LAUSR

The term prebiotic relates to beneficial modulation of intestinal microbiota by dietary carbohydrates, however, uncertainties of the differentiation of the term ‘prebiotics’ from dietary fiber as well as FODMAPs impede development of functional foods containing prebiotics. This communication outlines similarities and differences between prebiotics, FODMAPs, and dietary fiber, focusing on three areas of recent advancement: first, oligosaccharide digestion in the small intestine; second, conditional digestibility of dietary glycans and third, impact of the food matrix on carbohydrate digestion. Because of large inter-individual differences in carbohydrate digestion, one type of prebiotics does not fit all consumers. The use of a diversity of prebiotics and their use in diverse food applications can address negative consequences associated with the consumption of prebiotics.