Probiotics and prebiotics: What is the difference?
TWO of the biggest health and wellness buzzwords today are probiotics and prebiotics.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that are believed to have many health benefits. Probiotics can be found in yogurt and other fermented foods and drinks (such as kombucha), supplements and skincare products.
Astrud Celina Fernandez is the person behind Wicked Moon Kombucha, a line of probiotic drinks.
Wicked Moon’s kombucha comes in different flavors and each bottle is ultra pasteurized. It takes Fernandez three weeks to concoct a batch of kombucha. She uses only organic loose leaf tea, purified water and cane sugar in her drinks.
A very popular probiotic drink is Yakult, which has the Lactobacillus Shirota bacterial strain. Yogurt is also a popular choice.
So what can probiotics do, healthwise and beauty-wise?
Aside from improving gut health, probiotics are believed to have antiaging and anti-inflammatory benefits. It can also reportedly help strengthen the skin barrier and restore scalp health when products are applied topically.
Fernandez makes her own toner, a concoction of kombucha and rose water to which she has added vitamin E and aloe vera.
Among the beauty brands that have added probiotics to their products are Neogen (serum), Elemis (resurfacing pads), Tom’s of Maine (bar soap) and Aveeno (moisturizing cream).
Prebiotics, on the other hand, are nondigestible plant fibers that help friendly bacteria grow in your gut. Prebiotics can be naturally found in many foods like green vegetables, apples, leeks, onions, berries and flaxseed.
Prebiotics can also be added to bread, cereal, baby food, yogurt and yogurt drinks.
Pacific Synergy Food & Beverage Corp., which owns a popular purified water brand (Sip), recently sealed a partnership deal with Dydo Drinco Malaysia for exclusive distributorship of Vida C Sparkling Drink and Yobick Prebiotic yogurt drink in the Philippine market. Vida C is a sparkling drink with 1000mg vitamin C content and minimal sugar.
Yobick is an authentic Japanese lowfat yogurt brand that contains prebiotics. This drink has the tartness one looks for in a yoghurt drink and a pleasingly light, refreshing flavor.
“We all know how the pandemic has driven people to live a healthier lifestyle. We see more people taking in more supplements, eating healthier food and being more active despite being locked-in at home. Yobick is a prebiotic drink that, besides boosting immune system, helps with preventing constipation, reducing cholesterol and lipid and increasing mineral absorption,” said Charles Stewart Lee, president of Pacific Synergy.
Prebiotic is now being added to skin care. La Roche-posay Lipikar Lotion Daily Repair Moisturizing Lotion contains prebiotic thermal water to soothe and hydrate skin. Virtue Topical Scalp Supplement also has prebiotic to help soothe the scalp and promote hair growth.
Probiotics help to support our gut health, immune function and overall wellness. Prebiotic foods are also essential for digestive health because they nourish your beneficial microbes. Probiotics and prebiotic foods have a synergistic relationship.
The belief that “a yogurt a day keeps gut problems away” has extended to the beauty industry and microbiome skin care is not just a thing with indie brands but even luxury products.