What is the difference between probiotics and prebiotics? -Gogo Herbs

As the saying goes, “all diseases start from the intestines”, having a healthy intestine can help us stay away from diseases and maintain a healthy and youthful body! When it comes to maintaining gastrointestinal health, the nutrients that come to mind are probablyProbiotics"Bar! Have you ever heard of "prebiotics", which has a name similar to probiotics? AlthoughProbiotics和PrebioticsBoth are elements that have a positive effect on the stomach and intestines, but what is the difference between the two?

What are probiotics?

There are many different types of bacteria living in our intestines, some of which are "good bacteria" and some are "bad bacteria". Probiotics are a type of "good bacteria" in the intestines. They can effectively balance the intestinal environment and inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria in the intestines. They have benefits for the human body that go far beyond maintaining intestinal health:

Treat constipation and gastrointestinal discomfort: Probiotics can improve the balance of the host microbiome, promote intestinal motility, and thus improve constipation.
Relieve skin problems: Environmental factors can affect the growth of intestinal bacteria in young children. Many studies have found that the types of intestinal bacteria are closely related to skin problems. Probiotics can enhance skin immunity and protect it from environmental irritants.
Weight management: Among the hundreds of bacteria in the intestines, there are so-called "fat bacteria" and "thin bacteria". Absorbing more probiotics can help the intestines produce more "thin bacteria" and help the body lose weight.
Enhance immunity: In addition to being responsible for digestion and absorption, the intestine is also an important immune organ of the human body. Studies have shown that probiotics in the intestines can help enhance immunity and reduce the risk of catching a cold.

What are prebiotics?

Simply put, prebiotics are actually "food" for probiotics. Prebiotics are mainly carbohydrates, which are inactive and therefore cannot be directly absorbed by the human body. Although the human body cannot absorb prebiotics, on the contrary, prebiotics are like fertilizers for the probiotics in the intestines. In other words, they are nutrients for probiotics and can promote the growth of probiotics in our intestines.

When to take probiotics?

Probiotics have many benefits, and of course everyone should learn the secrets to maximize the effectiveness of probiotics! The dosage of probiotics is important, but another key is actually the timing of taking them! The survival rate of probiotics is closely related to the temperature and acidity in the intestines. Probiotics are neither heat-resistant nor acid-resistant. The ideal survival temperature is 40 degrees and the acidity is PH 4-7. After we eat, gastric acid will begin to be secreted in large quantities to help digest food, which greatly increases the acidity in the intestines and greatly reduces the survival rate of probiotics. Therefore, it is more difficult for probiotics to survive within two hours after a meal. On the contrary, according to clinical research, 15-30 minutes before a meal is the time when probiotics can enter the body fastest and survive most safely. Therefore, it is recommended that you take advantage of the time before a meal to absorb probiotics.

related articles:Do you know the benefits of probiotics?

Probiotic Food Sources

In addition to various probiotic supplements, probiotics can usually be found in fermented foods. The following foods areProbiotic Food Sources, why not add them to your daily menu!