Probiotics and Prebiotics: 9 Benefits, Differences, and Side Effects

Healthbeautyidea.com – Many of us think maintaining endurance can be done by resting adequately and eating healthy foods. Yes, of course it is. But have you heard of consuming probiotics and prebiotics can also maintain endurance? What is the difference between probiotics and prebiotics?

Let’s find out information about the differences in probiotics and prebiotics, their benefits, and side effects.

Probiotics and Prebiotics Benefits

Probiotics and prebiotics have several benefits for the health of the body, among others:

Digestive health

A number of studies have found that probiotics can improve digestive health in some people.

A 2017 Cochrane review found that taking probiotics while using antibiotics reduced the risk of antibiotic-related diarrhea by up to 60 percent.

A 2014 analysis of 24 experiments found that probiotics can help prevent life-threatening diseases of necrotizing enterocolitis in premature babies.

Mental health

The smaller Research agency suggests that probiotics can improve mental health.

A 2017 review found that probiotics can reduce depressive symptoms, but the authors note that additional studies are needed to confirm this.

It is possible that probiotics have this effect because there is a link between the gut and brain health.

7 Other benefits

• Helps overcome indigestion, such as diarrhea and constipation.
• Reduces the symptoms of inflammation of the intestine.
• Maintain the health of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Helps overcome skin diseases, such as eczema.
• Maintain the health of the urinary tract and areas of femininity.
• Prevents allergies, colds, and upper respiratory tract infections.
• Maintain oral health.

To prevent allergies, the World Allergy Organization recommends the use of probiotics for pregnant and lactating women as well as babies who have a high risk of developing allergies.

In a literature, it is explained that the presence of good bacteria in the human intestine can lower blood fat levels, although its effectiveness has not been definitively proven.

Other benefits that probiotics can provide are protecting the digestive system from bacteria, viruses, and fungi, stimulating the formation of digestive enzymes, inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, as well as increasing the immune system.

Read also:
Immune Boosting Supplements and How To Choose It

Probiotics and prebiotics difference

Although the names are similar, probiotics and prebiotics are two different things. Probiotics are living microorganisms that can benefit human health if given in the right amount. Meanwhile, prebiotics are natural compounds contained in foods that also provide health benefits for the body.

Probiotics

Probiotics are good germs that are in the intestines to boost the immune system. In the child’s body, probiotics can prevent infections, allergies, diarrhea, as well as improve bowel movement patterns.

Probiotics are also able to prevent other indigestion, such as gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome, as well as colic. Bacteria included in probiotics include Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus.

In general probiotics are divided into three types, namely:

Lactobacillus.

It’s the most frequent and easy to find. These bacteria are useful in treating diarrhea and lactose absorption disorders. Yogurt and fermented food products usually contain this type of bacteria.

Bifidobacterium.

These bacteria can be found in processed dairy products. Its benefits to relieve long-term indigestion such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Saccharomyces boulardii.

Unlike the other two types that are bacteria, Saccharomyces boulardii is classified as a fungus in probiotics. This fungus is used to treat diarrhea and indigestion.

Food sources of probiotics:

1. Yogurt.
2. Kimchi.
3. Some types of pickles are not pasteurized, the pasteurization process kills bacteria.
4. Kefir.
5. Cheese.

Prebiotics

Prebiotics are substances found in foods that cannot be digested by the human intestine. However, prebiotics can stimulate an increase in the number of probiotics in the intestine. Simply put, prebiotics become ‘foods’ for probiotics.

Prebiotics are very good for health because they can increase the amount of good bacteria and also suppress the growth of unhealthy pressures. Substances that can be changed by prebiotics are oligosaccharides, such as inulin, oligofructosa, and galactooligosaccharides.

Food sources of prebiotics:

1. Legumes, chickpeas.
2. Wheat.
3. Bananas.
4. Berries.
5. Onions.
6. Vegetables.

Probiotics and Prebiotics Side Effects

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the use of prebiotics and probiotics is generally safe for people who are in good health.

However, prebiotics and probiotics can result in gas buildup in the digestion, constipation, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.

Therefore, we should not consume prebiotics and probiotics in excess.