Top 5 Gut and Immune Health Questions — Answered by Science

From online searches to conversations with nutritionists and dietitians, gut and immune health remain top of mind. It’s easy to see why. The gut does far more than digest food — it’s home to most of the body’s immune cells and serves as a frontline defense system. With so much buzz around probiotics, prebiotics, and microbiome testing, the questions keep coming.

At NutriLeads, we hear them, too. Here are some of the most common questions and what the latest science has to say.

What’s the best way to improve my gut health?

Most people start here. They know gut health matters but wonder where to begin. The foundation is simple: feed your beneficial gut bacteria. However, not all prebiotics work the same way.

Do probiotics and prebiotics really strengthen my microbiome?

Probiotics can deliver targeted, short-term benefits, especially for digestion or specific conditions. However, introducing new bacteria into an ecosystem containing trillions of microbes poses a challenge: these strains often struggle to establish lasting change in the microbiome’s composition. By contrast, precision prebiotics work with the beneficial bacteria already present in your gut helping them grow stronger and more active. This approach strengthens the microbiome from within. In short, prebiotics may be your best bet for sustainable microbiome health.

Can improving gut health really support immunity?

Absolutely. The gut and immune system are deeply interconnected, with nearly 70% of immune cells reside in the gut, communicating constantly with resident microbes.

Benicaros® doesn’t just feed the right bacteria. It also trains the body’s innate immune system to respond faster and more effectively to challenges. In clinical research, participants taking Benicaros demonstrated enhanced immune readiness and more balanced inflammatory responses following a standardized immune challenge.

That’s the multi-functional advantage: dual action on gut and immune health.

Should I take a test to see if my microbiome is healthy?

Microbiome tests can provide useful insights but a simpler and more effective approach is to focus on foods and ingredients proven to deliver consistent benefits, regardless of microbiome composition.

Top gut-friendly foods fall into three main categories:

Among precision prebiotics, Benicaros® stands out for delivering predictable gut and immune health benefits across diverse microbiomes, helping everyone move toward a healthier, more balanced state.

For best results, limit ultra-processed foods, refined sugars, excessive alcohol, and artificial sweeteners, which can disrupt microbial balance.

Why do some prebiotics cause gas or bloating?

A common complaint about traditional prebiotics is excessive gas production, especially early on. Many simple prebiotics are fermented rapidly and broadly by multiple microbial species in the gut, producing large volumes of gas.

Benicaros®, by contrast, is fermented more gradually and selectively by beneficial bacteria. This results in significantly less gas production and greater digestive comfort, making Benicaros well tolerated at clinically effective doses. Consumers get the benefits of microbiome nourishment without the unwanted side effects.