When is the Best Time to Take Prebiotics?

Prebiotics. You've probably heard that they play a role in supporting your digestive health. You might even know that they're a type of dietary fiber. But do you know when to take Prebiotics? Is there a best time to take Prebiotics?^†

Prebiotics are convenient and flexible when it comes to timing. That means they can easily fit into your daily routine without any hassle; there’s no strict best time to take Prebiotics. In this article, let's explore various options to help you find the right routine for you.

How Do Prebiotics Work?

Let's do a quick refresher: what are Prebiotics and how do they work? Prebiotics are a type of dietary fiber in foods like oatmeal, bran, flaxseed, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and legumes. What's so special about prebiotic fiber? Your body can't digest it, so instead, it works as a fuel and food source for the beneficial microorganisms in your gut in a process called fermentation.^[1]

That's right; your gut is filled with billions of bacteria, some beneficial to digestive health. By feeding those beneficial gut bacteria, you support a balanced gut. Because prebiotic fiber isn’t broken down in your digestive system, the time you should take Prebiotics is flexible—you can take them any time of the day, whenever is most convenient for you.

Morning, Afternoon, or Night? Best Times to Take Prebiotics

Morning, afternoon, or night. When to take Prebiotics? As mentioned above, there's no inherent benefit to taking a Prebiotic at a specific time of day. However, certain times can offer personal benefits due to how you prefer to move through the day. Let's explore why you might choose to take Prebiotics in the morning, afternoon, or nighttime and how consistency is the best way to get the benefits of Prebiotic Fiber supplements.

Taking Prebiotics in the Morning

Are you a morning person? Do you already start your day with a meal and a structured health and wellness routine? If you treat yourself to self-care in the morning, you might prefer to take Prebiotics in the morning.

Prebiotics can easily slip into a pre-existing morning supplement routine, adding another way to support your body alongside the supplements you already take. Additionally, Prebiotics can be taken alongside your breakfast as a convenient way to combine them with a consistent daily routine.

Taking Prebiotics in the Afternoon

For some of us, the morning is more occupied with getting out the door on time than getting all our supplements in. If that sounds like you, Prebiotics might be better suited for your midday break; taking them alongside your lunch. Nature Made^® Probiotic + Prebiotic Gummies are a convenient way to bring Probiotic and Prebiotic digestive support on the go.^†

Taking Prebiotics at Night

A wellness routine at night can be a great way to slow down and take care of your body in the evening. Many people already take their daily supplements alongside their dinner, so including a Prebiotic supplement in that pre-existing routine can be an easy additional step for digestive health support. Some prefer to take their Prebiotics at night, so they don't have to worry about forgetting them in the morning or during the day.^†

Factors to Consider When Timing Your Prebiotic Intake

Here are some factors to consider when timing your prebiotic fiber intake. Remember, there is no inherent benefit to taking Prebiotic Fiber supplements at a certain time of day. Nature Made^® recommends consulting with a trusted medical professional like your primary care doctor before adding any supplement to your daily wellness routine.

Daily Habits

Prebiotics are flexible, so pick the best time for your daily habits. If you choose a time that is a natural fit for your pre-existing routine, you're more likely to remember to take your supplements consistently. And like with most supplements, consistency is key.

Digestive Comfort

Some people report a slight feeling of bloating when starting Prebiotic Fiber supplements. Try starting with a lower dose at first and increasing your dosage gradually to help avoid this feeling. Increasing your water intake may provide more digestive comfort with your Prebiotic supplement.

Lifestyle Preferences

Everyone lives their life to a different beat. Thankfully, Prebiotics are flexible; they can work for you however you live your life. Whether you prefer morning wellness habits or a night-time self-care routine, consistency matters more than specific timing.

Should You Take Prebiotics at the Same Time as Probiotics?

Prebiotics and Probiotics share most of the same letters, but they are different things! What’s the difference between Prebiotics vs. Probiotics? Probiotics are a source of live beneficial bacteria to support your gut microbiome, and Prebiotic dietary fiber feeds pre-existing beneficial bacteria in your gut. Can you take Prebiotics and Probiotics together? Yes!

Prebiotics and Probiotics both support gut health in different ways, and Prebiotic supplementation can support the function of Probiotics.^[2] Probiotics come in different strains that provide different benefits. Check out our Probiotics Collection to explore supplements that can support your gut microbiome and even your immune system.^†

While Prebiotics and Probiotics together can support your gut, that doesn't necessarily mean you have to take them at the same time of the day. Some prefer to take Probiotics in the morning and Prebiotics at night. Some prefer vice versa. Others take them both together in the same routine. All of those are valid choices; choose the one that works best for you!

Find the Right Prebiotic Routine for You

So, to recap, what is the best time to take Prebiotics? Say it together: "The best time to take Prebiotics is the time that works best for you." Just because you started with one routine doesn't mean you have to stick with it forever. Start your routine and adjust based on how your body feels and how convenient it is, and eventually, you'll land on your ideal wellness routine.

Nature Made^® offers a range of Prebiotic supplements designed for easy daily use, so you can find the Prebiotic that works best in your unique routine. Over 90% of women and 97% of men do not meet the recommended dietary fiber intake from Prebiotic foods, which is 30-38 g/day for men and 21-25 g/day for women.^[3]

Our Prebiotic Fiber Drink Mix Powder is a convenient way to add prebiotics to your daily routine—just mix it into your preferred non-carbonated beverage and enjoy. Nature Made^® Prebiotic Fiber Gummies provide inulin (chicory root fiber), which gets converted into short-chain fatty acids in the gut, which in turn support colon cells.^[4]†

Make Prebiotics Part of Your Wellness Routine

Prebiotic supplements are low maintenance. In general, there are no strict rules for what to take it with, and there is no complicated timing on the exact time to take a Prebiotic supplement unless a specific time is recommended by your healthcare practitioner . Prebiotics are just a simple way to support your digestive health. Morning, afternoon, or night, Prebiotics will fit into your routine to provide gut support whenever you need it. Consistency is key, not timing.^†

Explore Nature Made^® Prebiotic Supplements and find what fits your routine best! Nature Made^® is the #1 Pharmacist Recommended Vitamin and Supplement Brand.*

* Based on a survey of pharmacists who recommend branded vitamins and supplements

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References

1. Cummings JH, Macfarlane GT, Englyst HN. Prebiotic digestion and fermentation. Am J Clin Nutr. 2001;73(2 Suppl):415S-420S. doi:10.1093/ajcn/73.2.415s
2. Markowiak P, Śliżewska K. Effects of Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics on Human Health. Nutrients. 2017;9(9):1021. Published 2017 Sep 15. doi:10.3390/nu9091021
3. Institute of Medicine (US) Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes. Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids; The National Academies Press (US): Washington, DC, 2005
4. Corrêa RO, Castro PR, Fachi JL, et al. Inulin diet uncovers complex diet-microbiota-immune cell interactions remodeling the gut epithelium [published correction appears in Microbiome. 2023 May 31;11(1):122. doi: 10.1186/s40168-023-01579-x.]. Microbiome. 2023;11(1):90. Published 2023 Apr 26. doi:10.1186/s40168-023-01520-2