What are Postbiotics for Kids?

If you’ve been wanting to improve your kid’s gut health, you've probably heard about prebiotics and probiotics - the powerhouse duo that fuels and replenishes good gut bacteria.

But there’s another key piece to the gut-health puzzle: postbiotics. 

Postbiotics are the beneficial byproducts of probiotics and prebiotics. They’ve grown in popularity for their claims to reduce gut inflammation, support digestion, and even boost immunity. 

In this post, we'll break down the basics of postbiotics and how to safely incorporate them into your kid’s diet.

Postbiotics vs. Probiotics vs. Prebiotics

Before diving into the benefits of postbiotics, it's important to understand their role in relation to prebiotics and probiotics. 

• Prebiotics are types of fiber that feed the good bacteria in the gut. They are naturally found in foods like bananas, oats, onions,and more.

• Probiotics are live beneficial bacteria that support good gut health. They are naturally found in fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, and saurkraut. 

• Postbiotics are the beneficial compounds that result from probiotics breaking down their food (prebiotics). 

One of the most researched postbiotics is short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), produced when gut bacteria break down prebiotic fibers.

These SCFAs include butyrate, acetate, and propionate which support metabolism and overall gut health (1). 

How Do Postbiotics Help Kids?

Postbiotics are especially helpful for young kids whose microbiomes are still developing, which means they have a weaker gut lining and higher reactivity to new bacteria (1).

Unlike probiotics that can overwhelm an immature gut, postbiotics are gentler and less disruptive to the bacteria ecosystem in your kiddo’s gut. 

Beyond being gentler on the gut, postbiotics act as the pathway for gut bacteria to target other areas of the body such as:

• Reduce Inflammation.Postbiotics stimulate the gut lining to create more mucus, making it stronger and less susceptible to infection and inflammation (1).

• Vitamin Production. When bacteria is fermented, it naturally creates B vitamins like folate which promotes energy production and can prevent anemia in children (1).

• Prevent Infections. Postbiotics have been shown to prevent gastrointestinal and respiratory infections in kids under age four (2).

Best Food Sources of Postbiotics

Postbiotics are naturally found in foods such as (3):

• Sauerkraut

• Kombucha

• Pickled vegetables

• Yogurt

• Kefir

• Cottage cheese

• Tempeh

• Sourdough bread

They are also included in natural bacteria strains like Lactobacillus, Faecalibacterium, Saccharomyces, Bifidobacterium, Eubacterium, and  Streptococcus. 

The prebiotic fiber in Growing Up Prebiotics, human milk oligosaccharide and chicory root, provides 3g of fiber per serving and helps produce short-chain fatty acids for improved digestive and immune health. 

Prebiotic fiber supplements help contribute postbiotics to your kiddo’s gut. 

Summary

Postbiotics, produced when probiotics break down prebiotics, play a key role in gut health by reducing inflammation, supporting digestion, boosting immunity, and producing B vitamins. Unlike probiotics, postbiotics are gentler for developing guts, making them a safer option for kids.

Foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kombucha, and pickled vegetables as well as prebiotic foods and supplements are natural sources of postbiotics to safely introduce to your little one.