We tend to think of bacteria as harmful, but our colon has millions of naturally occurring bacteria that are vital to good health. Not only do they help to protect the colon from disease-causing bacteria, they help the body to produce short-chain fatty acids. Certain foods, known as probiotics and prebiotics, support the balance of bacteria in the colon to favor the 'good' type.
Probiotic foods contain naturally occurring live beneficial bacteria, such as bifidobacterium lactobacillus and lactococcus. You'll find them in certain yoghurts, yoghurt drinks and milk drinks and some dietary supplements - check the product labels.
Prebiotics are types of carbohydrate that the digestive system can't break down. They help feed the good bacteria in the digestive system and may also help to strengthen the immune system. The main types are fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and insulin.
You can raise your intake of prebiotics by eating foods that naturally contain them, such as onions, leeks, oats and bananas, or foods fortified with them, such as certain cereals, breads, yogurts and yogurt drinks - again, check the labels.
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