fermented foods, like sauerkraut or kimchi kombucha, also things like aged cheese yogurt when you see the label set that says live cultures and the yogurt, those are examples of a probiotic and the prebiotics service the food for those probiotics. So I hope that helps this is a complicated topic and there's a a lot of research on going about the gut microbiome."
Rosanne Rust,MS,RDN
Dietitian, Author, DASH Diet, Food Waste
Prebiotics are non-digestible components of food that positively impact the gut microbiome, while probiotics are naturally occurring microorganisms in the gut. Prebiotics provide food for the probiotics.
Dr. Emily Werner, PhD, RD, CSSD
Sport Dietitian & Exercise Physiologist
Prebiotics are foods that contain compounds that help feed the existing healthy bacteria in your gut, while probiotics are foods or supplements containing strains of healthy bacteria.
Kristin Kirkpatrick, MS, RD, LD
Dietitian, Bestselling Author, Media Contributor
Prebiotics are non-digestible fibers found in foods like Jerusalem artichoke and whole grains, while probiotics are live microorganisms found in fermented foods such as yogurt. Both are necessary for gut health and can be taken as a supplement, but it is important to consult with a physician or dietitian when taking any additional supplementation.
Cliff McArthur, MS RDN CSSD
Sport Performance & Medical Dietitian Nutrition
Prebiotics are food for probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria that live in the gut. Prebiotics provide nutrients and non-nutrient compounds that make these bacteria happy, leading to anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and other health benefits.