BioWhen it comes to gut health, there’s a lot of hype about probiotics – but what about the benefits of prebiotics? Research on prebiotics is expanding rapidly, but studies show promising results. By consuming prebiotic foods, you may reduce your chance of developing chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes.
So what exactly are prebiotics? Prebiotics act like fertilizer for beneficial bacteria in your gut. They provide food for these bacteria and enable them to thrive. You can find them in foods like Jerusalem artichoke, banana, and oats. Probiotics, on the other hand, are microorganisms that are beneficial for gut health.
Multiple studies back up the evidence on probiotics, but research into prebiotics is relatively new. We’ll take a closer look at what the science tells us about the benefits of prebiotics and weigh up the evidence so far. Plus, find out five ways to improve gut health and ‘what is leaky gut?’ here at Live Science.
