{"id":34895,"date":"2023-03-29T01:38:36","date_gmt":"2023-03-29T01:38:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/?p=34895"},"modified":"2025-07-02T21:38:29","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T21:38:29","slug":"prebiotics-vs-probiotics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/prebiotics-vs-probiotics\/","title":{"rendered":"Is It Better to Take Prebiotics or Probiotics? Here’s What a Dietitian Says"},"content":{"rendered":"

Prebiotics vs. probiotics<\/a>: Do you need both? Or is one better to take than the other? <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

These days, taking a probiotic supplement to enhance your gut health<\/a> is common. Over the last decade, the popularity of probiotics has skyrocketed to new levels\u2026 and for good reason. After all, probiotics support much more than just your gut health. A diverse and healthy gut microbiome positively influences<\/a> your immune system<\/a>, cravings, weight<\/a>, mental health, and more.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

That said, you may not be as familiar with prebiotics, which are equally important. But what’s the real difference between prebiotics vs. probiotics, anyway? Keep reading to see how the two are similar yet different. Plus: how to add both into your dietary routine to support your gut and greater health.<\/p>\n\n\n

Chelsey Amer, MS, RDN, CDN<\/a>, highlights the primary differences between prebiotics vs. probiotics, then shares why both are worth adding into your routine (and how).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

Prebiotics vs. Probiotics: 3 key differences<\/h2>\n\n\n

1. Prebiotics Feed Probiotic Bacteria<\/h3>\n\n\n

The marked difference between probiotics and prebiotics is that probiotics are live organisms<\/a>\u2014namely bacteria and yeast\u2014whereas prebiotics are food for probiotics.<\/p>\n\n\n

In order for the probiotics in food and supplements<\/a> to be effective, they must survive the acidic environment of the stomach and then bile secretion to make it to the colon, where bacteria colonizes the gut. Your gut is a transient environment<\/a>, meaning the composition of your microbiome changes over time. It\u2019s influenced by factors like age, diet, health status, medications, and even prebiotic consumption.<\/p>\n\n\n

In order for prebiotics to be useful, they must also bypass the digestive process to make it to your colon, where gut bacteria live. Fiber<\/a> is a non-digestible carbohydrate that survives the digestive process, which is why prebiotics are high-fiber carbohydrates. Specifically, these foods are all high in soluble fiber<\/a>, which is highly fermentable.<\/p>\n\n\n

2. They Impact Your Health in Different Ways<\/h3>\n\n\n

Trillions of live probiotic organisms, with upwards of 1,000 different bacteria strains, reside in your gut. Your overall gut flora impacts your health and can influence your risk of disease.<\/p>\n\n\n

Probiotics can impact your health and bodily processes in a variety of ways<\/a>, such as by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n