The key difference between fiber and probiotics is that fiber is a macronutrient composed of nondigestible carbohydrates and lignin that promotes the overall health of the host when consumed, while probiotics are live bacteria that promote the overall health of the host when consumed.
Fiber and probiotics are two important additions to a healthy diet. Together, they can create a powerhouse of health benefits for humans. Fiber is an indigestible substance found in carbohydrates, such as whole grains, nuts, seeds, beans, vegetables, and fruits. Fiber is a facilitator of the digestive process, and probiotics create a healthy gut environment. Probiotics are live bacteria that promote gut health when consumed. They can be gained from yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh, kimchi, miso, kombucha, pickles, traditional buttermilk, natto, some types of cheese, etc.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Fiber
3. What are Probiotics
4. Similarities – Fiber and Probiotics
5. Fiber vs Probiotics in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Fiber vs Probiotics
What is Fiber?
Fiber is a macronutrient that consists of nondigestible carbohydrates and lignin. It is also known as dietary fiber and roughage. It promotes the overall health of the host when consumed. It is a portion of plant-derived food that cannot be digested by human digestive enzymes. Dietary fibers are diverse in chemical composition. They can be classified based on solubility, viscosity, and fermentability. Dietary fiber has two main components: soluble fiber and insoluble fiber. Moreover, dietary fibers are components of plant foods such as legumes, whole grains, cereals, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
Figure 01: Fiber
The advantages of consuming fiber depend on which type of fiber is consumed. Bulking fibers like cellulose and hemicelluloses absorb and hold water and promote regularity. Viscous fibers such as beta-glucan and psyllium thicken fecal mass. Fermentable fibers (soluble) such as resistant starch, xantham gum, and inulin feed gut bacteria of the large intestine and metabolize them to yield short-chain fatty acids. Short-chain fatty acids have diverse roles in gastrointestinal health.
What are Probiotics?
Probiotics are live bacteria that promote the overall health of the host when eaten. It is claimed that probiotics generally improve or restore gut flora. They can be obtained from foods such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh, kimchi, miso, kombucha, pickles, traditional buttermilk, natto, some types of cheese, etc. The first probiotic was a certain strain of bacillus in Bulgarian yogurt in 1905. This discovery was made by Bulgarian physician and microbiologist Stamen Grigorov.
Figure 02: Probiotics
Probiotics help the host in different ways, including helping the body to digest food, keeping bad bacteria from getting out of control and making people sick, creating vitamins, and supporting the cells that line the gut to prevent bad bacteria that may have been consumed, breakdown and absorption of medications. They are believed to prevent gastrointestinal discomfort, improve immune health, relieve constipation, or avoid the common cold. Furthermore, probiotics are generally safe to consume, but some rare side effects of consuming them include a temporary increase in gas, bloating, constipation, and thirst.
What are the Similarities Between Fiber and Probiotics?
- Fiber and probiotics are two important additions to a healthy diet in humans.
- Together, they can create a powerhouse of health benefits for humans.
- Soluble fiber and probiotics together yield short-chain fatty acids that have diverse roles in gastrointestinal health.
- Both are extremely important to live longer.
- However, they may have rare side effects.
What is the Difference Between Fiber and Probiotics?
Fiber is a macronutrient composed of nondigestible carbohydrates and lignin that promotes the overall health of the host when consumed, while probiotics are live bacteria that promote the overall health of the host when consumed. Thus, this is the key difference between fiber and probiotics. Furthermore, fiber is an indigestible portion of plant-derived food, while probiotics are live microorganisms.
The below infographic presents the differences between fiber and probiotics in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Fiber vs Probiotics
Fiber and probiotics are two important additions to a healthy diet in humans. Fiber is also known as prebiotics. Together, they can create a powerhouse of health benefits for humans. Fiber and probiotics help people live longer as well. Fiber is a plant-derived macronutrient composed of nondigestible carbohydrates and lignin. Fiber promotes the overall health of the host when consumed. Probiotics are live bacteria that promote the overall health of the host when consumed. So, this summarizes the difference between fiber and probiotics.
Reference:
1. “Fiber.” The Nutrition Source.
2. “What Are Probiotics? Probiotic Supplements, Foods, Uses, Benefits, and Safety.” WebMD.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Probiotic” By Rachelshoemaker – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “High Fibre Foods” By formulate health – (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia