Our body needs trillions of beneficial microorganisms in our gut (digestive tract) to be able to function well. And this is not just about maintaining gut health but our overall well-being. While synbiotics is a lesser-known term, the terms prebiotics and probiotics are often used interchangeably by many folks. However, they are different, not just in their makeup but also in their mode of action. Understanding their food sources is important for maintaining a healthy gut and in turn a healthy and disease-free body.
ProbioticsDr. Debojyoti Dhar, co-founder & Director, Leucine Rich Bio Pvt. Ltd. says, “These are foods or products that contain healthy microorganisms that our body needs to function well. One of the popular ways to consume probiotics is in the form of supplements. However, one can fulfill this body requirement by including fermented foods in their diet. This can be in the form of a fermented pickle. Yes, you read that right. Abundant healthy probiotic bacteria, including a pickled cucumber or lime in your diet is a great way to get the benefit of the beneficial bacteria. Other simple examples of probiotics are dahi, buttermilk, and yogurt that we can incorporate into our diets effortlessly. Moreover, sipping on Kombucha, the fermented green tea is also a way to keep your gut health in check as the tea is rich in friendly bacteria and yeast.”
