Bottom Line/HEALTH:What’s the difference between prebiotics and probiotics?
Andrew Rubman, ND:Probiotics are the bacteria that we want to have living in our gut. Not maybe the most populous, but the ones that have the greatest sway over human health. Prebiotics are the foods that the bacteria like to eat.
Bottom Line Got it. And what kind of food in particular do the bacteria like to feed on?
Dr. Rubman:Oh, they love pectin. Fruit is a good source of pectin.
Bottom Line:All right, so fruits are best. How about vegetables?
Dr. Rubman:Vegetables have a certain amount of pectin as well. I think the important takeaway is there’s no real good substitute for a healthy diet.
Bottom Line:All right. Thank you, Dr. Rubman.