Probiotics have risen over the years as a healthful staple. People are recognizing the importance of taking a daily probiotic to improve their gut health for everything from digestive to immune support. But what are these prebiotics that has everyone buzzing, lately? In health-conscious circles prebiotics have been a “thing” for a while but they haven’t quite gotten the same amount of attention as probiotics, until recently. We wanted to add to this conversation and offer some insight to help you understand the difference between prebiotics and probiotics and why BOTH should be added to your regular health regime.

Before we dive into the differences we’re going to touch base on why taking both is beneficial. In short, they both compliment each other exceptionally well in that prebiotics help probiotics to do their job in our gut, and then some. Our gut really is our second brain and the very root of our immune system. When our digestive system is out of balance not only is our immunity impaired but we just feel off, experiencing everything from fatigue to brain fog, and even emotional distress. Physically, a distressed digestive tract can cause uncomfortable symptoms such as bloating, gassiness, irritable bowels, and nausea. Taking a prebiotic and a probiotic has been known to help alleviate (if not eliminate) many of these uncomfortable issues by balancing out the gut environment and supporting the vitality of our microbiome.

Prebiotics

Prebiotics are non-digestible fiber that gets fermented in the gut. Prebiotics feed the good bacteria in your gut to help nourish and maintain a strong healthy environment. Prebiotics such as fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and galactooligosaccharides (GOS) are found naturally in plant whole foods such as:

• Legumes
• Cabbage
• Garlic
• Onions
• Leeks
• Carrots
• Asparagus
• Artichokes
• Radishes
• Chicory root (contains inulin)
• Turmeric
• Cinnamon
• Cocoa
• Dandelion Greens 

Probiotics

Probiotics are live bacteria in our gut that feeds on prebiotics. Avariety of factors including flawed food sources, water contamination, emotional distress, and taking medications and antibiotics can greatly disrupt our gut microbiome; throwing it way out of whack and causing all kinds of health-related issues, not to mention drastically lowering our immune system. Probiotics supply our gut with much-needed support to restore and sustain proper digestive and immune function, helping us to feel our best!

Side Note: Taking antibiotics can destroy friendly gut bacteria, which is why it’s extremely important to replenish with a healthy dose of both pre and probiotics for increased healing and recovery.

Almost everywhere we look these days, health food markets are stocking probiotic-friendly foods. There are a ton of fermented food and beverage sources rich in probiotics. But beware of excess sugars and artificial ingredients in some of these foods as they can inhibit potency and efficacy. Some common food and drink probiotic sources are:

• Kombucha
• Kefir
• Kefir Soda
• Sauerkraut
• Pickles
• Miso
• Tempeh
• Sourdough
• Yogurt
• Kimchi
• Brine-cured Olives

Supplementing with Prebiotics and Probiotics

Of course, we encourage obtaining your nutrients through high-quality food sources but they may not provide the amount needed to truly balance out your gut flora. At Sunfood we take the power of superfoods and create premium-quality supplement products that retain (if not increase) the nutrient value for maximum absorption and efficacy within the body.

Our Organic Super Shake (available in berry, vanilla, and chocolate flavors) is filled with both prebiotics and probiotics along with other good stuff such as plant-based protein, omega-3’s, vitamins, minerals, and digestive enzymes.

If you’re all about green drinks then you’ll love our Sun is Shining Supergreens and/or Mint Supergreens mix. Both are filled with our proprietary probiotic and digestive enzyme blend, and also contain a prebiotic ingredient, dandelion leaf.

If you’d rather get your probiotics in capsule form, try our Supergreens Capsules which contain a whole-food blend of 19 organic green superfoods including dark leafy vegetables, herbs, grasses, algae, and sea veggies. To boot, it’s got our special enzyme and probiotic complex to support gut and digestive health.

As always, aim to consume a balance of prebiotic and probiotic-rich foods regularly. You can even add some of our superfoods to your favorite recipes. If you love the fall season why not give our Golden Milk Pumpkin Spice Latte a try for some prebiotic turmeric goodness!

Shop The Story 

Turmeric & Super Herbs	Turmeric Powder	Vanilla Organic Super Shake

Sun Is Shining™ Supergreens	Mint Supergreens	Supergreens Capsules

Sources

(1) https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-14360/why-prebiotics-are-just-as-important-as-probiotics-for-gut-health.html

Sunfood's "Natural Solutions" does not promote or suggest natural cures, natural healing or natural remedies for any disease, disorder or ailment thereof. This information should be treated as educational material gathered and discovered from various studies, clinical trials and customer reviews. It is designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, and independent conclusions in regards to natural products and alternative health choices. It is best to consult with your healthcare practitioner before attempting any form of natural cure, natural healing or natural remedy to any health issues.