Prebiotics

Prebiotics are nondigestible carbohydrates that act as food for probiotics and stimulate the growth of beneficial gut microbiota. Because foods that contain these nondigestible carbohydrates, known as FODMAPs, are prebiotics, they support this good bacteria and help to maintain a healthy balance in the gut. A reduction of these foods generally improves IBS symptoms because they ferment and produce gas. However, recent studies conducted at King’s College in London and at Monash University in Australia have shown that individuals who stay on a diet that’s very low in FODMAPs for long stretches develop changes in their gut microbiota that result in lower levels of beneficial bacteria. The study of the gut microbiome is a relatively new area of research, and scientists don’t yet fully understand the implications of the long-term changes a low-FODMAP diet can cause to the balance of friendly bacteria. For that reason, staying on a very restricted, very low-FODMAP diet for an extended period or lifetime isn’t advisable (see Reintroducing FODMAPs). Nevertheless, there is no evidence to date that prebiotic supplements help with IBS and instead are more likely to instigate and exacerbate the symptoms of functional digestive disorders.