Chocho as a Prebiotic

Probiotics are often the star of the gut health conversation, but it's important to not forget about prebiotics. Prebiotics are a type of dietary fiber and are an equally important component of a diet for a healthy gut. While probiotics provide your gut with bacteria, prebiotics are foods for the bacteria which help keep your digestive system happy. Read on to learn more about how prebiotics can help you thrive and how Mikuna Chocho Superfood Protein feeds the good bacteria in your gut. 

PREBIOTIC BASICS//

Prebiotics are a kind of dietary fiber that humans cannot digest. This type of fiber is found in many fiber-rich fruits, vegetables and legumes. When consumed, prebiotics go through our system undigested, and when they reach our gut, the bacteria “consumes” them. The bacteria in our gut ferments the prebiotics into short chain fatty acids. These fatty acids are then used to provide energy for the cells lining the wall of the gut. When we feed our gut bacteria prebiotics, we are able to help the bacteria produce these short chain fatty acid nutrients for our colons which result in optimal digestive function. 

BENEFITS OF PREBIOTICS//

In addition to helping our colons and digestive systems function optimally, consuming prebiotics helps you absorb calcium by making it more bioavailable through prebiotic-microbe interactions in the large intestine. Prebiotics may alter the composition of the gut microbiome, aid in the production of short chain fatty acids, alter intestinal pH, and regulate the immune system--all which contribute to increased calcium absorption in the lower intestines. Prebiotics may also help to regulate blood sugar, and the supplementation of prebiotics may help those with conditions like type 2 diabetes better manage their health.

WHERE TO FIND PREBIOTICS//

Prebiotics can be found in many natural sources such as fruits, vegetables, and legumes (like the chocho in our Mikuna Chocho Superfood Protein!). Some of the best sources of prebiotics include garlic, onions, chicory root, and legumes. You can also find foods that contain prebiotic supplements such as inulin, fructooligosaccharides, galacto-oligosaccharides, oligofructose, and resistant starch, or chicory root extract. These food extracts provide prebiotics, however people with preexisting conditions like IBS or SIBO may want to take caution before consuming foods rich in prebiotics as they may exacerbate symptoms like gas and bloating. 

PREBIOTICS IN CHOCHO//

Chocho is a legume and therefore is a good source of prebiotics. At MIKUNA, we remove all anti-nutrients through an extensive dehydration process. With 7g of fiber per serving you can rest assured you are feeding your gut bacteria quality prebiotics. And, if you are looking to maximize the prebiotic benefits of chocho, consider trying our Mikuna Chocho Superfood Protein Cacao blend. Cacao breaks down in the colon and produces nitric oxide which benefits the cardiovascular system, and the flavanols in cacao, which are associated with flourishing healthy gut bacteria, have powerful prebiotic benefits. 

PREBIOTIC CHUNKY MONKEY SMOOTHIE//

1 cup oat milk (more or less to desired consistency)

1 scoop Mikuna Chocho Superfood Protein Cacao 

1.5 frozen bananas 

1 tbsp flax seeds 

1 tbsp cacao powder

1 tbsp peanut butter or nut/seed butter of choice

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