What Is The Difference Between A Prebiotic And A Probiotic

Prebiotics and probiotics are both beneficial for health, but they are different. Prebiotics are food for beneficial bacteria that are already in the gut, while probiotics are live bacteria that are added to the gut. Prebiotics are usually found in foods like chicory root, onions, garlic, and wheat, and probiotics are found in foods like yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut. Prebiotics are not alive like probiotics, so they are not destroyed by stomach acid. Instead, they travel to the lower intestine, where they are broken down by the beneficial bacteria that are already present. This helps the bacteria to grow and thrive. On the other hand, probiotics are alive, so they must be taken in a form that is resistant to stomach acid, such as in capsules or powder form. When probiotics reach the lower intestine, they help to strengthen the beneficial bacteria that are already present. They also help to crowd out any harmful bacteria that may be present.