A new framework has been created for the definition of prebiotics

The concept of prebiotics – defined as substrates selectively utilized by host microorganisms that confer a health benefit – was introduced to the scientific community nearly 30 years ago. Today, prebiotics have gained significant attention as potential ways to enhance health through the gut microbiota. But given the rapid recent expansion of high-resolution microbiome research technologies and scientists’ growing understanding of the ways in which dietary compounds and nutrients can affect the microbiome, confusion has arisen for scientists and consumers about which substances have genuine prebiotic effects.

Now a team of eight leading international scientists has developed a comprehensive framework outlining the criteria for determining the status of prebiotics, providing much-needed clarity to this evolving field. This new expert recommendation, published in Nature Reviews Gastroenterology and Hepatologyaddresses the key challenges associated with the scientific documentation of prebiotics and offers practical guidance for the accurate identification of prebiotics and the evaluation of their health effects. The publication resulted from collaborations coordinated through the International Scientific Association of Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

The authors detail a clear scientific pathway for proving prebiotic effects, emphasizing that prebiotics must meet several key criteria. First and foremost, a prebiotic must be a well-characterized substance that provides a measurable health benefit. In addition, it must be selectively used by host microorganisms, show measurable effects on microbiome composition or function, have a plausible mechanism linking microbiome changes to the observed health benefit, and be safe for its intended use. . Importantly, at least one study in the target host is required to simultaneously demonstrate microbiome modulation and health benefit.

Two of the most important challenges addressed in the paper are the validation of selectivity within the complexity of the microbial ecosystem response to a probiotic intervention, as well as methods to delineate the mediation of health benefits through microbiome-based mechanisms.

The authors say that over time they hope that regulatory and commercial approaches to prebiotics will increasingly align with the scientific criteria they have established.

The criteria provide a basis for understanding what prebiotics are and how to document them, which is essential for the future field. Our hope is that scientists around the world will adopt a unified approach to demonstrating the prebiotic status of an ingredient, which will promote clarity and support informed decision-making about prebiotic products.”

Prof. Robert Hutkins, lead author, University of Nebraska