Probiotics and Prebiotics

What Are Probiotics?

Probiotics are 'friendly' bacteria that supplement the natural bacteria in your gut. These 'friendly' bacteria may help our digestive system work efficiently and aid good health.

Your gut is home to a huge variety of naturally occurring micro-organisms (tiny living things such as bacteria). Some of these micro-organisms may be harmful and some are 'friendly' and may help maintain a healthy digestive system.

It is recommended that you eat a probiotic food every day to help balance and maintain the natural bacteria in the gut in favour of the 'friendly' ones.

Health Benefits

There are several types of probiotic bacteria. Each one will have slightly different benefits. There are scientific studies supporting the benefits of these bacteria and they have been shown to:

• help the immune system work even better
• multiply in the gut, pushing out less friendly bacteria
• improve the general health of children

Is Eating Bacteria Safe?

Not all bacteria are bad for us. In fact we rely on some 'friendly' bacteria to provide us with some familiar foods. For example yogurt uses bacteria called 'lactobacillus' to turn the lactose (milk sugar) into lactic acid. This is what makes yogurt taste so good. Other foods such as Blue Stilton also use 'friendly' bacteria.

Probiotics are safe for children who are over the age of one. In fact some studies suggest that children having probiotics have fewer infections and illnesses than those who don't

How Do I Know Probiotics Work?

Each probiotic that is used in a product has to undergo many trials to show that it is safe, effective and has proven health benefits

One of the tests which a probiotic bacterium must pass is its ability to pass through the stomach and reach the large intestine. A bacterium which falls at the first hurdle of stomach acid, digestive enzymes and bile would be no use! The probiotic used in Marks and Spencer foods has been shown to navigate the gut successfully.

How we can help...

To help you get your daily dose of 'friendly' bacteria all our yogurts, yogurt based fruit smoothies and one a day shot drinks contain a Bifidobacterium probiotic.

For more information visit
British Nutrition Foundation
Food Standards Agency

What are Prebiotics?

Prebiotics are complex carbohydrates that stimulate the growth of our natural intestinal bacteria and can help to promote a healthy digestive system.

Prebiotics occur naturally in a range of foods such as asparagus, chicory, leeks, artichokes, bananas, onions, garlic, wheat, oats and soya beans. These days, you'll find a number of foods with added prebiotics too - like yogurts, yogurt drinks, cheeses, breakfast cereals and cereal bars.

How can we help?

Our new Simply More range offers all your weekly essentials enriched with different nutrients. As part of the range, we've included prebiotics in all our Simply More yogurts, yogurt drinks and cereal bars - look out for them in the fridge and grocery aisle at your local M&S. For more information about our Simply More range click here.