What is the Difference Between Prebiotic Probiotic and Postbiotic

The main difference between prebiotic probiotic and postbiotic is that prebiotic is an undigestible material that stimulates the growth of probiotics while probiotic is a microorganism that has health benefits when consumed, and postbiotics are the metabolic byproducts of probiotics.

Generally, prebiotic, probiotic, and postbiotic are three types of substances beneficial for gut health. They are also important in the digestion and absorption of food.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Prebiotic
   • Definition, Features, Importance
2. What is Probiotic
   • Definition, Features, Importance
3. What is Postbiotic
   • Definition, Features, Importance
4. Similarities Between Prebiotic Probiotic and Postbiotic
   • Outline of Common Features
5. Difference Between Prebiotic Probiotic and Postbiotic
   • Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Prebiotic, Probiotic, Postbiotic

What is Prebiotic

A prebiotic is a compound in food that selectively stimulates the growth and activity of beneficial microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi in the gut. Therefore, prebiotics can alter the composition of gut microorganisms. Prebiotics are typically undigestible fiber compounds. 

Figure 1: Prebiotics

Prebiotics do not undergo digestion in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract; hence, they stimulate the growth and activity of the advantageous microorganisms in the colon by being substrates for these microorganisms. Moreover, some examples of prebiotics include beta-glucan from oats and inulin from chicory root.

What is Probiotic

Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide health benefits when consumed. They can restore and improve gut flora. Some examples of probiotics include Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Saccharomyces boulardii. Moreover, Lactobacillus is a common type of microorganism in yogurt and other fermented food. In general, it is important in treating diarrhea and is beneficial to those with lactose intolerance.

Figure 2: Yoghurt

Bifidobacterium occurs in dairy products and helps to treat the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Furthermore, Saccharomyces boulardii is a type of yeast that acts as a probiotic, which fights diarrhea and other digestive problems. In addition, some of the diseases treated using probiotics include irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), infectious diarrhea caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites, antibiotic-related diarrhea, skin conditions like eczema, urinary and vaginal health, preventing allergies and colds, and oral health issues.

What is Postbiotic

Postbiotic are soluble materials of bacteria, important as metabolites that provide physiological benefits to the host. It is basically the waste behind the digestion of both prebiotics and probiotics. Moreover, some examples of postbiotics include vitamin B and K, amino acids, short-chain fatty acids, and antimicrobial peptides. Here, short-chain fatty acids help healthy bacteria flourish while antimicrobial peptides help to slow down the growth of harmful bacteria.

Similarities Between Prebiotic Probiotic and Postbiotic

• Prebiotic, probiotic, and postbiotic are three substances important for gut health.
• In general, at the end of their activity, hosts gain various health benefits.

Difference Between Prebiotic Probiotic and Postbiotic

Definition

Prebiotic refers to a non-digestible food ingredient that promotes the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the intestines, probiotic refers to a substance that stimulates the growth of microorganisms, especially those with beneficial properties (such as those of the intestinal flora), and postbiotic refers to a preparation of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confers a health benefit on the host.  

Significance

Generally, a prebiotic is a compound in food, an undigestible material that stimulates the growth of probiotics; probiotics are microorganisms that have health benefits when consumed, while postbiotics are the metabolic byproducts of probiotics.

Examples

Some examples of prebiotics include beta-glucan from oats and inulin from chicory root, whereas some examples of probiotics include Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Saccharomyces boulardii. In addition, examples of postbiotics include vitamin B and K, amino acids, short-chain fatty acids, and antimicrobial peptides.

Conclusion

In brief, a prebiotic is a substance that is undigestible and capable of stimulating beneficial microorganisms in the gut, while a probiotic is a beneficial microorganism that can restore gut health after consumption. Prebiotics, on the other hand, are beneficial metabolites of probiotics with health benefits to the host. Therefore, this is the main difference between prebiotic probiotic and postbiotic.

References:

1. Wikimedia Foundation. (2022, May 31). Prebiotic (nutrition). Wikipedia. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
2. Wikimedia Foundation. (2022, August 9). Probiotic. Wikipedia. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
3. Wikimedia Foundation. (2022, July 26). Postbiotic. Wikipedia. Retrieved August 16, 2022.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Raw oatmeal with fruits, chia seeds, pine nuts and yogurt on wooden background” By Marco Verch Professional Photographer – Own Work (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Yakult drink” By Amin – Own Work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia