what is a probiotic

Prebiotics vs probiotics vs postbiotics

Many products advertise using words like “prebiotic” and “contains probiotics” so it is important for health-conscious consumers to understand the meaning of these terms.

Prebiotics:

The raw materials of fermentation (generally plant fibers and plant sugars) are called prebiotics; they are used as fuel for microbes. The fiber in fruits, veggies, whole grains, and the milk sugar in dairy are the most common prebiotics.

Probiotics:

Beneficial bacteria and yeasts are called probiotics.  These microbes directly benefit the human body, creating a healthy microbiome.  The most common probiotics are lactobacillus and bifidobacteria.

Postbiotics

Postbiotics are the byproducts of the activity of probiotic microbes. Vinegar is the most common postbiotic.

I spend two chapters in my book discussing the importance of prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics. If you want to learn more, click here.