Butyrate and prebiotic fibre are connected, but they are not the same thing.
Prebiotic fibre is food for gut bacteria. When certain bacteria ferment that fibre, they may produce short chain fatty acids, including butyrate. In that case, your diet is helping the body create butyrate indirectly through the microbiome.
A butyrate product is different. It provides butyrate or a butyrate related ingredient more directly, often in a postbiotic style gut support format. This can be useful to understand, but the claim should stay careful and clear. Direct support does not replace fibre rich eating.
For Indian meals, the prebiotic route is familiar. Dal, chana, rajma, vegetables, whole grains, raw banana flour, cooked and cooled rice or potato, and certain fibres can feed gut bacteria. The direct butyrate route is more supplement led and needs better label education.
Tolerance also differs. Prebiotic fibre can cause gas if increased too fast. Butyrate products may have taste, smell or delivery challenges depending on the ingredient form.
Do not choose by buzzword. Choose by purpose, evidence, label clarity and personal suitability.
Prebiotic fibre feeds the factory. Butyrate is one of the outputs. Both ideas belong to gut health, but they work differently.
Feeding the factory and taking the output are two different strategies. Most people are better served starting with the first.