Prebiotics and probiotics represent essential aspects of a wholesome, nourishing diet. Though not the same, prebiotics and probiotics complement one another and work together to improve overall health and wellness. Simplistically, a prebiotic promotes the proliferation of beneficial bacteria while probiotics contain live beneficial bacteria that help to recolonize your intenstinal flora. Both prebiotics and probiotics work in harmony with one another. A diet deficient in either prebiotics or probiotics may severely impact health and immune function in particular.
Prebiotics
Prebiotics promote the growth and proliferation of beneficial bacteria in the digestive system. Unlike probiotics, which are live organisms, prebiotics are components of food that are not otherwise easily digested by humans and these food components essentially feed beneficial bacteria in your gut. Oligosaccharides such as oligofructose and inulin are only partially digested by humans and the remaining components of these carbohydrate molecules feed beneficial bacteria.
As inulin and other prebiotics are not well-digested by the body, foods rich in these components do not cause significant rises in blood sugar; moreover, prebiotics like inulin may increase your body’s ability to better absorb iron from the foods you eat1. Traditional diets typically contained over twice the amount of inulin that is present in the Standard American Diet1. Essentially, humans throughout history ate foods richer in prebiotics than they do today. Tubers, greens and other plant foods offer a great source of prebiotics. Take care, however, if you have not typically consumed a fiber-rich or plant-rich diet as these foods may cause gastrointestinal upset if you’re unaccustomed to eating them.
Good Sources of Prebiotics
- Fresh Dandelion Greens
- Radicchio
- Frisee
- Endive
- Jerusalem Artichoke
- Onions
- Asparagus
- Chicory
- Jicama
- Garlic
- Wheat & Sprouted Wheat (See sources.)
- Prebiotic Supplements (See sources.)
Probiotics
As differentiated from prebiotics (which feed beneficial bacteria) and beneficial bacteria themselves, probiotics are foods or supplements that contain live, beneficial microorganisms. Probiotics, when ingested properly, help to recolonize the digestive tract with friendly, beneficial bacteria. Beneficial bacteria are essential to health; indeed, without them, you’d die. Seriously. Beneficial bacteria help your body to synthesize vitamins, absorb nutrients, keep pathogens at bay and interact with directly with your immune system for your overall health4. Intestinal flora is thought to be critical to a vast and wide away of human health issues. Indeed, researchers are even looking at how beneficial intestinal bacteria might prove effective in treating obesity5.
While everyone’s digestive tract plays host to beneficial bacteria, antibiotics and poor eating habits including diets deficient in prebiotics can kill off and inhibit the proliferation of these friendly intestinal microflora. For this reason, it’s important to consume probiotics either as whole foods or as supplements. Consuming probiotic foods and supplements will help to recolonize your digestive tract’s natural flora and encourage their proliferation. This act is particularly important if you’ve come off a round of antibiotics. Remember: antibiotics kill the good guys too.
Good Sources of Probiotics
- Yogurt (See sources.)
- Kombucha (See sources.)
- Water Kefir (Learn to brew water kefir.)
- Fermented & Cultured Vegetables (See recipes for fermented foods.)
- Probiotic Supplements (See sources.)
Probiotics and Prebiotics: They Work Synergistically
It’s important to remember that both probiotics and prebiotics work together, synergistically. While you may load up on probiotic supplements, it won’t do your body much good if you continue to eat a diet devoid of fresh fruits, vegetables and other foods rich in inulin, fructans and oligosaccharides. Similarly, a diet rich in prebiotics will give your intestinal flora something to feed on, but it’s likely that your intesinal flora could use a boost if you’ve typically eaten a poor diet or been at antibiotics at some point (that is, if you’ve lived like most of us).
Learn More About Probiotics
- Healthy Children Eat Dirt
- Dairy-free Probiotics
- Got Bacteria?
- Fermented Foods for Beginners
1. Inulin May Help with Iron Uptake. Science Daily.
2. Inulin and Oligofructose: Safe Intakes & Legal Status. Journal of Nutrition. 1999;129:1412S-1417S
3. Presence of Inulin & Oligofructose in the Diet of Americans. Journal of Nutrition. 1999;129:1407S-1411S.
4. Gut Flora in Health & Disease. The Lancet, Volume 361, Issue 9356, Pages 512 – 519, 8 February 2003
5. The gut microbiota ecology: a new opportunity for the treatment of metabolic diseases? Frontiers in Bioscience. 2009 Jun 1;14:5107-17.
Kris says
Very informative! Thanks for mentioning supplements as a source of prebiotics beyond food. Natural food sources are great (I happen to really like artichokes myself!). Unfortunately it can be really tough to consistently get enough just from food. I know my wife – a working mom – struggles enough just getting the kids to eat enough whole grains and veggies, let alone the certain exact ones that give good prebiotic levels. I remember an article where some scientists in the UK created an all-the-prebiotics-you-need-from-food diet, and it ended up that unless you ate dandelion salad and artichoke soup, or chewed on some chicory root every day, it was pretty tough to do.
Millie says
Excellent information. I always hear about probiotics but very little about prebiotics. I love learning something new. You are a great teacher!
Cass says
Why do you specifically mention water kefir? Other kinds of kefir are probiotic too, aren’t they?
smilinggreenmom says
Thanks for this informative article on pre and probiotics! Our son has suffered from severe food allergies/sensitivities and Eczema since he was a baby. Nothing helped. We took him to all kinds of doctors and children’s hospitals and all they could tell us was that we would just have to deal with this. They could not help him aside of offering potent meds and creams. Our prayers were answered when we heard about the Vidazorb kids chewable probiotics and after a short time of taking them….our little boy looked and felt so much better! He is now fantastic and he can eat all kinds of foods thanks to his little Zorbee chewable!! I really believe that there is a huge amount of information that we have yet to even learn on how much these can benefit our bodies…I believe this because of the transformation I witnessed in our son whom so dramatically changed for the better 🙂 Thanks!
Jenn AKA The Leftover Queen says
Awesome post Jenny!
Anna says
I agree with you on the probiotic foods, but have reservations when it comes to the *supplementing* of prebiotics.
I tend to not deliberately supplement my diet with prebiotics (especially processed and refined probiotics), though I do consume a number of probiotic-rich foods and a wide variety of non-starchy vegetables (with low amounts of non-tropical fruit in season).
My experience is that processed inulin products and high oligosaccharides (such as Jerusalem artichokes) contribute to excessive gas production (my typically grain-free diet produces very little gas). I suppose I could wait it out and hope that that gassy effect would reduce in time, but the high oligosaccharides foods and supplements also raise my BG far too high, and that isn’t a good at all in the long term. It doesn’t make any sense to me that Jerusalem artichokes are so frequently recommended for diabetics. I’ll have to hope that my probiotics manage without probiotic supplementation.
I can consume most of the other non-starchy prebiotic foods on your list in moderation without any gas production or a unusual rise in BG. But the wheat (I’m also gluten-sensitive) and the Jerusalem artichokes are not a good idea for those with BG issues (hypo or hyperglycemic). It’s a shame about the Jerusalem artichokes, as they were very tasty.
Vicky says
I too have a hard time with digestion,bloat and major gas!! I’m on a Low-FODMAP diet(no sugar,no gluten or low gluten,nothing that will ferment in my tummy,no chemical Additives etc). I do take Pancreatin Plus Enzymes by Natural Factors with my meals which helps but still have some issues. Any suggestions? Basically I can’t have anything that will ferment in my tummy and I should mention I have a J-Pouch,no large bowel just my small intestine which was made in to a pouch so I can absorb some vitamins,slow my bowel movements. I have Ulcerative Colitis. (So poor Absorption of Vits/Minerals) plus I’m vegetarian/Vegan. I do eat organic yogurt,some sour cream,and a vegetarian lactose cheece/reg old cheddar and no other dairy. I might have to slow the dairy down. I just bought Complete Digestive Enzymes by Webber Naturals. I’ve only taken one and I bloated so bad I’ve not taken anymore but will re-start soon as I’m running out of my Pancreatic ones. Was told they will take about 2wks to work. So I’ll start in 2wks. Any suggestions about a supplement for me would be appreciated.
lo says
Curious to note: Did you refrain from including dairy kefir in the list of probiotics for a particular reason?
Jenny says
I didn’t refrain from including dairy kefir for any particular reason – it was more of an ommission I think. Dairy kefir is a n awesome source of beneficial bacteria – particularly many that are hard to find from other sources.
Take Care
– Jenny
Sonja says
What a brilliant post. Have you read Gut and Psychology Syndrome by Natasha Campbell-McBride? I saw her give a talk at the Weston A Price day in London last week and am reading it right now. It’s fascinating how important the maintenance of our gut flora is to our overall health; and even more so in the case of those with autism, depression, schizophrenia and other mental health issues.
Thanks for raising awareness on what is such an important, yet largely unknown or ignored topic!
Sonja
Lisa Whitener says
Love the article!! Thanks for all the great information. I was wondering why you didn’t mention milk kefir as a good source of probiotics??
Lisa Whitener says
Oh, as I went back and read the comments I see that it wasn’t a purposeful omission 😉 Thanks again!!
Jillian says
I’m curious about whether prebiotics also nourish the bad bacteria? I’m struggling to deal with the after-effects of a long course of antibiotics right now and sometimes I feel like I’m fighting a losing battle. Hopefully things’ll start to balance out soon but in the meantime I wonder if some of the things I’m doing are making the bad bacteria stronger?
Nick says
I work with a company called Vidazorb, and I think they are a great choice for anyone looking for a probiotic supplement. What makes them the best is the quality strains they use in non-refrigerated, calorie-, lactose- and gluten-free tablets!
Ken says
Nice article and a great summary of available probiotic foods!
Melissa says
I found your article while looking for more specific information on kombucha’s properties. I know there has been a lot of confusion about whether it is probiotic. Studies have not found the presence of probiotics in kombucha, however many companies add probiotics to their kombucha before bottling. It might be valuable to make the distinction that home-brewed kombucha will not be a great source for probiotics, however some store-bought brands may be. I have and love your cookbook by the way 🙂
Jenny says
Melissa,
The internationally recognized definition of “probiotic” is live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. In this way, kombucha is very much probiotic. However, in the US, the term “probiotic” is only used for very specific strains of bacteria, that may or may not be in home-brewed or commercially available kombucha.