What are the differences between probiotics and prebiotics?

Prebiotics are carbohydrates that are not digested and absorbed by the human intestine. They are food for thousands of beneficial bacteria in the baby's intestines. These bacteria continue to multiply and gradually increase in number, which can inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, strengthen the intestinal barrier function, improve the baby's gastrointestinal digestion and absorption function, and promote intestinal health. Probiotics are a type of bacteria that are beneficial to the human body and can be consumed directly as a food additive to maintain the balance of intestinal flora.

Prebiotics ≠ Probiotics

The original English word for probiotics is “Probiotics”. Its literal translation is related to the origin of life, which seems a bit confusing. In fact, they are bacteria that are beneficial to the human body, but they are not the body's own, so they are called probiotics. Probiotics is a general term. There are many types of probiotics, and their effects on the human body are also different.

The original English word for prebiotics is “Prebiotics”, which is only one letter different from the original word for probiotics. In fact, it is an artificial simulation of the oligosaccharides in breast milk. To put it bluntly, it is like food for beneficial bacteria, which can promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the human body while inhibiting harmful bacteria.

How it works

As we all know, breast milk is sterile and has always been known as the best food for babies. It can promote the baby's own immunity, and this function is achieved through the third ingredient - oligosaccharides. Prebiotics are ingredients that simulate breast milk. GOS prebiotics have the same molecular weight and galactose content as the oligosaccharides in breast milk and are one of the prebiotics commonly used in formula milk.

GOS prebiotics enter the intestine in an undigested form, and by lowering the pH value and being fermented by beneficial bacteria, they promote the growth of beneficial bacteria such as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli in the intestine, and can inhibit harmful bacteria. When the beneficial bacteria in the intestines increase, they can pass through the intestinal mucosa and promote the production of immunoglobulin A in the intestines to fight pathogens. In addition, beneficial bacteria can enhance the digestion of nutrients, synthesize essential B nutrients such as vitamin B12, and promote the absorption of trace elements such as calcium, magnesium, and iron.

Through the above understanding, we can know the difference between probiotics and prebiotics, but in general, both prebiotics and probiotics are beneficial to the human body, and they also complement each other. Because there are many types of probiotics and their functions are different, we need to add them in a targeted manner to solve the problem in a targeted manner.