{"id":383628,"date":"2026-04-09T18:14:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T18:14:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/383628\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T18:14:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T18:14:18","slug":"fiber-vs-probiotics-whats-best-for-your-gut-one-is-better-than-the-other-it-turns-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/383628\/","title":{"rendered":"Fiber vs. Probiotics: What\u2019s Best for Your Gut? One Is Better Than the Other, It Turns Out"},"content":{"rendered":"

The wellness industry loves a hero ingredient. The year 2025 was when protein dominated grocery aisles<\/a>, appearing in everything from popcorn to soda and even water. Now, fibermaxxing<\/a> is coming for its glory, with the humble nutrient promising not only smoother, more satisfying poops but also benefits for metabolic health, heart health, and then some. But where do probiotics<\/a>\u2014another gut-health darling that had its own heyday as the supplement du jour a few years back\u2014come into play?<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re trying to optimize your gut health and digestion, is it fiber or probiotics that\u2019ll do most of the heavy lifting? Below, experts help us unpack these two gut health all-stars and share which one reigns supreme. But first, a quick refresher on both.<\/p>\n

The benefits of fiber<\/p>\n

Found in plant foods, fiber is a type of carbohydrate that your body can\u2019t digest\u2014but your gut bacteria can. \u201cWhen diverse dietary fibers reach your colon, your bacteria ferment them and produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs),\u201d says Will Bulsiewicz, MD<\/a>, a board-certified gastroenterologist and the author of Plant Powered Plus<\/a>. Butyrate is one important SCFA that helps to not only strengthen your gut barrier and protect your body against pathogens. Beyond the colon, SFCAs also \u201cregulate blood sugar, help manage cholesterol, and trigger the release of appetite-suppressing hormones like GLP-1 and PYY,\u201d says Dr. Bulsiewicz. \u201cThey even optimize your immune system and reduce inflammation.\u201d Beyond SCFA production, fiber helps beneficial bacteria thrive and supports the transit and absorption of nutrients in the gut, says Federica Amati, PhD, MPH, RNutr<\/a>, head nutritionist at ZOE<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And of course, most of fiber\u2019s fame derives from its benefits for digestion, no matter if your issue is too many or too few trips to the toilet\u2026or just a generally uncomfortable experience once you\u2019re there. \u201cFiber improves bowel irregularity and makes stools bulkier and softer, helping things move through the digestive tract more smoothly,\u201d Felice Schnoll-Sussman, MD, MSc<\/a>, a board-certified gastroenterologist at Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian, tells SELF.<\/p>\n

Depending on your digestive woes, it can also help to get specific about the type of fiber you\u2019re getting. That\u2019s right: There are two kinds\u2014soluble and insoluble fiber<\/a>\u2014and each serves a different purpose. The former dissolves in water and can help slow digestion, which Dr. Schnoll-Sussman says is helpful for diarrhea and managing blood sugar. (\u201cIt can also lower cholesterol by binding to bile acids, which can be associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and obesity,\u201d she adds.) Insoluble fiber, meanwhile, doesn\u2019t dissolve in water and can help boost transit in the bowel, thus addressing constipation.<\/p>\n