Prebiotics are fermentable, non-digestible food ingredients that feed and stimulate the growth of friendly bacteria (probiotics) in your large intestine. Probiotics are the good bacteria that help your body maintain health.
There are 3 types of prebiotics. . . preshort-chain, long-chain, and full-spectrum.
1. Short-chain” prebiotic’s, e.g. oligofructose, contain 2 to 8 links per saccharide molecule and are typically fermented more quickly in the right side of the colon providing nourishment to the friendly bacteria in that area.
2. Longer-chain prebiotic’s e.g. inulin, contain 9 to 64 links per saccharide molecule, and tend to be fermented more slowly, nourishing bacteria predominantly in the left side of the colon.
3. Full spectrum preiotics provide the full range of molecular link-lengths from 2 to 64 links per molecule, and nourish bacteria throughout the colon, e.g. Oligofructose-Enriched Inulin (OEI).
There is evidence to suggest that prebiotics can play a part in reducing irritable bowel symptoms, improve regularity, boost your immune system as well as impart positive changes on many other stomach related problems.
Prebiotic’s also helps with calcium absorption into the bones, helping to reduce your chances of developing osteoporosis.
Foods containing prebiotics:
Bananas, onions, chicory root, garlic, asparagus, barley, wheat, and leeks.
Superfoods containing prebiotics: