probiotic
proh-by-OT-ik
/ˌproʊbaɪˈɒtɪk/
A substance which stimulates the growth of microorganisms, especially those that are beneficial to the health.
Usually refers to live bacteria found in yogurt or supplements that help the gut.
The story behind the word. The word was created as a direct opposite to 'antibiotic'. While 'anti-bio' means 'against life' (killing bacteria), 'pro-bio' means 'for life' (supporting beneficial bacteria).
Word relationships
- antibiotic: A substance that destroys or inhibits the growth of microorganisms.
Commonly confused with
- prebiotic: Prebiotics are the 'food' for the bacteria; probiotics are the bacteria themselves.
Collocations
- probiotic bacteria
- probiotic supplement
- probiotic cultures
Example sentences
- "Probiotics are live microorganisms that are intended to have health benefits when consumed or applied to the body." An informational page from a health institute. (National Institutes of Health (NIH))
- "Adding a probiotic yogurt to your morning routine can help improve your digestive health." Describing a healthy breakfast.
Memory hook
'Pro' means you are 'for' something. Probiotics are 'for' the 'bio' (life) in your gut. Probiotics are 'pro-life' for your gut.
When not to use
Don't confuse with 'antibiotics', which kill bacteria.
Fun facts
- The human gut contains about 100 trillion microorganisms, outnumbering human cells in the body.
Related words
Explore more words
culture, microbial, ferment, prophylactic, preservative, fermentation
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