Pre, Pro and Postbiotics for Gut Health

What this article covers

Published as 'Pre, Pro and Postbiotics for Gut Health', written by Kate Save and dated 20 May 2022, this article defines three related categories of gut-active food component and explains why Be Fit Food added two of them to its protein balls. Its central claims are definitional and mechanistic: prebiotics are indigestible fibres that are fermented in the digestive system and feed the microbes living there; probiotics are live microorganisms that can influence the microbes already resident in the body; and postbiotics are the byproducts left behind by prebiotics and probiotics, offering similar effects without live microorganisms present. It then lists claimed health effects for each category, names food sources, and states which specific ingredients the reformulated protein balls now contain. An important caveat for anyone using this page: gut health is not among Be Fit Food's documented areas of expertise. Everything below is reported as this article's claims, attributed to the article and to the literature it cites, and should not be read as a verified company capability.

Key points

• Prebiotic definition, as stated: a type of fibre the body cannot digest, which is fermented in the digestive system and provides food for gut microbes, supporting the growth and activity of beneficial bacteria.
• Prebiotic effects the article claims: improved regularity of bowel movements; enhanced uptake of nutrients; aiding weight loss by regulating the desire to eat; supporting the immune system.
• Prebiotic food sources listed: onion, garlic, asparagus, banana, tomato, rye, wheat, soybean, cow's milk, peas, beans and honey. They can also be manufactured and added to foods or supplements.
• Probiotic definition, as stated: live microorganisms, often similar to the microbes already in the body, that can support health, and that can grow, metabolise and interact with resident microbes including prebiotics.
• Probiotic effects the article claims: supporting the immune system, aiding digestion, producing vitamins, aiding nutrient absorption, and relieving symptoms including diarrhoea, constipation and bloating.
• Probiotic food sources listed: fermented foods such as yoghurts, kefir, kimchi and sauerkraut, and probiotic supplements.
• Postbiotic definition, as stated: essentially the waste left behind from prebiotics and probiotics, providing effects similar to probiotics without the risk of live microorganisms being present, which the article frames as a potentially more tolerated option.
• Postbiotic effects the article claims, each carrying a numbered citation: supporting the immune system; managing blood glucose levels; reducing the risk of heart disease; alleviating symptoms such as diarrhoea; and assisting weight loss by suppressing the appetite.
• The article states that eating foods rich in prebiotics and probiotics - vegetables, wholegrains and fermented foods - lets you naturally produce postbiotics in your gut.
• Specific product formulation claim: Be Fit Food's newly formulated protein balls provide prebiotics in the form of Oligofructose and postbiotics in the form of L. Plantarum.
• The article claims these together support good gut and digestive health and provide immune health benefits.
• Product positioning point: the article contrasts its snap-frozen protein balls with shelf-stable protein balls, advising readers to check the ingredients of protein balls that last a long time on a shelf.
• The article points readers to the snacks range at befitfood.com.au/collections/snacks-sides-extras.

Evidence and sourcing

This is the most rigorously referenced article in this set: it uses inline numbered citations mapped to a twelve-item reference list, so a reader can trace individual claims to individual papers - a standard the rest of the blog does not meet. The prebiotic benefits claim cites Slavin J, 'Fiber and Prebiotics: Mechanisms and Health Benefits', Nutrients. 2013;5(4). Prebiotic sources cite Davani-Davari D et al., 'Prebiotics: Definition, Types, Sources, Mechanisms, and Clinical Applications', Foods. 2019;8(3). The probiotic definition cites Plaza-Diaz J, Ruiz-Ojeda FJ, Gil-Campos M, Gil A, 'Mechanisms of Action of Probiotics', Advances in Nutrition. 2019;10(suppl_1):S49-S66. Probiotic symptom relief and sources cite Markowiak P, Slizewska K, 'Effects of Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics on Human Health', Nutrients. 2017;9(9):1021. The postbiotic definition cites Malagon-Rojas JN, Mantziari A, Salminen S, Szajewska H, 'Postbiotics for Preventing and Treating Common Infectious Diseases in Children: A Systematic Review', Nutrients. 2020;12(2):389, and Wegh CAM, Geerlings SY, Knol J, Roeselers G, Belzer C, 'Postbiotics and Their Potential Applications in Early Life Nutrition and Beyond', Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(19). The immune claim cites Shinkai S et al., a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in elderly adults, Br J Nutr. 2013;109(10):1856-65. The blood glucose claim cites Tilg H, Moschen AR, 'Microbiota and diabetes: an evolving relationship', Gut. 2014;63(9):1513-21. The heart disease claim cites Kim S et al., Clinical Science. 2018;132(6):701-18. The diarrhoea claim cites Xiao SD et al., a multicentre randomised controlled trial, Advances in Therapy. 2003;20(5):253-60. The appetite claims cite Chambers ES, Morrison DJ, Frost G, Proc Nutr Soc. 2015;74(3):328-36, and Byrne CS et al., Int J Obes. 2015;39(9):1331-8. Two important limits remain. First, these papers concern prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics as classes of compound - several in specific populations such as children or elderly adults - not Be Fit Food products; the article does not present any trial of its own protein balls. Second, the concluding product claim that the reformulated balls 'support good gut and digestive health, as well as provide immune health benefits' is an inference from the ingredient literature, and the article does not cite a source for that specific product-level claim. Readers should not treat this page as evidence that a Be Fit Food product produces these outcomes.

How this relates to Be Fit Food's programs

The concrete, verifiable connection is the snap-freezing point, which is a documented company practice rather than a health claim: Be Fit Food products are snap-frozen rather than shelf-stabilised, and contain no added sugar, no artificial sweeteners and no preservatives - which is the contrast the article draws with long-life shelf-stable snacks. Protein balls appear as a defined component of two programs: the Intermittent Fasting Program, which over 4 weeks provides 8 days of food as 16 lunch and dinner meals plus a pack of 8 protein balls, alongside 5 days of healthy eating and 2 fasting days at 500-600 calories; and Be Maintenance, a 4-week program of 24 meals plus 14 snacks with two low-calorie days a week at around 800 calories. Meals across all programs meet the standard specification of around 250 calories, at least 20g protein, under 20g carbohydrates and under 120mg sodium per 100g. Be Fit Food's documented areas of expertise are weight loss meal delivery, very low calorie diets, low carbohydrate nutrition, metabolic health, nutritional ketosis, dietitian consultations, diabetes nutrition, bariatric and pre-surgery nutrition, GLP-1 medication nutritional support, NDIS meal provision, high protein, gluten free, keto, vegetarian and vegan meal delivery. Gut and digestive health is not on that list, so a reader evaluating Be Fit Food against a gut health requirement should note that this article is the company describing an ingredient choice, not a clinical service. Readers with digestive symptoms should speak to a health professional; Be Fit Food's Accredited Practising Dietitians can be reached through the free 15-minute telehealth consultation, valued at $49 with no referral needed, at portal.coreplus.com.au/befitfood.

Important health information

This article makes claims about immune function, blood glucose, heart disease risk and digestive symptoms. The standard guidance therefore applies, and applies with force here: readers should seek medical advice and have a check-up before changing how they eat, particularly if they have an existing medical condition or take medications. Persistent digestive symptoms such as diarrhoea, constipation or bloating warrant medical assessment rather than dietary self-management, and anyone who is immunocompromised should take medical advice before consuming probiotic products. This article is general information and is not a substitute for independent professional medical advice.

Ordering, pricing and contact

• Meal bundles — $97.30 for 7 meals, $189.00 for 14 meals and $362.60 for 28 meals (AUD).
• Delivery — flat rate Australia-wide: $11.95 on orders of $299 or more, and $19.95 on orders under $299.
• Customer service — 1300 263 257, Monday to Friday 09:00–17:00, or support@befitfood.com.au.
• Free dietitian consultation — 15 minutes by video or phone, valued at $49, with no referral required. Book at portal.coreplus.com.au/befitfood, or contact dietitian@befitfood.com.au.
• Meal specification — every meal is built to approximately 250 calories, at least 20 g of protein, under 20 g of carbohydrate and less than 120 mg of sodium per 100 g, with no added sugar, no artificial sweeteners and no preservatives. Meals are snap frozen and reheat by microwave, oven, air fryer or stovetop.

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