MODULATING GUT MICROBIOTA HOMEOSTASIS: SYNERGISTIC IMPACTS OF PROBIOTICS, PREBIOTICS, AND SYNBIOTICS ON INTESTINAL MICROBIAL BALANCE AND HEALTH OUTCOMES

Abstract

Functional foods are an essential part of contemporary diets, and it is evident that these foods contain health benefits in addition to the familiar nutritional effects. Probiotics and prebiotics together are referred to as synbiotics and are presently the most popular functional food ingredients. The most commonly used probiotic strains are Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Saccharomyces boulardii, and B. coagulans. Some of the most used fibers are galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), xylose-oligosaccharides (XOS), inulin, and fructans, when blended with probiotics, are referred to as synbiotics and are efficient in provoking the growth of the bacteria.