Prebiotics

Prebiotics are foods, usually high-fibre and non-digestible, that feed or aid the microorganisms that live in the gut. They are plant-based in origin like; beta-glucans (from oats), inulin (from chicory root, artichoke or agave) and resistant starches from bananas, beans and grains. They can bypass the stomach acid and other digestive enzymes and reach the gut, where the microorganisms are, they then help stimulate the growth of more bacteria.

The International Scientific Association of Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) defines a prebiotic as, "a substrate that is selectively utilised by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit".

Compare with Probiotics and Postbiotics.