The study of the human microbiome has increased current knowledge about the importance of the microbiota in health during all stages of life. Human microbial colonization occurs in the skin, in the genitourinary system and, mainly, in the oral cavity and the gastrointestinal tract. In all these places, the human microbiota establishes a symbiotic relationship with the host and helps maintain physiological homeostasis. The main regulators of the composition and functionality of the human microbiota are lifestyle, age and diet.
The fundamental difference between the two is that probiotics are live microorganisms that provide a health benefit to the consumer; while prebiotics are substrates that stimulate the growth or activity of existing microorganisms.
In this sense, because the human intestinal microbiota can play a very important role in health, there is currently great interest in manipulating the composition of the intestinal flora towards a potentially “repairing” community, that is, one that can help us and contribute to improving our health.
What is a Probiotic?
Probiotics have been defined by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO) as live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit.
The definition of a probiotic implies that its beneficial capacity remains active when it reaches the places where it interacts with the consumer and that its mechanisms of action are explained. In addition, the viability of probiotics must be maintained during the shelf life of the product in which it is administered, which must contain the quantity of microorganisms necessary to provide the expected benefit.
In addition, scientific evidence is required to demonstrate that the consumption of a given microorganism produces a specific beneficial effect on the health of the consumer in order to accredit its category as probiotic. The different effects on health that probiotics exert are carried out through the intestinal flora.
And a Prebiotic?
According to the World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO), prebiotics are dietary substances that nourish selected groups of microorganisms that inhabit our intestines, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria over harmful ones. Commonly known prebiotics include: oligofructose, inulin, galactooligosaccharides, lactulose and oligosaccharides from breast milk.
In addition, for a food ingredient or food to be considered a prebiotic, it must meet a series of requirements such as:
Not being hydrolyzed or absorbed in the upper gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach and duodenum) and therefore being resistant to gastric acidity, hydrolysis by digestive enzymes and not being absorbed in the small intestine.
-
Be selectively fermented by beneficial bacteria from the intestinal microbiota
Being able to induce beneficial physiological effects on health
Differences between a Probiotic and a Prebiotic
The fundamental difference between the two is that probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate quantities, confer a health benefit to the consumer; while prebiotics are substrates that stimulate the growth or activity of indigenous microorganisms, resulting in a health benefit.
There is also a difference in their use depending on the desired objective or possible benefits that can be obtained.
Regarding the benefits associated with the administration of probiotics, there is greater evidence for the remission of symptoms of poor digestion. On the other hand, prebiotics are often used as laxatives due to their ability to increase peristalsis and in the prevention and treatment of hepatic encephalopathy.
Foods with Probiotics
You should know that there are different “strains” within foods that contain probiotics, that is, different types of microorganisms. The best known are “bifidobacterium” and “lactobacillus”, which are easy to find in the following foods:
Yogurt
Kefir
Miso
Soy sauce
Sauerkraut
Pickles
Kombucha
Kimchi
Comments (0)
There are no comments for this article. Be the first one to leave a message!