Your gastrointestinal tract is home to many good kinds of bacteria, including trillions of microbiota. This bacteria helps to keep your gut healthy but is not alone in its efforts.
Two other substances are known as prebiotics and probiotics also exist within your GI tract, but what exactly are they and how are they any different from one another?
Prebiotics
Prebiotics are not a bacteria but are actually dietary fiber that works to support the growth of healthy bacteria within the gastrointestinal tract. These fibers can be found in many foods such as:
- Leeks
- Onions
- Jerusalem Artichokes
- Asparagus
- Soybeans
- Bananas
- Spinach and Other Leafy Greens
- Beans
- Oats
- Whole Wheats
Probiotics
Probiotics are another good type of bacteria that exist within your GI tract. These bacterias and yeasts primarily come from fermented foods like:
- Yogurt
- Sauerkraut
- Tempeh
- Kimchi
- Miso Soup
- Kombucha
Best Practices for a Healthy Gut
When you aren’t searching out prebiotics and probiotics, you should be contributing to the overall health of your GI tract by maintaining a diet rich in plant-based foods. Such foods are a great source of fiber, which many individuals are severely lacking in their daily meals.
At the same time, you should strive to avoid unhealthy fats, red meat, fried foods, high-fat dairy products, foods with additives, and advanced glycation end products (AGEs).
Source:
https://www.pcrm.org/health/health-topics/healthy-gut-prebiotics-and-probiotics