Table of contents:
- Prebiotics are different from probiotics
- What are the benefits of prebiotics for the body?
- Food sources of prebiotics are ...
Maybe you are more familiar with the probiotics that are found in yogurt. However, prebiotics are equally beneficial for the health of the body. Prebiotics are a type of fiber that is not easily digested, which is abundant in your daily diet.
Prebiotics are different from probiotics
Many mistakenly think that “prebiotics” and “probiotics” are the same thing, and are therefore often confused when they are called them. In fact, they are completely different.
Probiotics are good bacteria that inhabit the human intestine that function to maintain digestive health, while prebiotics are food for probiotics to continue to reproduce in the body.
What are the benefits of prebiotics for the body?
As explained above, prebiotics are nutritional intake for probiotics, colonies of good bacteria in your intestines. Because prebiotics are not easily digested, these fiber-shaped substances can reach the human intestine as a whole. Prebiotics help prebiotics reproduce to maintain smooth bowel movement and increase stool weight.
Prebiotics also increase their immunity against foreign substances. Apart from that, they also stimulate the growth of different bacteria such as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli in the intestines.
Some of the other benefits of foods high in prebiotics are:
- The prebiotic inulin can increase calcium absorption, especially in the large intestine.
- Certain prebiotics can increase the body's resistance to cancer cell development. In particular, the digestion of these prebiotic bacteria triggers the production of certain acids which are believed to be able to prevent certain forms of cancer.
- Diabetics are generally advised not to eat fructants and carbohydrates, but not with inulin. Since inulin is an indigestible form of fiber, consumption of foods high in prebiotics does not trigger changes in blood sugar levels. Inulin can be beneficial for diabetics because diabetes has the potential to cause one or more forms of cancer that can be prevented with inulin.
Food sources of prebiotics are …
Prebiotics are usually found in vegetables, nuts, and fruits. So, you can increase your prebiotic intake by eating more:
- Nuts and seeds
- Wheat
- Banana
- Berries
- Artichoke
- Asparagus
- Dandelion leaves
- Garlic
- Leek
- Red onion
In addition, this fibrous substance is also present in ready-to-eat foods such as:
- Cereals
- Biscuits
- Bread
- Jam
- Yogurt
Every day, a person is recommended to consume at least 5-8 servings of prebiotics. While this may be difficult, you can choose other alternatives to get an adequate daily intake of prebiotics - for example, with supplements.
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