Just like little seedlings need fertiliser to grow, so do the trillions of good bacteria inside us that do so much to look after us. ‘Fertiliser’ for our gut microbes = PREbiotics!
Prebiotics are essentially food that feeds our good bacteria (not to be confused for probiotics, which is the live bacteria itself) and they’re linked to…
- Improving blood sugar control and regulating appetite.
- Supporting bone health and skin health.
- Supporting our immune system – in fact, there’s pretty convincing evidence that prebiotics can reduce your risk of needing antibiotics, particularly in kids and the elderly.
Which prebiotic supplement do I recommend? The simple answer is… none! (with a few exceptions in the clinical setting)
They’re found in over 35,000 types of plants – the foods we eat every day. Good sources include dates, nectarines, dried mango, watermelon, onion, artichoke, asparagus, garlic, pistachios, almonds, chickpeas & other legumes…and many more.
Another part of why VARIETY and DIVERSITY are king! Hitting your 30 plant points a week with lots of plant goodness packed with naturally-occurring prebiotics is absolutely the best way to nourish your gut health for most people. And yes, many FODMAPs are prebiotics… another reason why the low FODMAP diet shouldn’t be used without qualified support.
