PREBIOTICS | OVERVIEW - Biology Ease

Prebiotics Meaning

Prebiotics are classified as the non-digestible food ingredients ie. a type of dietary fiber which is used in the gut to increase populations of healthy bacteria that aids to digestion.

Prebiotics and Probiotics

Probiotics are the live microorganisms which are beneficial for gut health that ultimately provide major health benefits. These are good bacteria that helps in good digestion. It has been a therapy to treat diarrhoea. The major food that contains probiotics is yogourt, kefir, Sauerkraut, etc.

Prebiotics

Prebiotics are majorly dietary fiber that acts as a fuel to gut bacteria which feed on it and is beneficial for health.

Various types of microorganisms, known as gut microflora, that are inhabitants of the human gastrointestinal tract.
It has been found that there are 10¹⁰–10¹² live microorganisms per gram inside the human colon.
The resident microbial groups in the stomach, small, and large intestine are important for better human health.
Most of these microorganisms, which are mostly anaerobes, live in the large intestine.

There are some endogenous factors, such as mucin secretions, which can affect the microbial balance, a human diet is the major source of energy for their growth.
Particularly, non-digestible carbs can highly modify the composition and function of gut microflora.
Beneficial intestinal microbes ferment these non-digestible dairy substances know as prebiotics and obtain their survival energy from degrading indigestible binds of prebiotics.

Types Of Prebiotics

There are many sorts of prebiotics. the bulk of them are a subset of carbohydrate groups and are mostly oligosaccharide carbohydrates (OSCs).

FRUCTANS

This group consists of inulin and fructo-oligosaccharide or oligofructose. structure of those Fructans could be a linear chain of fructose with β(2→1) linkage.
They sometimes have terminal glucose units with β(2→1) linkage. Inulin has DP of up to 60, while the DP of FOS is a smaller amount than 10

GALACTO OLIGOSACCHARIDES (GOS),

These products of lactose extension, are distinguished into two prebiotics.
The GOS with excess galactose at C3, C4 or C6.
The GOS manufactured from lactose through enzymatic trans-glycosylation. Starch and Glucose-Derived.

OLIGOSACCHARIDES

These are class of starch that’s proof against the upper gut digestion referred to as resistant starch (RS).
RS can increase the health by producing a high level of butyrate; so it’s been suggested to be differentiated as a prebiotic

PREBIOTICS FOOD

CHICORY ROOT

Chicory root is a major source of prebiotic fiber inulin. Inulin exhibit gut bacteria, which aids digestion and reduces constipation.
Chicory roots are reported to induce hypocholesterolemic, protect against hepatocellular damage and inhibit lipid peroxidation.

ONIONS

Onions are immune-boosting foods rich in fructans. They comprise inulin and FOS, which strengthen the digestive flora and help with fat breakdown.
Raw onions also contain chromium. This boosts insulin production, vitamin C, and quercetin, which fights off free radicals.

OATMEAL

Whole oats are rich in beta-glucan fibers and resistant starch and are an honest source of prebiotics.
Oats increase healthy bacteria, which improves overall digestion.

DANDELION GREENS.

Dandelion greens support gut flora because it contains constituents, like inulin that acts as a prebiotic.
Dandelion also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities that cause diverse biological effects.

BANANAS.

Bananas are stuffed with decent reasonably vitamins, minerals, fiber, and prebiotics.
The marginally unripe quite bananas contain the most effective concentration of resistant starch and prebiotics, which boost healthy gut bacteria and help to urge obviate bloating.

BARLEY

Barley is also a cereal grain with high β-glucan levels, which boost the degree of beneficial bacteria in our gut.
β-glucans have also been proven to possess immune-modulating properties and beneficial effects on obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cholesterol levels.

APPLES

Apples The prebiotic effect of Apples is due to pectin, which is useful for the event of fermentative processes within the bowel.

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