Call it the “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”. Nutritionists and food scientists have long known that - just like movies, neighbours and the weather - there is both good and bad. The same is true for bacteria. Bad bacteria cause ill health and require corrective attention. Good bacteria are beneficial and can contribute to our health and wellbeing.

Probiotic and Prebiotic Food Ingredients

Good bacteria of the edible type are called probiotics and prebiotics. “Pro” means in favour of, promoting. “Biotics” means life. Therefore, probiotics promote healthy living. Probiotics have been known to humankind for thousands of years in the form of live yogurt cultures. These cultures contribute good bacteria into the human digestive system.

Prebiotics explained

Prebiotics become beneficial bacteria after they are consumed. “Pre” indicates before, meaning the ingredient as it is consumed is not an active culture. However, prebiotics stimulate the growth of active beneficial cultures when they reach the intestine by interacting with the body’s natural digestive system.

Symbiotic relationship

Prebiotics, like probiotics, assist in maintaining a balanced bacterial “flora” or ecosystem in the intestine. When prebiotics and probiotics are combined, an added health ‘bonus’ is achieved. The two food ingredients become symbiotics combining the effect of the new good bacteria from the probiotics and the stimulation of the body’s-own good bacteria by the prebiotics. Find out more about these health- promoting food ingredients, probiotics and prebiotics.

Inulin

Inulin, a prebiotic, is the key ingredient in Wellness Bread. It is the best (and some researchers believe the only) source of prebiotic. Inulin is found in more than 35,000 well-known and popular plants and vegetables such as bananas, onions and chicory. It is a white, semi crystalline substance similar in appearance to starch with a mildly sweet taste.

The Inulin used in Wellness Bread is extracted from the chicory plant and is carefully blended into the bakery products to maximize the benefit. When consumed in Wellness Bread, Inulin nourishes good bacteria in the intestine creating a healthy balance in the digestive system. Find out more about Inulin.