What Is The Difference Between Prebiotic And Probiotic

Learn about the difference between Prebiotic and Probiotic and how they can both help give you a healthy gut and better life overall.

All disease begins in the gut.

Hippocrates.

Difference between Prebiotic and Probiotic

Perhaps the terms “prebiotics” and “probiotics” didn’t exist at the time, but he knew well the importance of maintaining healthy gut flora.

This is where a major portion of the body’s immune system resides, in the gut.

This enables the immune system to fight against many forms of pathogens before they can attack and spread to other parts of the body.

But to have a healthy and strong immune system you will need to maintain a healthy gut flora which only probiotics and prebiotics can do.

Why do we need probiotics?

When the gut is not healthy the immune system will become weaker.

When the gut and immune systems become weak and out of balance the pathogens have an open road to roam freely along their destructive path.

Pathogens that have taken control due to an imbalance can not only create intestinal issues but if allowed to roam outside of the digestive system can run havoc which can go from creating dis-ease to becoming a disease in varying forms and types.

This can have a drastic effect on the rest of the body and your life.

That is also why you will find probiotics and prebiotics working hard to maintain healthy intestinal flora.

Prebiotic vs Probiotic Learn the Difference and Their Benefits to improve your Gut flora and health overall. Share on X

Prebiotics may sound similar to probiotics; however, they have an entirely different functional role in the body particularly when it comes to your digestive health.

So What is the Difference Between Prebiotic and probiotic?

Probiotics

Probiotics are live microorganisms found in and around the body but mainly in the gastrointestinal tract.

Probiotics, also known as good bacteria help to maintain the balance of the gut flora while assisting in many other ways in bringing back health to the rest of the body all from within the gut.

Fermented foods such as yogurt, and sauerkraut, along with many other types of foods, contain probiotics that are beneficial to your gut flora.

For various reasons, not everyone can take dairy products or fermented foods rich in probiotics.

In this case, taking probiotics as a supplement may be more beneficial.

Below are some reasons that can cause an imbalance.

• Poor eating habits or choice of foods (foods high in sugar or foods with no real nutritional value regardless if they taste good or not at the time. e.g. fast foods)

• Ever been overseas and had the runs (diarrhea) due to a result of eating certain foods in foreign countries?

• Overuse of medication. Antibiotics are a great example as they destroy good and bad bacteria.

Benefits of Taking Probiotics

• The beneficial probiotics help to enhance and strengthen the body’s Immune system.

• Helps to restore the healthy gut flora balance

• Replace good gut bacteria destroyed from regular or overuse of Antibiotics.

• Assists in reducing diarrhea, (a common problem when using Antibiotics) particularly in Children.

• Works on breaking down complex sugars, and proteins, and assists in nutrient absorption

• Assists to synthesize vitamins such as K, B12, and some B complex

As you can see, Probiotics play an essential and vital role in maintaining the balance of the intestinal flora.

Simply put “Better gut better health”.

For more detailed information, this article will help you out: “What are Probiotics for.”

Probiotics work on helping to maintain the health and balance of the gastrointestinal tract.

However, in order for Probiotics to work efficiently and perform their many roles, it needs their own nourishment.

This is where the prebiotics come into the picture

Prebiotics

While probiotics are live microorganisms Prebiotics are not live as they are a non-digestible dietary fiber.

Due to its non-digestible nature, the body cannot break down the dietary fiber within the small intestine instead; as it passes down into the large intestine it is here that the dietary fiber is broken down by way of fermentation by the gut microflora (probiotics).

This now becomes the food and fuel source for the probiotics already within the intestinal gut flora that helps to increase the growth of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium.

These two beneficial and very important bacteria are just two of the most commonly known forms found in many fermented foods and supplements.

Benefits of adding prebiotics

• Prebiotics feed and fuel probiotics to fight pathogens (bad bacteria) from invading and causing harm to the GI (gastrointestinal tract).

• Increased beneficial microflora activity

• Increased fiber aids in weight management and fights against obesity

• Improved bowel movements

• Better gut health, better body health, and well-being.

• Reduce inflammation associated with IBD (inflammatory bowel disease)

• Boosting and strengthening the body’s immune system

• Improved digestion

• Aids in better absorption of nutrients

Note

Below you will find many foods listed as “Raw”.

The reason is that many raw advocates state this is that cooking diminishes the amount of fiber and therefore raw is best.

Bear in mind that only around 10% of the fiber may be lost during cooking.

Most probiotic foods can be easily eaten raw; however many people may find eating raw green bananas and asparagus for example quite unappealing in their raw state.

However, not all is lost, as these can be added to other greens and made into a smoothie.

Asparagus, for example, can be blanched or steamed to the point where they are easily digestible yet retains a firm state.

There is nothing wrong with mixing raw prebiotic foods with some cooked ones.

So if you prefer some cooked, then mix and match with other probiotics that are raw.

That way you can still benefit your health and enjoy the foods your way.

Here are just some of the best prebiotic foods available are:

Raw Garlic

As a prebiotic, Garlic is fantastic for digestive health but has so many other benefits for overall health.

Garlic has many properties such as being an antioxidant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic.

Garlic can help to boost the Immune System, contains vitamins and minerals, and helps to reduce blood pressure along with helping improve Cholesterol levels.

Helping with cancer prevention is just some of the “Health Benefits of Garlic”

Asparagus

Rich in Fibre along with Vitamins A, C, E, and K, Asparagus help to fight cancer due to its rich source of Glutathione which helps to break down carcinogens and other free radicals known to cause cancer.

One great benefit in eating Asparagus, especially for those suffering from oedema (accumulation of fluids in the body’s tissue) as it acts as a natural diuretic by helping to increase urination thus releasing the excess accumulation of fluids.

For those who cannot or are uncomfortable eating asparagus raw, know that you can have it blanched or steamed to soften the asparagus but ensure it still has some firmness.

You could also add it to other greens when making a smoothie.

Raw Onions

Although any onion variety can be eaten raw, however, compared to the brown and white onion; the red onion (being a sweeter taste) would be the best of all as raw food.

Like Garlic, onions have many health benefits on their own along with being prebiotic.

They are a good source of fiber for healthy digestion, a good source of Vitamin C, and help to reduce and fight against the free radicals that can create many diseases including cancer.

The anti-inflammatory properties can help to clear the skin along with helping to relieve coughs and colds along with helping to clear the skin.

Avoid tears when chopping onions by breathing through the mouth instead. Share on X

Bonus Tip:

Should you have those tears streaming down your face when chopping onions, one way is to breathe through your mouth rather than your nose.

It does work try it and let me know how it went.

Do you have other ways that can help while chopping onions?

Place your tips in the comments below.

Raw Leeks

Leeks have the mildest flavor compared to the rest of the onion family it is part of.

Like Garlic, Leeks have a sulfur compound called allicin where many health benefits can be found.

When the allicin is digested in the body sulfenic acid is produced which works on neutralizing many free radicals trying to create disease within the body such as cancer-causing properties.

Another property that leeks produce is kaempferol with helps fight against various cancers.

Good source of Vitamin A, B, and K

Raw Chicory Root

Chicory root helps to enhance not only the body’s defense system but due to its rich content of antioxidants is able to fight against free radicals known to attack the liver.

Chicory Root has a coffee-like flavor however as it contains no caffeine it can make a great coffee substitute.

This is of great benefit for those who may love their coffee but have issues with caffeine.

Chicory consumption increases the flow of bile which in turn helps to purify the blood and liver.

Having a high amount of inulin helps the probiotic thrive even more as it feeds on the chicory fibers

Chicory can be a great help and support in fighting against Salmonella poisoning.

Caution:

If you are suffering from some form of food poisoning ensure you seek medical assistance.

Sunchokes (Jerusalem artichokes)

Sunchokes, also known as Jerusalem Artichokes are more similar to root vegetables such as potatoes and are not artichokes nor are they from Jerusalem.

Sunchokes help to promote iron absorption from foods as they are loaded with Vitamin C.

Did you know that there is more potassium in Sunchokes than in Bananas?

Potassium is vital for a healthy heart and enables the muscles to function properly along with your nervous system.

This food will also benefit those who are diabetics and they help to control the sugar level along with keeping the blood pressure stable.

Raw Apples

Due to their antioxidant properties apples are beneficial for your heart and brain function.

Apples are a wonderful prebiotic as they are rich in a dietary fiber called pectin which accounts for around 50%.

It is this fiber that will feed the good gut flora while helping to reduce or stabilize the blood serum cholesterol level.

Eating apples due to the pectin qualities will also give you that full feeling.

This is great news for those suffering from diabetes, those dealing with weight loss, along others wanting to balance their digestive system.

Dandelion has gone from being considered a weed to a prebiotic beneficial for your health overall. Share on X

Raw Dandelion Greens

Dandelions were once considered an unwanted weed found growing in gardens and lawns.

However, nothing could be further from the truth with this prebiotic powerhouse of a plant.

Nowadays you will find dandelions in salads and caffeine-free teas.

Why because they are beneficial not only as a prebiotic for your digestive system but also great for your health in general.

Dandelion greens contain Vitamins C, E, and K, along with some B vitamins beneficial for your health.

They also contain Calcium (important for your bones), Iron (beneficial for our Red blood cells), and Potassium (which helps to regulate heart rate and blood pressure).

Not bad properties for a plant once seen as a weed.

The added benefits:

Dandelion leaves when used as a tea are a known natural diuretic.

As a result, this will help to increase the urinary frequency which can help to flush any unwanted properties held within the body.

This action is a great benefit for those who may have retention issues.

Maybe not the tea you want to have just before going to bed due to the frequent visits to the bathroom then again if you have retention issues it is worth it do you think?

As a natural diuretic, this detox can also be very beneficial for the liver as it can help flush out any toxins that may be causing your liver to be sluggish.

Some may say that the liver gets rid of toxins itself why is there a need for a detox drink?

Yes, the liver does rid the body of toxins as its natural process, however, due to the very different lifestyles; poor choice of eating habits along with the many medications taken these days places an overload on the liver.

A sluggish liver can also create dis-ease to the body such as fatigue, stress, and even headaches due to the built-up toxins within the liver, and many times it cannot work at its proper capacity due to this overload.

Taking detox drinks such as Dandelion tea can only help the liver work more efficiently due to the added support.

It makes you wonder how many other plants are considered a weed that is packed with many potential benefits to health.

Raw Green Bananas

Although the thought of eating green bananas may not be your cup of tea so to speak, the benefits as a prebiotic are worth it.

Green or unripe bananas contain high amounts of resistant starch which is an important essential within the prebiotic scenario.

Resistant starch contained within bananas works on the same principle as many of the dietary fibers in the previous foods mentioned above.

The small intestine cannot break down this resistant starch so it must then enter the large intestine was fermented by the good gut bacteria and used as fuel and food.

Remember with prebiotics it’s not about the race but the pace you take if you want optimum health for your gut flora and health overall. Share on X

Prebiotic fiber helps to increase and multiply good gut flora.

If proper intake can be maintained a reduction in Bloating can result.

Green bananas can help with insulin sensitivity which is fantastic news for Diabetics.

The potassium in bananas is beneficial to cardiovascular health which can help maintain normal blood pressure and improve heart function.

Assists in lowering blood sugar levels

Green bananas help with nutrient absorption such as calcium

Pectin found in bananas gives you increased satiety, much like apples do.

In other words, it can give you a fuller feeling thus giving you a reduced appetite.

A reduced appetite can help many who are looking to lose weight either via a diet or working on maintaining care of not overeating for the sake of it.

Having green bananas is of great benefit to diabetics, those who may be in the obese range, or those wanting to lose weight.

The reason for this is that as the banana ripens and changes from green to yellow to yellow with black spots the resistant starch breaks down into various sugars such as (sucrose, glucose, and fructose) thus giving a higher sugar content as it further ripens.

This is why ripen bananas are not the best foods to take if you are seeking to lose weight, or if taking care of your blood sugar level particularly if you are a diabetic.

Benefits of both sides.

However, it does not mean to say you shouldn’t eat ripen bananas either as they have other benefits that green bananas don’t have.

The more a banana ripens the higher antioxidant and anti-cancer properties it creates.

These properties help to fight against abnormal cells that may lead to certain cancers.

So there you have it on what is the difference between prebiotic and probiotic.

There are much more types of prebiotics, however, I have what I believe to be the best prebiotic foods available

Question

Do you take prebiotics or probiotics? Which ones do you prefer?

How have they benefited you?

I would love to hear your intake, regarding prebiotics and probiotics.

So please place your comments below remember, caring is sharing.

As Always