Prebiotics as functional foods
Prebiotics are considered functional foods in that they provide numerous health benefits and aid in the prevention and treatment of diseases and health conditions.
Currently, there are three major types of prebiotics that are well documented: Inulin, oligosaccharides and arabinogalactans. Examples of food sources that contain prebiotics are:
Asparagus
Bananas
Carrots
Chicory root
Coconut meat and flour
Dandelion greens
Flax and chia seeds
Garlic
Jerusalem artichoke
Jicama
Leeks
Onions
Radishes
Tomatoes
Yams
Inulin and oligosaccharides are short-chain polysaccharides, or chains of carbs, which act at different locations in the colon, ensuring complete intestinal health. By increasing and maintaining the populations of good bacteria, the body is less susceptible to pathogenic bacteria and yeast that can lead to a diverse range of negative health consequences.
Source: naturalnews.com
