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Written by Navneet Kaur, M.Sc. Nutrition & Dietetics
Diet
When we talk about gut health, you’ll often hear the words prebiotics and probiotics, and today we’ll explain what they mean and which one truly helps your digestive system.
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They’re special types of dietary fibers that your body can’t digest, but they feed the good bacteria in your gut and help them grow stronger.
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They are living bacteria found in foods and supplements that add more healthy microbes directly into your digestive system.
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You’ll find prebiotics in high-fiber foods like bananas, onions, garlic, asparagus, and whole grains that act as natural fuel for gut bacteria.
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They’re mostly found in fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut and kombucha, which supply live cultures to your gut.
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They improve digestion, increase mineral absorption, balance blood sugar, and support long-term gut health by making probiotics more effective.
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They help restore gut flora, reduce bloating, improve immunity, and are especially helpful after antibiotics or digestive issues.
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The main difference is that prebiotics feed the good bacteria you already have, while probiotics add new good bacteria to your gut.
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The truth is, neither prebiotics nor probiotics work alone, they complement each other, and combining both creates a healthier, balanced gut environment.
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If you want the best gut health, don’t choose between prebiotics vs probiotics, include both in your diet because together they work best for your digestion, immunity and overall health.
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