Which Foods Provide Prebiotics?
Prebiotics are a type of fermentable fiber that serves as food for probiotics. They help maintain digestive health and regularity by feeding probiotics. These indigestible carbohydrates are easily metabolized by the microflora in the gut.
Prebiotics are often paired with probiotics (beneficial bacteria) in supplements, and you can also choose certain foods to boost your daily intake. Since prebiotic is a type of fiber, it is only found in plants.
Sources of prebiotics include:
- chicory root
- pea fiber
- bananas (the greener, the better)
- cooked and cooled rice and pasta
- onions
- leeks
- garlic
- asparagus
- Jerusalem artichokes (sunchokes)
- apples
- dandelions
- barley
- flax seeds
- artichokes
- beans and other legumes
Choose the right prebiotic or probiotic for you.