This is part of our Ultimate Guide to Private Label Probiotics, a complete overview of the benefits of probiotic supplementation for consumers, some of the different strains and their specific uses, the process of responsibly manufacturing a probiotic product, and what to look for when choosing a probiotic manufacturer.
Executive Summary
Prebiotic selection is a formulation decision as much as a nutrition one, because the fiber a brand pairs with a probiotic strain sets what that strain has available to feed on. Only fibers that gut microorganisms use selectively, and that show a demonstrated benefit, meet the formal definition of a prebiotic, which matters for labeling and for the brief a brand gives its probiotic contract manufacturer. Fructo-oligosaccharides and galacto-oligosaccharides are the two important prebiotic groups, and inulin, a common FOS, is already added to many dietary supplements as a food source for probiotics. Brands that treat prebiotic selection as a defined formulation decision give their dietary supplement manufacturer a clearer starting point for a private label probiotic product.
Key Takeaways
- Prebiotics are the fiber-based food probiotics depend on, and the formal definition of a prebiotic sets the bar for formulation and labeling decisions.
- FOS and GOS are the two prebiotic groups to build around, with inulin, one of the most common FOS, already added to many dietary supplements as a food source for probiotics.
- Prebiotics are associated with benefits of their own, independent of probiotics, which gives brands more to work with than a food source for a probiotic strain alone.†
Prebiotics are the healthy food that probiotics need in order to survive and thrive. Foods in the diet which are high in fiber provide various health benefits.† When this fiber is consumed, the prebiotic portion passes through the upper digestive tract undigested and is fermented in the large intestine by the bacteria that live there. In addition to providing a food source for probiotics, prebiotics help to support the number of beneficial bacteria and a balanced gut environment, which contributes to good digestive health.† Not every fiber source meets the formal definition of a prebiotic, however: a prebiotic must be selectively used by the microorganisms in the gut and produce a demonstrated health benefit, a distinction that matters when a brand is making formulation and labeling decisions.
Types of Prebiotics
Most of the prebiotics identified are oligosaccharides. They are resistant to the human digestive enzymes that work on all other carbohydrates. This means that they pass through the upper GI system without being digested. They then get fermented in the lower colon, and produce short-chain fatty acids that feed the beneficial bacteria that live there. Oligosaccharides can be found in foods such as kidney beans, chickpeas, lentils, onions, garlic, leeks, flax seeds, honey, bananas, lemons, chia seeds, tomatoes, and chocolate.
Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) are the two important groups of prebiotics with beneficial effects on human health.† Both groups are a food source for lactobacilli, bifidobacteria and other beneficial probiotics that live in the intestines.
Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) pass into the intestines through the stomach, where beneficial bacteria and yeast eat them. During this process, they help support digestion and the immune system.†
Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) help to support the immune system and may help maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut.†
The Role of Inulin
One of the most common types of FOS is inulin. Inulin is a type of soluble fiber that is found in many plants, and is also added into many dietary supplements as a food source for probiotics. However, inulin on its own is associated with a variety of health benefits.†
Inulin helps to slow the digestion process, which can facilitate better absorption of nutrients from food and help moderate rises in blood sugar after carbohydrates.† This means that inulin may help to support healthy blood sugar levels.†
Inulin also supports the immune system.† In another study, inulin was used in a powdered form to determine whether it contributed to feelings of health and well-being. This study found that on the day participants took the inulin, they reported feeling happier and less hungry than on the day they took a placebo.†
Research is even connecting the health of the gut microbiome to a good night’s sleep. In a study of young rats, a diet containing prebiotics and milk-derived ingredients improved non-REM sleep and enhanced REM sleep after a stressful event.† A 2019 study found that greater gut microbiome diversity was associated with better sleep efficiency and longer total sleep time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Prebiotics
Next: ➤ Learn More About the Advantages of Probiotics in Dietary Supplements.
†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
