Prebioitics

In a previous Friday Challenge article, we explored fermented foods and checked out a TED talk on the microbiome. With the popularity of fermented foods for gut health increasing, health experts have expanded the concept to include "prebiotics" - the food source for the good bacteria you are ingesting.

Simply put, "prebiotics" are non-digestible food sources that pass through to the intestines and serve as a food source or substrate for the bacteria to thrive on. Without a suitable living environment, the precious bacteria aren't able to proliferate and help us digest our foods.

The best prebiotic source is the dietary fibre called "inulin". While you can purchase capsules of inulin fibre at the pharmacy, you'll be happy to learn that many vegetables have an inluin fibre component. These include artichokes, leeks, onions, garlic, bananas and asparagus, among others.

The Chicory Root has the highest concentration of inulin of all edible plants and is a potent antioxidant.

Check out LifeFromtheGroundUp's article on Chicory Root as a caffeine-free coffee alternative.

#health #nutrition #prebiotic