10 Best Prebiotics 2024 in the United States

We hear a lot about the importance of dietary fiber, and how important it is maintaining proper digestion. This is especially true in Western countries, where the lifestyle is so fast-paced--and there is more of a tendency to just grab something to eat. And that “something” is usually highly-processed food, high in sugar and/or white flour, and thus low in fiber.  Prebiotics are a type of dietary fiber, usually in the form of long-chain sugars, that are naturally found in fruits and vegetables. (This is as opposed to the familiar white sugar, which is a simple sugar that is digested quickly, giving you a “sugar rush”.) Prebiotics go through the small intestine without getting digested--but when they reach the large intestine, they stimulate growth of beneficial bacteria, known as probiotics, in your digestive system. You can take probiotic supplements--but if they are nourished properly with prebiotics, the probiotics will multiply in numbers far greater and much faster than what you can consume in foods and supplements.

When you have a proper amount of these beneficial bacteria in your digestive system, it will prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. Also, a good amount of probiotics in your large intestine will relieve digestive problems, like diarrhea and constipation. Adding prebiotics to your diet will ensure that these probiotic organisms will have the proper nutrients to populate the gut. You’ll see many dietary supplements on the market that will contain both prebiotics and probiotics in their formula, for increased benefit. But, we should get familiar with the types of prebiotics, and the benefit of each type.

We’ve composed this buyer’s guide to help you make the right decision when selecting a prebiotic dietary supplement. It'll help you:

• Choose the right type of prebiotic dietary supplement,

• See useful tips about that type of prebiotic dietary supplement,

• Read reviews of different brands of prebiotic dietary supplements, and what customers are saying,

• Select the right brand of prebiotic dietary supplement, and

• Compare prices and find the best deals.

Among the many types of prebiotic supplements on the market, you’ll see the following main ingredients in the prebiotic formula:

• Xylooligosaccharides (= XOS)--These are beneficial in assisting the growth of bifidobacteria and other lactic acid bacteria.

• Galactooligosaccharides (= GOS)--This is a long chain of galactose molecules, which ends up helping the probiotic cultures bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. It can also have an antibiotic effect, keeping harmful bacteria such as salmonella or botulism.

• Fructooligosaccharides (= FOS)--This is familiar as a sugar substitute, which also has the advantage of aiding calcium absorption, which can strengthen bones and teeth. But it also aids the growth of the probiotic Bifidobacteria.

• Oligofructose-Enriched-Inulin (= OEI)--This is a prebiotic derived from chicory root. Oligofructose benefits the bacteria in the right side of the colon, while Inulin is a slow-fermenting compound that benefits the bacteria on the left side of the colon. So, taking the two together will benefit the entire length of the colon. This is the main ingredient in Prebiotin Prebiotic Fiber Powder, as well as many other products. It also can be found naturally in asparagus, garlic, onions, leeks, and yams.

Here are some of the things reviewers mentioned about prebiotic formulas:

• Best together with probiotics: Prebiotics largely go through the small intestine without being digested--most of their benefit is how they help the probiotic bacteria. So, the best products are those that combine both prebiotics and probiotics in one supplement. Jarrow Formula’s Prebiotics have both XOS and GOS, but require another supplement to increase the probiotics in your system.

• Shelf life: Check if your prebiotic needs refrigeration. The Earth’s Pearl Probiotic has a shelf life of 18 months without refrigeration if the temperature in your house is around 70 ℉. But you might want to refrigerate the product to extend the life of the product.

• Helps regulate blood sugar levels: Prebiotics are soluble dietary fibers, meaning that they dissolve in water to form a type of gel--this has the advantage of making you feel full longer, and also keeps your blood sugar level from skyrocketing, as is common when consuming simple white sugar.

• Products for children: There are supplements that are suitable for children, such as the Fiber Gummies Sugar-Free Prebiotic Supplement for Kids. You can find them apple- or orange-flavored--children won’t know the difference between a supplement and a treat!

• Other health benefits of prebiotics: Besides aiding digestion and preventing constipation and diarrhea, studies have shown that a prebiotic has the following advantages:

  • Boosting the immune system by eliminating unwanted flora from the gut,

  • Reduce the risk of heart disease by eliminating free radicals and blood cholesterol,

  • Assist calcium uptake, and thus lead to stronger bones, and

  • Help reduce appetite and thus aid weight loss (or weight control).

• Price per dosage: It’s wise to take note of the cost per serving of the supplement. For example, the Prebiotin Prebiotic Fiber Powder comes in a 240-gram jar, which is 60 4-gram doses. It is recommended to take 1-2 scoops of the powder daily, adding it to food or drink. It comes out to $0.70 per serving.

• Units of probiotics and dosage: As we mentioned, prebiotics will often be combined with probiotic bacteria. You’ll see the dosages of probiotics listed as “CFUs”. This stands for “Colony Forming Units”, and tells how many live bacteria are in a serving of the probiotic supplement. A person with a healthy immune system can take up to 30 billion CFUs a day, but exceeding that number might give minor discomforts, such as a bloated feeling or intestinal gas. But people who have immunosuppressed conditions or diabetes should only take these supplements with the advice of a doctor. Also, since many of these cultures are milk-derived, people with allergies to milk should only take probiotics after consulting a doctor.

• Side-effects when starting taking prebiotics: When you start taking prebiotics, it may cause a bloated feeling. This is because it will be a food source for gas-producing bacteria in the intestine. It is, therefore, best to start out slowly, not taking too much of the supplement at any one time.

• Prebiotin--is a product marketed by Jackson GI Medical, which is a supplement that can relieve and even eliminate intestinal diseases and conditions that stem from a lack of dietary fiber. The company was founded in 2007 by Dr. Frank W. Jackson, an experienced gastroenterologist. Their supplements focus on OEI (= Oligofructose-Enriched-Inulin) derived from chicory root. Their formula comes in powder form, as well as in the form of convenient sticks. They also make supplements that promote heart health, bone health, and weight management.

• Earth’s Pearl--was founded by Chris Jorgensen of Central Point, Oregon, who experimented with an organic vegan diet after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. The company makes a line of probiotics, many of which are geared towards weight loss, but which also aid in hormonal balance and a healthy metabolism. Their probiotic supplements also contain fructo-oligosaccharides.

• BeLive--was founded in 2017 as makers of dietary supplements for weight loss, sexual wellness, bone and teeth health, and probiotics. Their Fiber Gummies are recommended for both children and adults, containing inulin and chicory root to provide prebiotics. The product should be taken with their Probiotics gummies, which contain 2.5-5 billion CFU of bacillus coagulans bacteria.

• Jarrow--is located in Los Angeles, California, and was founded in  1977. They make vitamins, minerals, probiotics, herbal concentrates, amino acids, enzymes, and more. Their products undergo clinical studies and are composed in tandem with researchers. They have a wide range of probiotics and prebiotic formulas for men, women, and children.

• Olympian Labs--was founded in 1992 with the aim of preparing high-quality health supplements--originally for bodybuilders. They offer a prebiotic and probiotic compound which contains 6 different strains of bacteria, as well as fructooligosaccharides. They have their headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona.