What are prebiotics?

Most people have heard of probiotics and know that they are good for the gut and are important to have in the diet especially after a course of antibiotics. As opposed to probitoics which are live bacteria and yeasts that help replenish your good gut bacteria and help improve your digestive system, prebiotics are the foods that feed and nourish the gut microflora to allow them to thrive and grow in that environment.

You can either help the bad gut bacteria to grow by feeding it sugars, as good bacteria thrives on sugar, or you can help your good gut microflora to grow and flourish through feeding it a good diet of fruits, vegetables, wholegrains and fibres.

So, What exactly are prebiotics?

Prebiotics are a type of non-digestible carbohydrates, meaning that it doesn't get broken down much on the way to the large bowel. Making them a perfect source of food for the bacteria in your large bowel.

Helping to nurture and support your good gut bacteria is very beneficial for your overall health as it can help improve the absorption of nutrients, vitamins and minerals from foods and supplements, help strengthen your body's natural immune defenses and improve bowel habits.

Prebiotics can be found in many plant products such as bananas, apples, onions, garlic, watermelon, nectarines, asparagus, Jerusalem artichokes and in wholegrains such as oats, cous cous, rye, chickpeas, lentils and beans.