What Are Prebiotics?
Prebiotics don't get the same attention as probiotics, but they're arguably just as important — they're what your beneficial gut bacteria actually eat.
The basic definition
Prebiotics are types of fiber and other compounds that your body can't digest itself, but that beneficial bacteria in your gut can ferment and use as fuel. Rather than adding new bacteria to your gut (that's what probiotics do), prebiotics feed and support the beneficial bacteria you already have.
When gut bacteria ferment prebiotic fiber, one of the byproducts is short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) — compounds linked to gut lining health and a well-functioning digestive system.
The prebiotics in Gutshot
Gutshot's formula uses two complementary prebiotic sources:
- Bimuno — a galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) prebiotic studied for supporting Bifidobacteria growth in the gut.
- PHGG (Sunfiber) — partially hydrolyzed guar gum, a soluble fiber studied for its role in stool consistency and SCFA production, including research into reducing traveler's diarrhea risk.
Together, these are two of the three pillars of Gutshot's formula, alongside postbiotics and collagen peptides. Full ingredient and research detail is on the science page.
Prebiotics vs. probiotics vs. postbiotics
These three terms get confused constantly. In short: probiotics are live bacteria, prebiotics are the food that feeds bacteria (live or otherwise), and postbiotics are compounds produced by or derived from bacteria. See the full comparison for a side-by-side breakdown.