Expert consensus document: The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) consensus statement on the definition and scope of prebiotics.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Expert consensus statement and narrative review without new empirical data or systematic review.
PubMed 28611480 · doi:10.1038/nrgastro.2017.75
What was done
An expert panel in microbiology, nutrition, and clinical research convened by the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) in December 2016 reviewed scientific literature, clinical developments, and regulatory frameworks to update the definition and operational scope of prebiotics.
What was found
The panel defined a prebiotic as a substrate that is selectively utilized by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit. This consensus updated the previous concept to include non-carbohydrate substances, applications beyond the gastrointestinal tract, categories outside of food, and animal applications, while retaining the requirement for documented health benefits and selective microbial utilization. The abstract reports no quantitative experimental data or numerical outcomes.
Why it matters
This consensus provides an authoritative, standardized scientific definition intended to harmonize clinical research, commercial labeling, and regulatory oversight regarding prebiotic substances.
Limits
This publication is an expert consensus panel statement rather than an empirical trial or systematic review. The abstract does not specify the number of panelists, the formal consensus-generation methodology used, or quantitative thresholds required to demonstrate a health benefit.
Cited by
- supports Polyphenols act as prebiotics.