Numerous studies have established that prebiotic ingredients in foods and dietary supplements may play a role in supporting human health. Over the three decades that have passed since prebiotics were first defined as a concept, research has revealed a complex universe of prebiotic-induced changes to the human microbiota. There are strong indications of a direct link between these prebiotic-induced changes and specific health benefits.
Advances in Nutrition, 2024
This perspective article is a product of the work of an expert group within the Prebiotic Task Force convened by the International Life Sciences Institute Europe (ILSI Europe), a non-profit organization that brings together experts from academia, industry and public service to catalyse nutrition science for public benefit.
Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 2025
WP_Query Object
(
[query] => Array
(
[post_type] => publication
[posts_per_page] => 5
[type] =>
[area] =>
[committee] => Prebiotics
[authors] =>
[showtitle] =>
[meta_query] => Array
(
[relation] => AND
)
[tax_query] => Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[taxonomy] => ilsi_committee
[field] => name
[terms] => Prebiotics
)
)
[paged] => 3
[meta_key] => _ilsi_date
[orderby] => meta_value
[order] => ASC
)
[query_vars] => Array
(
[post_type] => publication
[posts_per_page] => 5
[type] =>
[area] =>
[committee] => Prebiotics
[authors] =>
[showtitle] =>
[meta_query] => Array
(
[relation] => AND
)
[tax_query] => Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[taxonomy] => ilsi_committee
[field] => name
[terms] => Prebiotics
)
)
[paged] => 3
[meta_key] => _ilsi_date
[orderby] => meta_value
[order] => ASC
[error] =>
[m] =>
[p] => 0
[post_parent] =>
[subpost] =>
[subpost_id] =>
[attachment] =>
[attachment_id] => 0
[name] =>
[pagename] =>
[page_id] => 0
[second] =>
[minute] =>
[hour] =>
[day] => 0
[monthnum] => 0
[year] => 0
[w] => 0
[category_name] =>
[tag] =>
[cat] =>
[tag_id] =>
[author] =>
[author_name] =>
[feed] =>
[tb] =>
[meta_value] =>
[preview] =>
[s] =>
[sentence] =>
[title] =>
[fields] =>
[menu_order] =>
=>
[category__in] => Array
(
)
[category__not_in] => Array
(
)
[category__and] => Array
(
)
[post__in] => Array
(
)
[post__not_in] => Array
(
)
[post_name__in] => Array
(
)
[tag__in] => Array
(
)
[tag__not_in] => Array
(
)
[tag__and] => Array
(
)
[tag_slug__in] => Array
(
)
[tag_slug__and] => Array
(
)
[post_parent__in] => Array
(
)
[post_parent__not_in] => Array
(
)
[author__in] => Array
(
)
[author__not_in] => Array
(
)
[search_columns] => Array
(
)
[ignore_sticky_posts] =>
[suppress_filters] =>
[cache_results] => 1
[update_post_term_cache] => 1
[update_menu_item_cache] =>
[lazy_load_term_meta] => 1
[update_post_meta_cache] => 1
[nopaging] =>
[comments_per_page] => 50
[no_found_rows] =>
[taxonomy] => ilsi_committee
[term_id] => Prebiotics
)
[tax_query] => WP_Tax_Query Object
(
[queries] => Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[taxonomy] => ilsi_committee
[terms] => Array
(
[0] => Prebiotics
)
[field] => name
[operator] => IN
[include_children] => 1
)
)
[relation] => AND
[table_aliases:protected] => Array
(
[0] => wp_3_term_relationships
)
[queried_terms] => Array
(
[ilsi_committee] => Array
(
[terms] => Array
(
[0] => Prebiotics
)
[field] => name
)
)
[primary_table] => wp_3_posts
[primary_id_column] => ID
)
[meta_query] => WP_Meta_Query Object
(
[queries] => Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[key] => _ilsi_date
)
[relation] => OR
)
[relation] => AND
[meta_table] => wp_3_postmeta
[meta_id_column] => post_id
[primary_table] => wp_3_posts
[primary_id_column] => ID
[table_aliases:protected] => Array
(
[0] => wp_3_postmeta
)
[clauses:protected] => Array
(
[wp_3_postmeta] => Array
(
[key] => _ilsi_date
[compare] => =
[compare_key] => =
[alias] => wp_3_postmeta
[cast] => CHAR
)
)
[has_or_relation:protected] =>
)
[date_query] =>
[request] => SELECT SQL_CALC_FOUND_ROWS wp_3_posts.ID
FROM wp_3_posts LEFT JOIN wp_3_term_relationships ON (wp_3_posts.ID = wp_3_term_relationships.object_id) INNER JOIN wp_3_postmeta ON ( wp_3_posts.ID = wp_3_postmeta.post_id )
WHERE 1=1 AND (
wp_3_term_relationships.term_taxonomy_id IN (40)
) AND (
wp_3_postmeta.meta_key = '_ilsi_date'
) AND ((wp_3_posts.post_type = 'publication' AND (wp_3_posts.post_status = 'publish' OR wp_3_posts.post_status = 'acf-disabled')))
GROUP BY wp_3_posts.ID
ORDER BY wp_3_postmeta.meta_value ASC
LIMIT 10, 5
[posts] => Array
(
[0] => WP_Post Object
(
[ID] => 15119
[post_author] => 351
[post_date] => 2024-11-18 14:08:09
[post_date_gmt] => 2024-11-18 14:08:09
[post_content] =>
Abstract
Numerous studies have established that prebiotic ingredients in foods and dietary supplements may play a role in supporting human health. Over the three decades that have passed since prebiotics were first defined as a concept, research has revealed a complex universe of prebiotic-induced changes to the human microbiota. There are strong indications of a direct link between these prebiotic-induced changes and specific health benefits. However, at the present time, the EU has not permitted use of the term 'prebiotic' in connection with an approved health claim. This paper is the outcome of a workshop organized on the 25th October 2023 by the European branch of the International Life Science Institute (ILSI). It provides an overview of the regulatory requirements for authorized health claims in the EU, key areas of prebiotic research, and findings to date in relation to prebiotics and digestive, immune, metabolic and cognitive health. Research gaps and documentation challenges are then explored and a roadmap proposed for achieving authorization of 'prebiotic' in the wording of future EU health claims.
Introductory video
One-pager
Read the full article
Commissioned by the Prebiotics Task Force
[post_title] => Prebiotics in food and dietary supplements: a roadmap to EU health claims
[post_excerpt] =>
[post_status] => publish
[comment_status] => closed
[ping_status] => closed
[post_password] =>
[post_name] => prebiotics-in-food-and-dietary-supplements-a-roadmap-to-eu-health-claims
[to_ping] =>
[pinged] =>
[post_modified] => 2025-05-08 07:48:34
[post_modified_gmt] => 2025-05-08 07:48:34
[post_content_filtered] =>
[post_parent] => 0
[guid] => https://ilsi.eu/?post_type=publication&p=15119
[menu_order] => 0
[post_type] => publication
[post_mime_type] =>
[comment_count] => 0
[filter] => raw
)
[1] => WP_Post Object
(
[ID] => 15120
[post_author] => 351
[post_date] => 2024-11-18 14:13:17
[post_date_gmt] => 2024-11-18 14:13:17
[post_content] =>
Abstract
This perspective article is a product of the work of an expert group within the Prebiotic Task Force convened by the International Life Sciences Institute Europe (ILSI Europe), a non-profit organization that brings together experts from academia, industry and public service to catalyse nutrition science for public benefit. An expert group was conceived in October 2023 to discuss the evidence base on the use of prebiotics to promote cognitive functioning, with a focus on highlighting knowledge gaps and proposing a list of recommendations to guide this specific area of research forward. To address this, we evaluated existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses of human intervention studies that examine the effects of prebiotics on cognitive functioning. These are predominantly conducted in healthy participants under basal conditions and have, to date, revealed limited effects. In this perspective, we propose that prebiotics should be investigated as agents to promote cognitive resilience by testing their effects on cognitive performance under certain cognition-taxing factors that individuals encounter across their lifespan. These include stress, poor sleep outcomes, sedentary behaviour, and unhealthy dietary patterns, all of which have been shown to be associated with altered microbiome and impact global cognition or specific cognitive domains. In addition, we recommend identifying vulnerable populations that are either sub-clinical or that struggle chronically or periodically with one or more cognition-taxing factors, to better uncover the boundary conditions for prebiotic effectiveness. By broadening the scope of research to include diverse populations and challenging conditions in daily life or experimental settings, we can expand our understanding of the role of prebiotics not only in cognitive health or impairment, but also as potential preventative agents that may promote cognitive resilience during aging and in response to various lifestyle-related challenges.
One-pager
Read the full article
Commissioned by the Prebiotics Task Force
[post_title] => Targeting cognitive resilience through prebiotics: A focused perspective
[post_excerpt] =>
[post_status] => publish
[comment_status] => closed
[ping_status] => closed
[post_password] =>
[post_name] => targeting-cognitive-resilience-through-prebiotics-a-focused-perspective
[to_ping] =>
[pinged] =>
[post_modified] => 2025-01-20 08:52:45
[post_modified_gmt] => 2025-01-20 08:52:45
[post_content_filtered] =>
[post_parent] => 0
[guid] => https://ilsi.eu/?post_type=publication&p=15120
[menu_order] => 0
[post_type] => publication
[post_mime_type] =>
[comment_count] => 0
[filter] => raw
)
[2] => WP_Post Object
(
[ID] => 16186
[post_author] => 361
[post_date] => 2025-06-17 15:15:34
[post_date_gmt] => 2025-06-17 15:15:34
[post_content] =>
Abstract
Prebiotics, particularly non-digestible carbohydrates (NDCs), are increasingly recognized for their role in modulating immune responses in the gut, lungs, and urinary tract. This review systematically evaluates evidence from human studies on the effects of NDCs and prebiotics on immune markers, infection risk and severity, inflammation, and vaccine responses. Prebiotics such as inulin, galactooligosaccharides (GOS), and fructooligosaccharides (FOS) positively influence gut microbiota by promoting beneficial species like Bifidobacteria. They also enhance the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate, which interact with immune cells via G-protein-coupled receptors, inducing anti-inflammatory effects. In addition to microbiota-mediated mechanisms, NDCs and prebiotics may directly affect immune and epithelial cells by interacting with pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), enhancing gut barrier function, and modulating immunity. A systematic review of human studies showed that prebiotics, including GOS, FOS, and 2′-fucosyllactose (2FL), reduced infections and increased IgA in healthy infants, while yeast β-glucan reduced respiratory infection symptoms in healthy adults. Yeast β-glucan and GOS supplementation resulted in improvements in NK cell activity. Some effects on vaccine efficacy were noted in young adults, but the overall impact of NDCs and prebiotics on vaccination and systemic inflammation was inconsistent. Further research is needed to clarify the mechanisms involved and to optimize health applications.
Keywords
prebiotic; non-digestible carbohydrates; immunity; infection; inflammation; microbiota
Read the full papaer
Commissionned by the Prebiotics Task Force
One-pager
[post_title] => Impact of non-digestible carbohydrates and prebiotics on immunity, infections, inflammation and vaccine responses: a systematic review of evidence in healthy humans and a discussion of mechanistic proposals
[post_excerpt] =>
[post_status] => publish
[comment_status] => closed
[ping_status] => closed
[post_password] =>
[post_name] => impact-of-non-digestible-carbohydrates-and-prebiotics-on-immunity-infections-inflammation-and-vaccine-responses-a-systematic-review-of-evidence-in-healthy-humans-and-a-discussion-of-mechanistic-pro
[to_ping] =>
[pinged] =>
[post_modified] => 2025-06-23 07:50:13
[post_modified_gmt] => 2025-06-23 07:50:13
[post_content_filtered] =>
[post_parent] => 0
[guid] => https://ilsi.eu/?post_type=publication&p=16186
[menu_order] => 0
[post_type] => publication
[post_mime_type] =>
[comment_count] => 0
[filter] => raw
)
)
[post_count] => 3
[current_post] => -1
[before_loop] =>
[in_the_loop] =>
[post] => WP_Post Object
(
[ID] => 15119
[post_author] => 351
[post_date] => 2024-11-18 14:08:09
[post_date_gmt] => 2024-11-18 14:08:09
[post_content] =>
Abstract
Numerous studies have established that prebiotic ingredients in foods and dietary supplements may play a role in supporting human health. Over the three decades that have passed since prebiotics were first defined as a concept, research has revealed a complex universe of prebiotic-induced changes to the human microbiota. There are strong indications of a direct link between these prebiotic-induced changes and specific health benefits. However, at the present time, the EU has not permitted use of the term 'prebiotic' in connection with an approved health claim. This paper is the outcome of a workshop organized on the 25th October 2023 by the European branch of the International Life Science Institute (ILSI). It provides an overview of the regulatory requirements for authorized health claims in the EU, key areas of prebiotic research, and findings to date in relation to prebiotics and digestive, immune, metabolic and cognitive health. Research gaps and documentation challenges are then explored and a roadmap proposed for achieving authorization of 'prebiotic' in the wording of future EU health claims.
Introductory video
One-pager
Read the full article
Commissioned by the Prebiotics Task Force
[post_title] => Prebiotics in food and dietary supplements: a roadmap to EU health claims
[post_excerpt] =>
[post_status] => publish
[comment_status] => closed
[ping_status] => closed
[post_password] =>
[post_name] => prebiotics-in-food-and-dietary-supplements-a-roadmap-to-eu-health-claims
[to_ping] =>
[pinged] =>
[post_modified] => 2025-05-08 07:48:34
[post_modified_gmt] => 2025-05-08 07:48:34
[post_content_filtered] =>
[post_parent] => 0
[guid] => https://ilsi.eu/?post_type=publication&p=15119
[menu_order] => 0
[post_type] => publication
[post_mime_type] =>
[comment_count] => 0
[filter] => raw
)
[comment_count] => 0
[current_comment] => -1
[found_posts] => 13
[max_num_pages] => 3
[max_num_comment_pages] => 0
[is_single] =>
[is_preview] =>
[is_page] =>
[is_archive] => 1
[is_date] =>
[is_year] =>
[is_month] =>
[is_day] =>
[is_time] =>
[is_author] =>
[is_category] =>
[is_tag] =>
[is_tax] => 1
[is_search] =>
[is_feed] =>
[is_comment_feed] =>
[is_trackback] =>
[is_home] =>
[is_privacy_policy] =>
[is_404] =>
[is_embed] =>
[is_paged] => 1
[is_admin] =>
[is_attachment] =>
[is_singular] =>
[is_robots] =>
[is_favicon] =>
[is_posts_page] =>
[is_post_type_archive] =>
[query_vars_hash:WP_Query:private] => 45079abaec063062ba16c52f8d30581c
[query_vars_changed:WP_Query:private] =>
[thumbnails_cached] =>
[allow_query_attachment_by_filename:protected] =>
[stopwords:WP_Query:private] =>
[compat_fields:WP_Query:private] => Array
(
[0] => query_vars_hash
[1] => query_vars_changed
)
[compat_methods:WP_Query:private] => Array
(
[0] => init_query_flags
[1] => parse_tax_query
)
)
