The concept of prebiotics – defined as substrates that are selectively utilized by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit – was introduced in the scientific community nearly 30 years ago. Today, prebiotic substances have gained significant attention as potential ways to enhance health through the gut microbiota. But given the rapid recent expansion in high resolution microbiome research technologies, and scientists' growing understanding of the ways dietary compounds and nutrients might impact the microbiome, confusion for scientists and consumers has emerged around which substances have genuine prebiotic effects.
Now a group of eight leading international scientists has developed a comprehensive framework that outlines the criteria for establishing prebiotic status, providing much-needed clarity in this evolving field. This new expert recommendation, published in Nature Reviews Gastroenterology and Hepatology , addresses the key challenges related to scientific substantiation of prebiotics and offers practical guidelines for accurately identifying prebiotics and assessing their health effects. The publication resulted from collaborations coordinated through the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).
The authors detail a clear scientific pathway for demonstrating prebiotic effects, emphasizing that prebiotics must meet several essential criteria. First and foremost, a prebiotic must be a well-characterized substance that provi.