Prebiotics vs Priobiotics: What's The Difference?

Prebiotics are foods that can't be digested by the body, but promote the growth of healthy micro organisms in the intestines, (including Probiotics). Prebiotics are a type of fibre, but not all fibre is prebiotic.

In other words, Prebiotics are types of fibre that can't be digested by the body but help push your food through your intestines and feed the Probiotics in your gut!

1. Resistant Starches

Help with water and electrolyte absorption, immune system functionality and anti-inflammation. How you cook the food can impact the level of resistant starches in the food.

For example, potatoes have less resistant starch when you bake them. But when you boil them and cool them down, the white, starchy film that appears is the resistant starch you want.

Foods with Resistant Starches include:

• Boiled and chilled potatoes.
• Green bananas
• Oats
• Rice
• Beans

2. Inulin

Is a prebiotic fibre found in many plants. It can help you feel fuller for longer, lessing the desire to eat more. Inulin can assist decreasing LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol), help stabilize blood sugars while increasing and boosting the good bacteria in your gut.

Foods with Inulin include:

• Soybeans
• Asparagus
• Onions
• Leeks

3. Pectin

    Pectin is a starch found in the cell walls of fruits and vegetables. It's found in a variety of different plant and plant based foods.

Pectin has antioxidants, plus it can benefit the skin cells of your intestinal lining and decrease the ability for diseases to take root.

Foods with Pectin include:

• Apples
• Citrus fruit pulp and peel
• Cherries
• Carrots
• Apricots