You’ve undoubtedly heard of probiotics and it's likely that you are taking probiotic supplements or yogurt drinks that boost the amount of good bacteria in the gut. But what are prebiotics? Currently, the definition of a prebiotic is that of compounds in food that promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms.

Essentially, prebiotics feed the useful bacteria (probiotics) that are found in our gut and are essential for good, internal physical health. A type of fiber, prebiotics are commonly found in the gut and digestive system such as the GI tract and colon whereby they serve to be used by friendly bacteria found in those places.

The main benefits of prebiotics are that they:

• Feed the Body’s Probiotic Organisms

• Promote a Healthy Diet

• Boost Energy and the Immune System

As a food source for probiotics, prebiotics are able to help useful bacteria flourish and continue to provide their support for your body while prebiotics passively encourage a healthier diet because of the foods they are commonly found in and regular intake of these foods help boost energy levels and the immune systems as result of the medicinal nutrients contained therein.

Feed the Body’s Probiotic Organisms

Composed mainly of fiber, prebiotics serve as a food source for probiotic bacteria found in the gut. The intake of prebiotic foods aids an active lifestyle by assisting any existing probiotics to consume their food source and get on with their job of maintaining a healthy digestive system that works properly and requires less energy.

Because of the acidic environment of the digestive system that is used to break down the food that we eat, prebiotics feed the probiotic microbes so that they can withstand the harsh environment and serve their purpose. You can try taking Sugar Shift 1-2 times a day and experience a natural metabolic shift that brings restoration to your body. Lack of probiotics can cause severe health issues such as acid reflux, diarrhea and infections.

Promote a Healthy Diet

As an added bonus to assisting your body's probiotic growth and maintenance, the act of consuming prebiotic-rich foods provides a passive healthy dietary plan since all prebiotic-rich foods are among some of the healthiest that you can eat. However, incorporating some of these requires specific, prebiotic-rich recipes.

Those on a gluten free diet will miss out on the prebiotic benefits of barley and oats but prebiotics can be found in other food sources such leeks, garlic and onion. Surprisingly, not many fruits are rich with prebiotics but bananas are a rich source as are beans, peas and lentils that can be easily incorporated into many dishes. 

Boost Energy and the Immune System

Probiotics and prebiotics are vital when it comes to internal digestion health, but they do also provide other benefits as well. Some benefits of an active lifestyle come from the promotion of probiotics through their interaction with prebiotics, but most come from consuming the foods in which they are found.

A healthy gut alone aids with digestion but an efficient system can also reduce headaches, lethargy and muscle pains since less energy is required for digestion and the body can therefore concentrate on doing other jobs well. In addition, a stronger gut helps boost the immune systems against harmful viruses and food intolerances such as lactose or gluten.