Prebiotics are a group of nutrients that act as food for the microbiota in the stomach. This process both encourages the growth of healthy gut bacteria and also releases compounds with a range of other beneficial effects into the body. Many plant foods contain prebiotics, and ongoing research continues to discover more.
Garlic
One of the easiest prebiotics to include in your diet is garlic. This savory, flavorful herb boasts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering effects, along with its ability to promote good gut health.
Many of these qualities stem from prebiotics like fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and inulin, a prebiotic dietary fiber. Thanks to these, garlic encourages the growth of Bifidobacteria and can inhibit bacteria responsible for diseases.
Recent research shows that garlic’s compounds also have anti-tumor properties, reduce the risk of cardiovascular conditions, and can lower blood glucose levels.