ABSTRACT
The popularity of gut health in the wellness industry has allowed the rapid expansion of products that support beneficial microbes. Prebiotic compounds cannot be digested in the human stomach and small intestine and instead pass through to the large intestine. Prebiotics enrich a particular category of bacteria in the large intestine that is proven beneficial to gut health. Several products on the market of undefined composition claim prebiotic capabilities. Prebiotics must cause particular types of changes in gut microbial communities and stimulate the growth of beneficial gut microbes. In addition, prebiotics should be resistant to gastric acidity and mammalian digestive enzymes, allowing them to enter the colon intact. This chapter focuses on the nondigestible food ingredients/metabolites, with an evidence-based approach demonstrating stimulation of the growth and metabolism of beneficial gut microbes.
