Insoluble & Soluble Dietary Fiber
Two primary types of dietary fiber move through the gut to the large intestine. Insoluble fiber passes through the gastrointestinal system as bulk, supporting laxation and bowel regularity. In contrast, soluble fiber resists digestion by gastric enzymes and is instead fermented in the gut by beneficial bacteria. These indigestible fibers, called prebiotics, promote probiotic growth and support a healthier, more balanced microbiome with numerous health benefits.1
Why Care About a Healthy Microflora?
Feeding the beneficial gut bacteria with prebiotics is what leads to key benefits. We have up to 1000 different species of bacteria living in the colon, and emerging research patterns show how the complex nature of this ecosystem can support our human health.1
The most obvious improvement related to prebiotic consumption is gut health, including laxation and regularity. Moreover, the fermentation process generates favorable growth of the microflora. This helps reduce the presence of potentially harmful bacteria and enhance the diversity of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are beneficial for overall human health. Additionally, SCFAs and other known factors may be absorbed into the bloodstream, delivering powerful health benefits elsewhere in the body. Examples of those include the following:
Immunity
Healthy microflora promotes improved gut barrier function, a critical element of the body’s immune system, as this part of the body interacts with the outside elements through all that we consume.
Metabolic Health
Clinically proven prebiotic products have the potential to provide a natural and sustainable metabolic or weight loss complement/alternative to popular GLP-1 medications like Ozempic or Wegovy. Through glucagon-like peptides that regulate appetite in the brain, prebiotic fibers can improve insulin response and satiety.
Gut-Brain Axis
The gut-brain axis refers to the profound connection between gut bacteria and the nervous system. Bacteria can produce chemicals that influence our neurological, emotional, and behavioral health. In fact, disruptions in the gut-brain axis are associated with various symptoms including anxiety, constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and exacerbated symptoms of mood swings and cognitive disorders. Additional research is needed to determine the role of prebiotics in supporting the gut-brain axis, but studies indicate a potential role in managing cognition, anxiety, and depression.
Reduced Risk Factors for Chronic Disease
Protective effects from dietary fibers have long been associated with lowering some risk factors for cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. These may be related to lesser inflammation, lower serum lipids like cholesterol and better glucose control, all seen with improved dietary fiber intake.
Optimizing Gut Health with Prebiotic Fiber
Most consumed foods are low in dietary fiber and, overall, Americans do not meet recommendations for fiber intake. To help people fill this need, more foods and beverages are being formulated with functional prebiotic fibers.
Arrabina, a Wheat Fiber Extract prebiotic ingredient, is better tolerated by the gut than other common prebiotic fiber ingredients like inulin. In fact, results from a double-blind, randomized clinical trial confirm that consumers can take up to 15 grams per day of Arrabina with no negative gut or bowel reaction.2
As consumers gain a deeper understanding of how the gut microbiome influences overall health and well-being, the demand for diverse biotics offering targeted and measurable health benefits is poised for significant growth.
Read more on the science behind Arrabina here.
References:
1-Slavin. Fiber and Prebiotics: Mechanisms and Health Benefits. Nutrients. 2013 Apr 22;5(4):1417–1435. doi: 10.3390/nu5041417.
2-Chen, et al. The Effect of Arabinoxylan on Gastrointestinal Tolerance in Generally Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study, >, Volume 5, Issue Supplement_2, June 2021, Page 304.
3-ISAPP. Understanding Prebiotics and Fiber. Accessed 2.10.25.
4- Carabotti, et al. The Gut-Brain Axis: Interactions Between Enteric Microbiota, Central and Enteric Nervous Systems. Ann Gastroenterol. 2015 Apr-Jun;28(2):203–209.
5-Raskov, et al. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5046167/Irritable Bowel Syndrome, The Microbiota and The Gut-Brain Axis. Gut Microbes. 2016 Jul 29;7(5):365–383. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2016.1218585.
6- Pusceddu, et al.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5958897/ Targeting the Microbiota, from Irritable Bowel Syndrome to Mood Disorders: Focus on Probiotics and Prebiotics. Curr Pathobiol Rep. 2018 Feb.12;6(1):1–13. doi: 10.1007/s40139-018-0160-3.
