8 Best Prebiotic-Rich Foods to Add Into Your Daily Diet

What are prebiotics and what do they do

Prebiotics are a group of fibers essential to gut health and a source of food for the gut bacteria. This promotes the growth of good gut bacteria, and thus, producing numerous health benefits such as improving gut health, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases like heart diseases, diabetes, and colon cancer.

Prebiotic-rich foods to include in your meals

1. Bananas

Bananas are healthy power snacks packed with nutrients such as vitamin C, B6, potassium, magnesium, dietary fiber and of course, prebiotics. Bananas, especially unripe bananas, are rich in indigestible carbohydrates, which are a good source of prebiotics for the gut bacteria.

2. Apples

Apples are not only delicious but are also rich in various types of nutrients, antioxidants, and fibre. One of the key components of apples is pectin, which is a type of soluble fiber. Pectin is used by the gut bacteria to produce a type of byproduct called Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFA), which are beneficial to gut health.

3. Prunes

Prunes are rich in dietary fibre and bioactive compounds called phenolic acids. Both have prebiotic effects and thus, prunes are commonly eaten to improve digestive health especially in relieving constipation and promoting healthy bowel movement.

4. Broccoli

The broccoli is not only a great source of iron, but also antioxidants, dietary fibre, and a type of phytonutrient called glucosinolate. This phytonutrient promotes healthy gut bacteria growth and increases the ratio of good bacteria to bad bacteria.

5. Almonds

Almonds are healthy energy snacks rich in calcium, vitamin E, healthy fats, protein, and fibre. Almonds also have prebiotic properties and thus, can help promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria beneficial to health, especially the digestive system.

6. Oats

Oats are rich in beta glucan, which is commonly known to help reduce high blood cholesterol levels. Besides that, oats can also act as prebiotics as it promotes the growth of good bacteria and the production of SCFA. These can help improve cholesterol levels as well.

7. Onions

Onions are a good source of inulin and fructooligosaccharides (FOS), which are prebiotics. Besides that, onions are also rich in antioxidants and possess anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral activity.

8. Soybeans

Soy beans are packed with various types of nutrients such as protein, antioxidants, and fibre. Besides that, soy beans are also rich in FOS, which can act as prebiotics.

References

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