Prebiotics

Nutrients for probiotic bacteria; see also probiotics for restoring the microbiome, e.g.,inulin or oligofructose. These can be consumed in capsule or powder form, or through foods such as cooked potatoes (after cooling for 24 hours), as well as oats, bananas,onions, garlic, leeks, asparagus, chicory, or soybeans.

The combination of prebiotics and probiotics is known as synbiotics. 

Prebiotics are resistant to stomach acid, hydrolysis, and absorption in the upper digestive tract. In contrast, they are fermented by the gut flora and selectively stimulate the microbiome.

1. Slavin J (2013) Fiber and Prebiotics: Mechanisms and Health Benefits. Nutrients 5, 1417–1435. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu5041417
2. Roberfroid M et al. (2011) Prebiotic Effects: Metabolic and Health Benefits. Br J Nutr, 104, S1–S63