Probiotics and prebiotics are two buzz words these days. Those who are into nutrition and healthy eating would know the fine line between prebiotic and probiotic. They might have similar sounds but their roles are entirely different for good gut health. If you are confused between these two, their functions and list of foods, read this article as we have explained all aspects here.
Prebiotic vs. probiotic benefits
Both prebiotics and probiotics are good for our health. While probiotics are good gut bacteria, prebiotics feeds these bacteria to thrive and secure gut health. Both of these are required by the human body to boost gut flora and function properly. For balanced gut microbiota, you need to consume both pre- and probiotic in balanced amounts.
Read these benefits of gut bacteria for a better understanding:
- Good gut bacteria protect the digestive tract from harmful viruses, bacteria and fungi.
- They fight inflammation by regulating the immune system.
- They keep stomach problems at bay.
- They contain short-chain fatty acids that are good for cells present at the lining of the colon and works as a barrier for harmful substances.
- Ample amount of gut flora reduces the risk of colon cancer.
- Probiotic foods are also good for acne reduction.
Food and Gut Microbiota
The kind of food we eat has a direct impact on our health. The more healthy eating you do, the higher would be good bacteria in the gut. The more unhealthy foods you consume, the lesser is the microbiota. Healthy foods allow good bacteria to thrive in the gut whereas unhealthy foods such as junk and sugary foods increase the count of bad bacteria in the gut that cause trouble for you.
Also Read: 7 Probiotic Foods That You Should Start Eating To Lose Weight
What Are Probiotic Foods?
Probiotic foods are those that naturally have good bacteria in them. They enter your gut and initiate the process of maintaining gut health by eliminating bad bacteria from the intestine. Here is a list of probiotic foods that you should consume on a regular basis:
- Plain yogurt(preferable homemade)
- Kimchi
- Kefir
- Sauerkraut.
- Kombucha tea.
- Pickled vegetables or pickle juice
You must have at least one of them daily to keep up the good bacteria count. The best option is homemade yogurt with live cultures. Just have it plain and it will keep your stomach worries away.
What Are Prebiotic Foods?
We see a lot of people buying prebiotic supplements. Why supplements when you can get it from food? There are so many foods containing prebiotics that you can have to meet the prebiotic needs. These have fibre that isn’t digestible by the body but by good bacteria that are present in your stomach. Prebiotic foods help probiotics to thrive in the gut and kill the bad bacteria.
Also Read: Know Why Prebiotics Are Important and How You Can Add Them To Your Diet
Here are some prebiotic foods:
- Banana
- Oats
- Berries
- Garlic
- Onion
- Beans, peas and legumes
- Dandelion greens
- Jerusalem artichokes
Both probiotics and prebiotics are good for the gut, the only difference lies in their roles. While probiotics act directly, prebiotics help probiotics to thrive and multiply in the gut. You should add both probiotic and prebiotic foods to your diet for a healthy and happy stomach.
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