Probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics: untangled

Three words that look alike and are easily confused — let's set the record straight.

A probiotic is the living microorganisms themselves: the residents. A prebiotic is the fibre that feeds those residents: their pantry — found in onions, garlic, leeks, slightly green bananas, oats and pulses. A synbiotic combines the two in a single product.

The home and the pantry, delivered together.

Feeding a microbiome that is already there is useful — but sometimes you also need to bring in new residents. That is the whole point of a synbiotic.

Good to know — there is no universal rule: it all depends on your goal and your digestive tolerance, as some fibres can cause bloating in sensitive people.

Understanding this distinction already means choosing more wisely what you really need, rather than trusting the first bottle that comes along.

This article is part of ILINNE's free fundamentals — reviewed by a doctor, written to be understood the first time.