You are what you eat ! A healthy gut all starts with feeding it the right foods. You have properly often heard of probiotics (foods or supplements that contain live microorganisms to improve the “good” bacteria in the body.) and all the amazing benefits they have for your overall health. But did you know prebiotics are just as important?

Prebiotics are specialized plant fibers. They feed your friendly gut bacteria and act like fertilizers that stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut to improve digestion and overall gut health.(1)

Prebiotics are found in many fruits and vegetables, especially those that contain complex carbohydrates, such as fiber and resistant starch. These carbs are not digestible by your body, so they pass through the digestive system to become food for the bacteria and other microbes. Some tasty and delicious prebiotic foods include bananas, apples, berries, asparagus, mushrooms, oats, legumes, onions, garlic and sweet potatoes.

Now that we know how great prebiotics are for the health of our gut bacteria, we can’t just stop here. Prebiotics are filled full of many other important health benefits. Let’s see the other surprising benefits of prebiotics that you have never ever think about it!

• Keep your gut healthy and happy Prebiotics can keep your gut healthy and improve overall digestion. These fibrous foods help

maintain a healthy gastrointestinal system by increasing the presence and diversity of good bacteria.They can increase the presence and diversity of “good” bacteria that help ward off pathogens in your intestinal tract and help to rude the risk of leaky gut syndrome, irritable bowel

syndromes , bloating, constipation and other intestinal issues.(2)

Prebiotics help probiotics recolonize in the gut. When your body is able to properly absorb nutrients, it helps you convert food into energy more readily. For example, study showed prebiotics protecting your bones by boosting absorption of vital minerals such as calcium and magnesium which are needed for bone health.(3)

Eating tons of plant fibers (prebiotics) can help you stay fuller longer and reduce excess food craving and calorie intake. Thus, you can stay on track with your weight loss goals. Prebiotic fibers’ ability to absorb water helps “fill” the stomach more readily, which in turn blocks the

hunger hormone ghrelin for greater appetite control.[4] In other words, prebiotics are great for weight loss, prevention of obesity and maintain balanced energy levels.

Our gut wall houses about 70% of our immune system cells. Clinical study showed one of the beneficial effects of prebiotics is the stimulation of the immune system and keeps inflammation down.(5) When our gut is functioning at full power, it acts as a barrier to viruses, bacteria, and

pathogens. Prebiotics, together with probiotics helps to maintain healthy gut , which in turn reduce allergies and infections while boosting overall immunity. They also help our bodies absorb essential nutrients, which gives the body energy to keep immune function running

smoothly.

Regular amounts of prebiotics in your diet can help promote a better balance of gut bacteria and help the body recover following a stressful event. Study has shown that people who consume food rich in prebiotics are less susceptible to anxiety and stress.(6) This has been

attributed to the low levels of cortisol that is associated with the increase in fiber intake.

People who eat a diet rich in prebiotics have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Prebiotics are known to have a hypocholesterolemic effect in which they are effective in improving lipid profiles, including the reduction of serum/plasma total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and

triglycerides or increment of HDL-cholesterol. Getting a daily recommended dose of prebiotics (4-6 grams) helps to reduce glycation, a known cause for increased free radicals in the body that cause cardiovascular disease.(7)