Evidence-backed FAQ
What is the difference between prebiotics and probiotics?
Direct answer
Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer a health benefit when administered in adequate amounts. Prebiotics are substrates selectively used by host microorganisms to confer a health benefit.[1], [2]
What the evidence shows
A product combining a probiotic and a prebiotic is called a synbiotic. These are scientific definitions, not proof that every product produces a benefit.[1], [2]
Important limitations
The definitions do not establish a specific outcome for any product, strain, or substrate without product-specific evidence.[1], [2]
Related questions
- Are prebiotics live microorganisms?
- What is a synbiotic?
Read the full evidence summary
This FAQ is the concise answer. The linked research page provides the full study context, populations, doses, outcomes, and limitations.
References
- Expert consensus document. The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics consensus statement on the scope and appropriate use of the term probiotic. Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 2014. Expert consensus statement View source →
- Expert consensus document: The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) consensus statement on the definition and scope of prebiotics.. Nature reviews. Gastroenterology & hepatology. 2017. Expert consensus statement View source →