Although it is possible to confuse them, and many people tend to think that they are the same, the truth is that it is necessary to know the differences between prebiotics and probiotics to discover that, in reality, their benefits, properties and main functions are very different. Not only do we have to take into account that they each come from different food sources, but their functions in the body tend not to be the same.
In the particular case of those known as prebiotics, they consist of substances that act as food for the beneficial bacteria found mainly in the colon, so they help in a very positive way to maintain a good health of the intestinal flora. But, in the case of probiotics, what are they and what do they consist of?
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are characterized as living microorganisms (mainly bacteria or yeast), which help increase, maintain and improve the intestinal flora. This is composed of microorganisms that feed on the fiber we consume from our diet.
They are essential bacteria, since an imbalance can cause alterations in our health. If you want to know more, find out how to take care of your intestinal flora with some natural tips and tricks.
In this sense, the lactobacillus casei, lactobacillus acidofillus and lactobacillus rhamnosus stand out, which according to the different scientific studies that have been carried out to analyze their benefits, have turned out to be the most interesting.
These microorganisms are able to cross the gastric barrier and settle in the colon, where they multiply and colonize the intestinal mucus, where they perform their important functions for our health.
Probiotics and health: benefits and virtues
Probiotics are living microorganisms that, when ingested in sufficient quantity, are extremely beneficial to the body by helping to regulate the intestinal transit.
In this respect, and to give just one example, bifidobacteria are a type of probiotic found mainly in fermented dairy products.
As far as their health effects are concerned, probiotics are suitable for improving the function of the intestinal transit and its own regulation, helping in heavy digestions, preventing constipation and treating abdominal swelling.
Most important functions of probiotics
Probiotics are essential for our health, and fundamental within a healthy, varied and balanced diet, as they carry out the following basic functions, providing us with the benefits listed below
- They stimulate the production of antibodies: there is no doubt that probiotics are very beneficial for our defences, as they help to strengthen the immune system. In this sense, they act to reduce infections caused by the ingestion of pathogenic elements.
- Good for the gut: they help reduce inflammatory disorders affecting the gut. They are also useful in case of diarrhoea, used in treatments against diarrhoea.
- Good for the gut: as they are beneficial to the body by helping to regulate the intestinal transit, consumption of both fermented milk and probiotic products themselves can be ideal for improving the feeling of abdominal bloating, and thus the very quality of life of the people who take them.
- They improve digestive function: helping, for example, to assimilate essential nutrients as important as amino acids.
- Essential for the synthesis of vitamins: especially in the synthesis of group B vitamins.
- Beneficial against intolerances and allergies: some scientific studies have shown that probiotics are useful in reducing both food allergies and lactose intolerance.
- Antimicrobial acid producers: these acids prevent pathogens from proliferating.
What are the foods richest in probiotics
If you want to include probiotic foods in your daily diet, the most interesting ones are: yogurt, kefir, brewer’s yeast, miso and tempeh.
While both yogurt and kefir can be found in the supermarket, brewer’s yeast, tempeh and miso can be found in herbalists and specialty diet shops (although in some cases it is also possible to buy them in supermarkets).
If you want to know more about probiotic foods, we encourage you to read the following articles:
You can find them in herbalists and hypermarkets, and their cost can be affordable depending on the brand chosen.
When to take probiotic foods
Basically, the consumption of probiotic foods is recommended when there is an imbalance in the intestinal flora, which is often easily upset by the consumption of antibiotics. Although it is advisable to start taking probiotics after the treatment has been completed, if you have to take the antibiotics for more than 2 weeks it is interesting to take them at the same time.
However, as a general rule, probiotic foods are recommended for the following conditions or conditions:
- Inflammatory bowel diseases (non-ulcer): Irritable bowel syndrome (also popularly known as irritable colon), Crohn’s disease…
- Low immune system, with increased susceptibility to infection
- Constipation.
- Gas.
- high cholesterol levels
- skin disorders: acne, psoriasis, and eczema
- Vaginal candidiasis.
- allergies
- Urinary tract infections.
In any case, despite the fact that probiotic foods are healthy, it is not advisable to consume these foods for longer than a month, especially in children under 14 years of age without the supervision of a professional.