{"id":503,"date":"2022-05-09T19:05:40","date_gmt":"2022-05-10T02:05:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.csun.edu\/nutritionexperts\/?p=503"},"modified":"2022-05-09T19:05:40","modified_gmt":"2022-05-10T02:05:40","slug":"what-is-the-difference-between-prebiotics-and-probiotics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.csun.edu\/nutritionexperts\/2022\/05\/09\/what-is-the-difference-between-prebiotics-and-probiotics\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the Difference Between Prebiotics and Probiotics?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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By: Patricia Garcia Guillen, DTR, CSUN Dietetic Intern Cohort 2021-2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re probably aware of all about the hype surrounding prebiotics and probiotics. However, have you ever wondered what are they exactly? How can you consume more of them? And, do you have to break the bank to make them a part of your diet? \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Probiotics are living organisms, also known as \u201cgood bacteria\u201d, that can improve one\u2019s health by promoting bacterial growth in the microbiome.\u00a0Foods and beverages produced through controlled bacterial growth are known as fermented foods.1<\/sup>\u00a0Probiotics are naturally found in fermented dairy foods such as yogurt, kefir, and aged cheeses; non-dairy fermented foods like kombucha, miso, tempeh, and sauerkraut; and as dietary supplements.2<\/sup>\u00a0Research has shown that consuming probiotic-rich foods can not only help maintain a healthy gut, but it may also help prevent infections caused by harmful bacteria, reduce cholesterol levels, strengthen the immune system, and reduce inflammation, which can be beneficial in the treatment of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).3<\/sup>\u00a0Next time you are at the grocery store in your search for probiotics, you can look for the key words \u201clive and active cultures\u201d to be certain you are helping keep the integrity of your microbiome.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prebiotics are\u00a0fructooligosaccharides, like\u00a0galacto-oligosaccharides and inulin, which are nondigestible carbohydrates, or fiber, found in fruits and vegetables.2<\/sup>\u00a0Prebiotics can be found in food sources such as bananas, onions, garlic, leeks, asparagus, artichokes, and whole grains such as whole-wheat bread, pastas, oatmeal, and brown rice.2<\/sup>\u00a0Prebiotics cannot be digested. However, when these\u00a0foods are consumed, they are fermented in the large intestine and have been noted to have health benefits.2<\/sup>\u00a0The fermentation allows the fiber components found in prebiotics like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to be broken down in the gut in order to produce stool bulk. When probiotics and prebiotics are combined, a dynamic duo is created, and they are called\u00a0synbiotics. The consumption of probiotics and prebiotics has been effective in the treatment of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and diseases of the liver.4<\/sup>\u00a0Research has shown that the fermentation process of prebiotics is linked to the promotion of the multiplication of beneficial gut bacteria obtained from probiotics.5<\/sup>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important to mention that although probiotics and prebiotics are easily accessible as over-the-counter dietary supplements, they do not need approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to be marketed. Therefore, food sources can be a safer and cheaper way to consume these nutrients. There is no need to break the bank by purchasing expensive dietary supplements or foods to incorporate more\u00a0synbiotics\u00a0into your diet. Combining prebiotics and probiotic sources as part of your daily routine can be simple and inexpensive! You can try these simple and delicious recipes as a snack or as part of a balanced breakfast for mornings on-the-go.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yogurt n\u2019 Berries Bowls<\/strong> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Author: Patricia Garcia Guillen <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inspired by: Tyler Florence6<\/sup> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Servings: 2 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ingredients: <\/p>\n\n\n\n