Current Probiotics - Current Issue

The definition and comprehension of prebiotics have undergone a substantial transformation over the years, culminating in a consensus in 2016 among an expert panel from the International Scientist Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP). This revision suggests that prebiotics are substances that promote the growth of probiotics, thereby benefitting the health of the host. These substances are no longer restricted to dietary carbohydrates and have expanded to include bioactive compounds such as polyphenols. The objective of this review is to offer a thorough examination of carbohydrate-based prebiotics (e.g., FOS, GOS, Inulin), their natural modulation, herbal interventions, microbial-based substances, and their influence on gut health. Additionally, it will investigate their association with the Indian traditional medicinal system. A review was conducted to identify and analyze studies related to prebiotics, including their categories, commercial availability, and applications. The investigation was expanded to encompass the interactions between the intestinal microbiome, diet, epigenetics, and the mechanism of action of prebiotics. The relationship between prebiotics and the Indian traditional medicinal system, emergent dietary inventions, and microbial products such as synbiotics, postbiotics, and para-probiotics that have demonstrated potential in gut health management with minimal side effects were all given special attention. The review emphasizes novel discoveries, including the integration of a variety of dietary interventions and microbial products into digestive health management, as well as the role of bioactive compounds (e.g., polyphenols) as potential prebiotics. Additionally, the review emphasizes the potential synergistic benefits and compatibility of integrating contemporary prebiotic research with practices from the Ayurvedic medicinal system. The increased understanding of prebiotics, which extends beyond dietary carbohydrates to encompass a variety of bioactive compounds, creates new opportunities for research and implementation in the management of integrative gut health. This review has identified herbal interventions and microbial products as promising frontiers for future research. The integration of these discoveries into therapeutic interventions and consumer products has the potential to significantly increase health outcomes with minimal side effects, thereby representing a significant advancement in the field of gut health research.