What Is a Synbiotic? And Why You Need It 🧬

Fact-Checked By a Nutritionist MD

Published on July 1, 2025

Gut health has become one of the hottest topics in wellness—and for good reason. A balanced, healthy gut supports digestion, immunity, mood, metabolism, and even hormonal balance. But while probiotics often steal the spotlight, there’s another powerful player in gut health you should know about: synbiotics.

In this article, we’ll break down what synbiotics are, how they work, and why combining prebiotics + probiotics is more effective than taking either alone. Plus, we’ll explain how GRNS uses synbiotic support to help nourish your microbiome every day.

🧪 What Is a Synbiotic?

A synbiotic is a combination of probiotics (beneficial bacteria) and prebiotics (the food that feeds those bacteria) designed to work synergistically in your digestive system.

The term comes from “syn-” meaning “together,” and “-biotic” meaning “life.” When taken together, synbiotics enhance the survival, colonisation, and function of good bacteria in your gut—making them more effective than taking probiotics alone.

Let’s Break It Down: Probiotics vs Prebiotics

✔️ Probiotics

Live “good” bacteria that support gut health

Help balance your microbiome, improve digestion, and enhance immunity

Common strains: Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Saccharomyces

Found in fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, kefir, kimchi

✔️ Prebiotics

Non-digestible fibres that feed your probiotics

Help the good bacteria grow, multiply, and thrive

Found in foods like garlic, onion, leeks, asparagus, bananas, and chicory root

✔️ Synbiotics = Probiotics + Prebiotics

Work together to boost absorption, increase bacterial survival, and improve gut function

🥦 Why Synbiotics Are More Effective Than Probiotics Alone

Many probiotic supplements or foods are missing the prebiotic fibres required for those bacteria to thrive. Without a proper food source, probiotic strains may pass through your system without colonizing or providing benefits.

Synbiotics solve this by:

- Improving the survival rate of probiotics through the digestive tract

- Enhancing colonisation in the gut lining

- Supporting a more diverse and resilient microbiome

- Boosting nutrient absorption, especially for minerals like magnesium and calcium

- Amplifying the immune-modulating effects of probiotics

🌿 Benefits of Synbiotics

Adding synbiotics to your diet or supplement routine can lead to a range of noticeable health improvements:

✅ 1. Better Digestion

Synbiotics support regular bowel movements, reduce bloating, and help break down food more efficiently.

✅ 2. Improved Immunity

Around 70% of your immune system resides in your gut. A healthy microbiome can improve your resistance to illness and reduce inflammation.

✅ 3. Enhanced Mood & Brain Function

The gut-brain axis means your microbiome can influence neurotransmitter production, helping regulate stress, anxiety, and even cognitive function.

✅ 4. Hormonal Balance

A healthy gut helps with estrogen detox, cortisol regulation, and insulin sensitivity—making synbiotics a key part of hormonal health.

✅ 5. Skin Health

Skin conditions like acne, eczema, and rosacea are often linked to gut imbalances. Synbiotics can help calm internal inflammation.

✅ 6. Metabolism & Weight Support

A balanced gut microbiome supports metabolic function and satiety hormones like leptin and ghrelin, helping regulate appetite and cravings.

🌱 Synbiotic Support in GRNS

GRNS is more than a greens powder—it’s a synbiotic formula designed to support your gut and overall health on a daily basis. Each scoop contains:

Probiotics: including Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Lactobacillus acidophilus—clinically studied strains known to improve gut balance, immunity, and digestion

Prebiotics: from inulin, chicory root, and acacia fibre, which fuel and enhance the growth of these beneficial bacteria

By combining these in one blend, GRNS delivers true synbiotic support, helping the good bacteria not only reach your gut—but stay there, thrive, and multiply.

A girl drinking greens powder from her glass

How to Boost Synbiotics Through Diet

In addition to using GRNS, you can increase your synbiotic intake by:

- Eating fermented foods daily (yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, miso)

- Including prebiotic-rich foods like garlic, onions, artichokes, and bananas

- Avoiding excessive antibiotics or processed foods that damage gut flora

- Managing stress and prioritising sleep to protect the gut-brain axis

FAQs: Phytonutrients & GRNS

1. What’s the difference between a probiotic and a synbiotic?
A probiotic contains only good bacteria. A synbiotic combines probiotics + prebiotics, making the probiotics more effective by feeding them the right nutrients to survive and colonise your gut.

2. Can I take GRNS with other probiotic supplements?
Yes, but GRNS already provides a balanced synbiotic blend. If you take an additional probiotic, look for strain diversity and rotate types if needed.

3. How long does it take for synbiotics to work?
A: Some people notice changes in digestion or bloating in as little as 3–5 days. Full microbiome support and immune benefits may take 2–4 weeks of consistent use.

4. Does GRNS need to be refrigerated like probiotic capsules?
Yes, GRNS uses shelf-stable probiotic strains designed to survive normal conditions without refrigeration, however, for better lifespan they should be refrigerated.

5. Who should take synbiotics?
Everyone can benefit, especially if you experience digestive issues, frequent illness, skin problems, or take medications (like antibiotics) that affect gut health.