Q: What are Prebiotics?
A: Prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients. Classed as dietary fibre, they are found in foods such as leeks, onions, garlic, bananas, asparagus, chicory and wholegrains (including wheat, rye, barley and oats). Because prebiotics are fermentable fibres, they help maintain gut functions.
Most importantly, prebiotics remain undigested until they reach the colon where they become an important food source for the 'good' bacteria in our gut, helping them to flourish and grow in numbers.
Q: Are Prebiotics the same as Probiotics?
A: No, Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can be found in various foods. When you eat probiotics, you will add these healthy bacteria to your intestinal tract. Common strains include Lactobacillis and Bifidobacterium families of bacteria. Prebiotics are non-digestible foods that make their way through our digestive system and help good bacteria grow and flourish. Prebiotics keep beneficial bacteria healthy.
Q: How do prebiotics contribute to our health and wellbeing?
A: Beneficial bacteria in our bodies help to defend it against potentially 'harmful' bacteria by competing for food and space and by changing the environment to a lower pH. The lower pH reduces the probability that 'harmful' bacteria will be able to reach sufficient numbers to cause illness as they cannot survive in this new environment. It is important to consume prebiotics everyday to help maintain a healthy balance of beneficial and harmful bacteria in our digestive system.
Q: What is Inulin, isn't that to do with diabetes?
A: Not to be confused with 'insulin', inulin is a carbohydrate - a long-chain sugar - that is used to store energy in the roots of certain plants, like starch stores the energy in potatoes.
Q: Why is inulin Prebiotic?
A: Inulin improves the health of the colon by feeding healthy bifidobacteria in the intestine, helps with mineral absorption, and may even combat cancer.
Q: What are the best ways to get Prebiotics?
A: It's much easier to take a prebiotic supplement, however, prebiotics can also be found in some dietary supplements and processed foods, such as yoghurt and meal replacement bars.
Q: Can I take too many Prebiotics?
A: How much is too much? Experiments suggest that adults can consume up to 30 grams a day without side effects. Higher doses are associated with gas and intestinal discomfort. Doses exceeding 30 grams / day might also benefit the bad bacteria living in your intestinal tract (Gibson and Rastall 2004).
Q: Are there any side effects?
A: Be aware that prebiotics have been known to cause flatulance in some individuals.
Q: I have IBS, should I take prebiotics?
A: Medical and nutritional researchers still have a lot to learn about prebiotics. But evidence so far seems to indicate that prebiotics can improve colon health and bowel function, including problems caused by colitis and irritable bowel syndrome
Q: How Many Chewyz a day should I take?
A: Chewyz are great for snacking anytime of day, but eat in moderation, we recommend no more than 6 Chewyz per day.
