The two words look almost identical, which is why they get mixed up constantly. The difference is actually simple.
Probiotics = the bacteria
Probiotics are the live, friendly bacteria themselves — the kind found in foods like yoghurt, curd, and fermented foods. Think of them as adding helpful residents to your gut.
Prebiotics = the food for those bacteria
Prebiotics are specific fibres your body can’t digest but your good gut bacteria can. They’re essentially food for the friendly bacteria already living in you, helping them thrive. Common prebiotic fibres include inulin, FOS (fructo-oligosaccharides) and resistant dextrin.
How they work together
Probiotics add good bacteria; prebiotics feed them. You get benefit from both — but prebiotic fibre has a quiet advantage: instead of adding new bacteria, it nourishes the diverse community your gut has already built.
Where to find prebiotics
- Onion, garlic and leeks
- Bananas (especially slightly under-ripe)
- Oats, barley and legumes
- A prebiotic fibre drink, if your daily intake is low
Too Gutsy uses a triple prebiotic blend — resistant dextrin, inulin and FOS — so a single daily glass helps feed your gut’s good bacteria, without added sugar.