What if the probiotic you’re taking isn’t wrong… just wrong for you?Professor Glenn Gibson explains to Yalda why probiotics should be tailored to specific needs and why most people choose them blindly.In Part 2 of this conversation, Yalda and Glenn Gibson break down the confusion around probiotics and explain why different strains serve different purposes. They explore why supplements are so difficult to navigate, the limitations around health claims, and how new tools may soon help people make more informed decisions. The episode also dives into a key shift in thinking about gut health, moving away from microbiome diversity and focusing instead on functionality, and how prebiotics and fibre can support a more effective, active gut environment.Professor Glenn Gibson is the Chair of Food Microbiology and Head of Food Microbial Sciences at the University of Reading in the UK, where his research focuses on gut microbiology, probiotics, and prebiotics. He is widely recognised for co-authoring the landmark 1995 paper that introduced the term prebiotics — “Dietary modulation of the human colonic microbiota: introducing the concept of prebiotics.”Across his career, he has overseen more than 145 research projects, supervised over 85 PhD students, published over 500 papers and 8 books, and received more than 100,000 citations. His work has spanned from fundamental microbial ecology (his PhD was on sulphate-reducing bacteria in marine sediments) to applied human dietary interventions, including the development of prebiotic ingredients to enhance beneficial gut bacteria, modulate inflammation, improve metabolic markers, and support immune and gut health. He has also held visiting professorships at institutions such as Imperial College London and has taken leadership roles, including serving as a co-founder and past president of the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP). His ongoing research explores how the gut ecosystem influences not just digestive health but also systemic health outcomes, including obesity, metabolic syndrome, immunity, brain–gut links, and the role of diet and microbes in long-term wellness. You can find more about Professor Glenn Gibson at https://www.reading.ac.uk/food/our-staff/glenn-gibson

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