Prebiotics: What are they? The best food sources of the plant fibres
PREBIOTICS, along with their cousins probiotics, are hailed as serving an important function in improving gut health. But what exactly are prebiotics, how are they different to probiotics, and why are they beneficial?
The health benefits of probiotics explained
Prebiotics are a type of plant fibre, which feed the probiotics in the gut.
Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts, often known as ‘friendly’ or ‘good’ bacteria.
Probiotics are thought to help restore the natural balance of bacteria in the gut when it's been disrupted by an illness, which can help ease symptoms of digestive problems such as IBS.
Prebiotics act as food for probiotics, helping probiotics produce nutrients.
Eating balanced amounts of both pro- and prebiotics can help ensure you have the right balance of these bacteria, which should improve your health
Probiotics are widely advertised in yoghurts and supplement-form, but what are good sources of prebiotics?
According to medical website Healthline, prebiotics come from fibres which humans can’t digest.
Probiotics eat the fibre instead, which helps them to aid digestion and improve the balance of the gut.
Here are the best food sources of prebiotics.
Garlic
Some of the fibre in garlic comes from a prebiotic called fructooligosaccharides, and some comes from inulin.
This promotes the growth of good bacteria and prevents disease-promoting bacteria from growing.
Onions
Onions also contain inulin and fructooligosaccharides, as well as antibiotic properties.
Leeks
Leeks contain inulin and are also high in vitamins K and C.
Bananas
Bananas contain small amounts of inulin, as well as being rich in potassium.
Oats
Oats are rich in beta-glucan fibre and are also proven to lower cholesterol.
“Eating balanced amounts of both pro- and prebiotics can help ensure you have the right balance of these bacteria, which should improve your health,” said Healthline.