What are prebiotic drinks?
Prebiotic drinks are a category of beverages that are infused with prebiotics. So what exactly are prebiotics?
Prebiotics are the non-digestible food components that stimulate the growth or activity of beneficial bacteria in your gut. Prebiotics are found in many plant sources, including artichokes, asparagus, bananas (ripe and unripe), barley, garlic, leeks and onions.
Other foods like oats and chia seeds contain prebiotic compounds called oligosaccharides. These can be digested by intestinal bacteria to produce beneficial compounds that are used by the body. Scientists have known for decades that people who eat diets rich in prebiotic fiber tend to be healthier than those who mostly eat processed foods with little or no plant fiber.
The most well-known prebiotic is a fiber called inulin, found in many foods, including bananas and garlic.
How are prebiotics different from probiotics?
Both prebiotics and probiotics are important components that contribute to gut health, so it’s understandable that they can get confused for one another. However, there is a clear distinction between them.
Prebiotics selectively feed the healthy bacteria in your colon while probiotics are live “friendly” bacteria and yeasts. In other words, prebiotics are the food for probiotics.
What are the health benefits of prebiotic drinks?
Prebiotics (as well as probiotics) are sometimes called functional foods because they can provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. In beverage form, prebiotics can also provide these health benefits which include
- lowering cholesterol
- reducing inflammation
- reducing the risk of colon cancer and colitis
- improving immune response
- enhancing digestion
- reducing blood pressure
- promoting satiety
- increasing absorption of minerals in the intestines
- improving overall promotion of health
What are prebiotic drink brands?
- GoLive – prebiotic & probiotic drink powders
- KeVita – prebiotic shots
- Mayawell – prebiotic sodas
- Poppi – prebiotic sodas
- Remedy – prebiotic shots
- Wanu – prebiotic water
Where can I get prebiotic drinks?
You can get prebiotic drinks online, at specialty health stores or at health-conscious grocery stores and supermarkets like Sprouts and Whole Foods.