Prebiotics are dietary fibres (carbohydrates) that pass through our digestive tract undigested. They stimulate the growth and function of beneficial gut bacteria and help restore gut balance. We often see inulin fibre listed as one of the main ingredients for supporting gut balance, but acacia and baobab fibres are also an excellent combination for getting the gut back on track! A brief introduction:
Acacia fibres are very important for healthy gut flora and regular bowel movements. They cleanse the intestines, stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria in the large intestine and act as a food source (prebiotics) for probiotics. As fibre has a satiating effect, it also fits very well into weight-loss formulas or meal replacements. In addition, acacia is rich in calcium, which in turn aids digestion and helps release energy from food.
The baobab, for example, has a rich history. In Africa, the baobab – also known as the monkey bread tree – is called the ‘Tree of Life’. It is a remarkable tree, as it uses its thick trunk to store water during the rainy season to produce fruit in drier times. People and animals have been making grateful use of everything the tree provides for thousands of years. As well as the bark and leaves having many uses, the fruit is a true superfood!
Source of nutrients
Baobab is naturally rich in vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, potassium, antioxidants, amino acids and dietary fibre, and can offer many health benefits:
– Boosts your immune system and reduces fatigue thanks to its high vitamin C content (baobab actually contains more vitamin C than an orange)
– The fibre content aids healthy
digestion – Improves skin condition
The fibres from both acacia and baobab are low FODMAP, which means that these fibres contain few short-chain carbohydrates and can therefore be better absorbed by the small intestine. As a result, these fibres cause far fewer gut complaints (flatulence, bloating, etc.) than, for example, inulin and FOS (fructo-oligosaccharides).
In short, baobab and acacia are ideal as prebiotic powders and can be easily mixed into liquids, smoothies and desserts, for example. Interested in a product containing this versatile ingredient? We’d be happy to advise you.
