What Are Prebiotics?

Article adapted from an Activia publication

Prebiotics are dietary fibers that are food for the good bacteria in your gut. Bacteria may sound like a negative word, but the truth is that you have more bacteria in your gut than the number of cells in your body! Everyone has their own special mix of bacteria, both good and bad. It’s better to have more good bacteria than bad ones!

Q: What do prebiotics do?

A: Prebiotics are food for the good bacteria in your gut. Consuming prebiotics can help increase the number of good gut bacteria which supports your gut health.

Q: What is the difference between probiotics and prebiotics?

A: Probiotics are good bacteria that have been studied and shown to support health, depending on the specific probiotic strain. While new strains and benefits of probiotics are being studied all the time, there are many probiotics that have been shown to support gut health and the immune system. Consuming probiotic products is a way to add more good bacteria to your gut, which can be important for your digestive system and overall well-being. Prebiotics aren’t bacteria at all – they are actually dietary fibers that are food for the good bacteria in your gut.

Q: Can you take prebiotics and probiotics together?

A: Prebiotics are dietary fibers and food for the good bacteria in your gut. Probiotics are good bacteria that have been studied and shown to benefit your health. Though it’s easier to consume them at the same time (by eating foods that contain both), prebiotics and probiotics can be consumed together or separately.

Q: What is prebiotic fiber?

A: Most prebiotics are dietary fibers, which is why they are sometimes called prebiotic fibers. But, not all dietary fibers are prebiotics. Prebiotic fibers are found naturally in a lot of foods like onions, garlic, and bananas. Prebiotic fibers can also be added to foods and supplements.

Q: What foods contain prebiotics?

A: Prebiotics can sometimes be found in foods like yogurt, snacks, drinks, etc. Look for ingredients like inulin and chicory root fiber as sources of added prebiotics. Tomatoes, artichokes, bananas, asparagus, berries, garlic, onions, chicory, green vegetables, and legumes also contain prebiotic fiber. Prebiotic fiber can also be found in oats, linseed, barley, and wheat.