Prebiotics and their health benefits

Abstract

The diversity of microorganism species found in the human body since birth and their distribution in different systems are defined as microbiota. The healthy and balanced microbiota has predominantly bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. The use of probiotics and prebiotics in addition to lifestyle measures to maintain the microbiota balance has become more and more researched and preferred methods. Prebiotic; are non-digestible food components that beneficially affect the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of microbiota elements in the colon, thereby improving host health. Studies have shown that prebiotics have a positive effect on the colon, immunological system, glucose and lipid metabolism, absorption of some minerals, and the relationship between nutrition and health has come to the fore, and it has become necessary to have more information about these components. With this review article, it is aimed to give information about prebiotics.