Benefits of Prebiotic Fiber to the Digestive System and the Whole Body

In the past few years, prebiotic fiber has been touted as a highly effective element in terms of keeping the digestive system well-balanced and healthy. If the recent focus on prebiotics has piqued your interest and you want to learn more, read this brief report.

A better understanding of prebiotics

So, what are prebiotics? These are non-digestible food ingredients or a special kind of dietary fibers that serve as food to the good bacteria inherently found in our digestive system. They can be found in certain plants, including kiwi fruit, onion, garlic, artichoke, banana, chicory root, asparagus, leeks and a host of other botanical species.

Because they are non-digestible, they are able to reach the stomach without getting their original form altered or their effectiveness diminished. They are immune to the effects of manufacturing procedures, food treatment methods and stomach acid. Once they reach the gut, prebiotic fiber stimulates the growth and activity of the good bacteria found there to better protect the system from bad bacteria invasion that can result in digestive disorders.

The importance of a well-balanced digestive system

The digestive system is responsible for breaking down the food we eat and for distributing the nutrients they contain throughout our body. If there is something wrong in the gut, the whole body is affected since sustenance for every part of our anatomy comes from the gut. A healthy digestive tract is a well-balanced one, which means that the good bacteria should be functioning well and the unfriendly bacteria are not thriving in the stomach.

An imbalanced digestive tract can result in certain diseases, like gastroesophageal reflux disease, inflammatory bowel disorders, indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, urogenital infections and other gut-related issues. This imbalance can also manifest in other parts of the body, including having an unhealthy looking skin, a lack of energy and other health problems that can all be traced back to problems in the gut.

Daily need for prebiotics

Since prebiotics are highly effective in maintaining the balance in the gut, it is advisable to include foods that contain these ingredients in your daily diet. If the natural food selection is not to your liking, you can purchase food choices available in stores that contain prebiotics, like prebiotic bread and cereals.

For those who wish for a more convenient way of gaining the benefits of prebiotics, taking nutritional supplements made from these ingredients is also an option. Make sure though, that what you are getting is made from all-natural ingredients and the primary material used is a great source of prebiotic fiber, such as kiwi fruit and other plant species.