Do you know who the researchers who first described the concept of synbiotics are? 🤔 👉 Synbiotic is a well known scientific term, just like probiotics and prebiotics. "By combining the rationale of pro- and prebiotics, the concept of synbiotics is proposed to characterize some colonic foods with interesting nutritional properties that make these compounds candidates for classification as health-enhancing functional food ingredients". Different researchers from all over the world are researching about synbiotics, its effects and benefits to gut health, and today there are almost 1000 scientific articles published in this subject - a number that is expected to grow even more in the coming years. We had the honor to talk with Prof Glenn Gibson, Professor of Food Microbiolgy, Head of Food Microbial Sciences at the University of Reading (UK), who published the first scientific article in the literature about synbiotics and prebiotics in 1995, coining both concepts together with Prof Marcel Roberfroid.👨🔬👨🔬
- What are synbiotics?
🔬Prof Glenn Gibson: ”They are a merge of positive microbes and substrates for their growth. They can act together or independently to improve health. The name was coined at the same time as prebiotics. A useful synbiotic is a probiotic and prebiotic mixture". - Do you have any special tips about how can people improve their gut health?
🔬Prof Glenn Gibson: ”Prebiotic containing foods include, for example, banana, garlic, onion, artichoke, asparagus, leek, etc. You can also look at supplements of pro-, pre- and synbiotics. As we understand more about the role of our microbiome on health and disease, it becomes clearer that these interventions have much relevance".
Interesting huh?
That's what Synbiotic Kitchen is all about: We are bringing science to the kitchen and connecting you with the leading researchers in the field of Human Microbiome not only in Sweden but in the world. We are accelerating the knowledge in this so important field of knowledge into our society, for a healthier and sustainable future.🌏🌍🌎 Are you curious to know the latest news about microbiome science? Join our Gut Gang! Its time for the GUT REVOLUTION! 💥 🔬
Reference:
Gibson GR, Roberfroid MB, 1995. Dietary modulation of the human colonic microbiota: introducing the concept of prebiotics. J Nutr. Jun;125(6):1401-12.