Postbiotic Trends

Pre- and probiotics have been important aspects of specialized healthy diets for years now. Recent postbiotic research has provided data that may indicate they will be just as important as pre-and postbiotics in the not-so-distant future.

Postbiotics are the ‘good’ waste products produced by probiotic bacteria. Postbiotics don’t require special storage (refrigeration) like probiotics, as they are stable byproducts. Not needing specialized storage conditions means postbiotics are easier to transport and, therefore, to buy.

Postbiotic Research

Research into postbiotics has only recently started to pick up steam. There are very few postbiotic products available to consumers, most of which are difficult to find because of this.

Large research laboratories, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and general health companies have started to look into postbiotic products. For example, Cargill Pharmaceuticals recently released a postbiotic supplement that delivers postbiotics straight to the gut. More supplements will likely follow as research and development speed up.

On the consumer end, many researchers are now investigating labs to see whether a person can improve the production of postbiotics in their gut by eating specific foods. Fermented foods like kimchi and sauerkraut are currently at the top of the list.

Postbiotic Definition

Earlier this year, the ISAPP (International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics) gave an official definition of the word ‘postbiotic.’ This was important due to the fact that it increases awareness of postbiotics-the ISAPP now considers them important for research.

However, the ISAPP made the definition more specific than many companies and consumers have been using, and indicate that products should show that their ingredients can deliver a health benefit in order to be called a postbiotic.

Postbiotics may eventually emerge as another functional supplement to take for a healthy gut microbiome. Supplementing existing pre-and probiotics with postbiotic products will be a major focus of dietary research for the foreseeable future.

Research at Biofortis

Biofortis is dedicated to protecting consumer health throughout the world by delivering a wide range of testing and consultancy services to the food, supplement, and nutrition industries. Biofortis supports this mission in two ways—through clinical trials and sensory and consumer insights testing. We specialize in clinical research targeting foods, ingredients, and dietary supplements that affect body structures, function, and overall health. Contact us with any clinical trial or scientific consulting needs.