A balanced and healthy gut flora or microbiome requires more than taking in adequate probiotics. Prebiotics are a form of indigestible fermented fiber that help promote the growth of beneficial bacteria. They act as a fertilizer that allows your gut garden to flourish and thrive.

Prebiotic fiber resists digestion in upper GI tract, ferments in the colon and fuels the growth of probiotic microorganisms that are essential to not only a healthy gut but our overall health. A well balanced microbiome are due to to byproducts of fiber fermentation called short-chain fatty acids or SCFA’s.

SCFA’s – do many beneficial things:

– Help balance gut pH.

– Boost nutrient absorption.

– Help prevent leaky gut.

– Butyrate help to reduce and fight the growth of colon cancer cells.

– Help support satiety and improve glucose and lipid metabolism.

– Reduce inflammation.

Eat Your Prebiotics

Eating more whole, plant-based foods is the healthiest way to get prebiotics in your diet. Also, the less they are cooked the greater the prebiotic content.

Examples:

Asparagus

Unripe bananas

Cabbage

Chickpeas

Fennel

Garlic

Jerusalem artichokes

Lentils

Onion

Oats

Watermelon

Pistachios