What does science say about biotics?
In the field of biotics and the microbiome, postbiotics represent a new avenue for improving health, offering a wide range of potential benefits for the intestines, immune system, and overall well-being.
You have probably heard of probiotics and prebiotics, the stars of the digestive world. But there is another group of compounds that deserves close attention – postbiotics. These have been in the spotlight for a relatively short time, but scientists believe they are also vital for our health.
What are postbiotics and how do they work?
In simple terms, postbiotics are by-products of the digestive process in the intestine. We can think of probiotics as the “good” intestinal bacteria and prebiotics as their “food” (mostly fibre). When probiotics “eat” prebiotics, postbiotics are produced. These are bioactive compounds that provide various health benefits. They are associated with a number of beneficial effects on the gut, the immune system, and various other aspects of health. They strengthen the immune system, improve digestive processes (helping the body to optimise the breakdown and absorption of nutrients), reduce inflammatory processes in the gut, protect the intestinal barrier (which prevents the entry of harmful substances into the body,) and contribute to overall well-being.
Many of the health benefits associated with prebiotics and probiotics are actually due to the production of postbiotics.
Numerous studies have clearly shown that an unbalanced diet and a sedentary lifestyle directly impact the health of the digestive system, in particular by upsetting the balance of the gut microbiota, resulting in impaired digestion and poorer absorption of nutrients. Therefore, your everyday diet should contain as many sources as possible of those substances that support digestive health. Variety, moderation and combining whole foods are the cornerstones of a good diet that contributes to normal digestive function.
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