Prebiotics vs Probiotics: What's the Difference, and Where Does Fibre Fit?

Prebiotics, probiotics, fibre. They're all over supplement labels and gut health posts, often in the same sentence, and it's easy to assume they're all the same thing. They're not.

Here's what each one actually is, where you'll find them in everyday food, and where a fibre supplement like YAAY fits in.

What are probiotics?

Probiotics are the "good" bacteria that live in your gut. According to healthdirect, they're found naturally in fermented foods and some dairy products.

Good food sources include:

• yoghurt and kefir
• sauerkraut and kimchi
• miso
• pickles
• kombucha

What are prebiotics?

Prebiotics are food for those good bacteria. They're types of fibre your body can't digest on its own, so they travel through to your large bowel, where your gut bacteria break them down and use them to grow.

Healthdirect lists high-fibre foods as the main sources:

• fruit and vegetables
• legumes like chickpeas, lentils, kidney beans and baked beans
• nuts and seeds

Onions, garlic, leeks, asparagus, oats and slightly green bananas are commonly included too.

Prebiotics vs probiotics: the short version

• Probiotics are the bacteria.
• Prebiotics are what the bacteria eat.

You need both, and the easiest way to get them is a varied diet with plenty of plants and some fermented foods.

Where does fibre fit in?

All prebiotics are fibre, but not all fibre is a prebiotic. Different fibres do different jobs:

• Fermentable fibres, like the inulin in onions, garlic and chicory root, are broken down by your gut bacteria. These are the classic prebiotics.
• Gel-forming fibres, like psyllium husk, hold onto water and keep stools soft and easy to pass.

If you're comparing fibre supplements, our Fibre Supplement Comparison Guide goes through the main types.

Is psyllium husk a prebiotic?

Not in the classic sense, and that's actually the point. Research on psyllium has found that the gel-forming part of the husk is poorly fermented by gut bacteria. That's the part responsible for its effect on regularity.

Because it isn't broken down along the way, it keeps holding water all the way through your bowel. That's what helps keep stools soft, formed and easy to pass. If you want the full rundown, here's what psyllium husk is and how it works.

So a sensible gut health routine covers all three: plants for prebiotics, fermented foods for probiotics, and enough fibre overall to keep things moving. That's around 25g a day for women and 30g for men, according to Australian guidelines.

Where YAAY fits

YAAY isn't a probiotic or a prebiotic supplement, and we won't pretend it is. It's a daily fibre supplement built on psyllium husk, with 667.8mg in every capsule, plus aloe vera for slip and moisture. There's nothing else in it: no sugar, sweeteners, flavours, colours, preservatives or fillers.

It's the part of your routine that covers the fibre gap, especially on days when your diet doesn't. Most people take 3 or 4 capsules a day with a big glass of water. If you want to know whether it's working, here's what a healthy poo looks like.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between prebiotics and probiotics?

Probiotics are the beneficial bacteria that live in your gut. Prebiotics are types of fibre that feed those bacteria. You'll find probiotics in fermented foods like yoghurt and sauerkraut, and prebiotics in high-fibre foods like legumes, fruit and vegetables.

Should I take prebiotics and probiotics together?

For most people, the simplest approach is food: a varied diet with plenty of plants and some fermented foods covers both. If you're considering a supplement for a specific health reason, talk to your GP or pharmacist.

Is psyllium husk a prebiotic?

Not in the classic sense. The gel-forming part of psyllium is poorly fermented by gut bacteria, so instead of feeding them, it holds water through your bowel and helps keep stools soft and easy to pass.

Is fibre the same as a prebiotic?

All prebiotics are fibre, but not all fibre is a prebiotic. Some fibres are fermented by gut bacteria, and others, like psyllium, mainly work by holding water and adding bulk.

What foods are high in prebiotics?

Legumes like chickpeas and lentils, fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Onions, garlic, leeks, asparagus, oats and slightly green bananas are commonly listed too.

Try YAAY

Eat your plants, enjoy your fermented foods, and let YAAY cover the fibre. Try YAAY More Than Fibre Capsules, with your first order covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee.