English Language & Literature — CBSE Class 10 board question

(1) The words probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics may sound like variations of the same thing, but what a difference a prefix makes. The first is a category of health-promoting microbes. The latter two groups are types of beneficial molecules. But all three biotics are critical for supporting the community of microscopic organisms that live in the gastrointestinal tract, known as the gut microbiome. With both beneficial and harmful bacteria living in the human body, these diet-related factors — the biotics — help tip the balance in the positive direction. It is important to understand their differences, as even as they work together. (2) Despite their importance for the gut microbiome, the health benefits of these biotics, which are present in certain foods or result from their metabolism, extend beyond the digestive tract. A growing body of scientific evidence has linked prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics, with improvements in metabolic diseases — including obesity and cholesterol abnormalities — depressive symptoms and poor sleep quality, among many other conditions. (3) Besides promoting general gut health, consuming food rich in probiotics can improve irritable bowel syndrome and antibiotic-related diarrhea, prevent travel-related illness, synthesize vitamins and increase nutrient absorption, and decrease the risk of common infections. In fact, when consumed regularly, probiotics have been found to reduce the occurrence of upper respiratory tract infections (like the common cold). (4) Many different types of beneficial bacteria are considered probiotics. The most common ones include Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, of which there are many strains, each with different health benefits, to match what it is you are looking for, says Gregor Reid. Many different types of beneficial bacteria are considered probiotics. (5) Some foods, such as yogurt, kefir, kimchee, and fermented soybeans and kombucha naturally contain probiotics. But things can get complicated: not all fermented foods or yogurts contain probiotics, Reid says. As a consumer, a good starting point is to look for the label to check if specific strains of bacteria are listed. (6) Simply put, prebiotics are sources of food for those beneficial microbes — the probiotics. They are typically a form of carbohydrate or fiber that humans are unable to digest. As a result, they move through the digestive tract to the intestine, where beneficial bacteria (probiotics) can feast on them. (7) When you consume foods that are rich in probiotics and prebiotics, the microbes in your gut consume the undigestible prebiotic fiber and produce bioactive compounds called postbiotics. They are ultimately the endgame that we want — they affect how our gut operates and keeps the good bacteria there and the bad bacteria out.