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What exactly are prebiotics and what are the health benefits?

Courtesy of brands / Gabrielle Langdon
What are prebiotic foods?
Whole foods are the ideal source of prebiotics, saysAmanda Baker Lemein, MS, RD, LDN.
The tasty vanilla flavor is another bonus.

Best for Constipation: Garden of Life Dr.
Formulated Organic Fiber
Garden of Life Dr.
The outer capsule is actually the prebiotic!

Its made from Indian pomegranate whole fruit extract, which has antioxidant benefits, too, Largeman-Roth says.
It can also help with IBS and SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), she says.
Largeman-Roth also appreciates that these pills come in a refillable jar.

The product is GMP compliant and free of common allergens, and variousclinical trialsback up the companys claims.
Alexa M., a graphic designer, has also noticed more consistent BMs with Seed.
I like the routine.

I dont think all the time, oh my stomach is upset anymore.
Known for producing high-quality and effective supplements, Thorne is a reputable manufacturer that Ajmera highly recommends.
This powder is pretty affordable, to boot.

It also includes several strains for gut health and 75 mg of prebiotic fiber.
Largeman-Roth appreciates that its formulated specially for womens health issues.
The capsules are chocolate-flavored, which might make them a bit easier to take.

I wanted a subscription one that was a bit more simple.
Ritual offered a nice multivitamin and pre-pro combo, but didnt venture to push much else.
And those made me nauseous.

These little guys are individually packaged and super easy to take on the go.
The easily dissolvable powder means you could take it with just water or even mix it into foods.
Unfortunately, traveling can wreak havoc on your digestion, often causing constipation due to changes in your routine.

The clear product mixes in with water or juice and doesnt have a flavor.
If you like flavor, they also have a strawberry lemonade option.
How do prebiotics impact gut health and overall health?

What are the downsides to taking prebiotics?
Why might you want to take a prebiotic?
Too muchortoo little prebiotic fiber can cause stomach issues.

Is it better to take prebiotics or probiotics?
Its not that one is better than the other.
They have a different function and purpose and work best together.

What time of day should I take prebiotics?
I recommend first thing in the morning or right before bed, says Glassman.
What should you look for in a prebiotic supplement?

Trustworthy companies will make their manufacturing process transparent and the research they cite easily accessible.
Youll also want to look into how much prebiotic fiber the product contains.
Third-party certifications are also a great sign.

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