You may have heard of probiotics, but did you know that prebiotics are also essential for good gut health? We’ll discuss some important health benefits of prebiotic powder and review five top sources of this powerful health supplement.
While the word “bacteria” may not evoke images of health and wellness, good bacteria are actually essential for maintaining gut health. To promote better gut health and overall well-being, consider incorporating a prebiotic powder into your daily diet. Trust your gut and nourish it with the nutrients it needs to thrive.
The Best Prebiotic Powder: 5 Top Brands Reviewed is an original (BetterNutritionNews) article.
Benefits of prebiotic powder
The brain may be the most important organ in the human body, controlling the central nervous system, but it cannot work properly without help from the gut. The neurotransmitters that enable the body to function rely on the enteric nervous system, which sends signals from the brain to all major organs, including the intestinal tract. Our digestive system, when working properly, is designed to absorb nutrients and convert food into energy.
The human gut is lined with microscopic organisms and bacteria or microbiomes. Encouraging healthy bacteria growth and reducing unhealthy bacteria requires prebiotics, which are specialized plant fibers that serve as a substrate for healthy bacteria in the gut. A prebiotic powder offers several benefits:
- Regulates bowel movements
- Improves digestion and metabolism
- Helps the body absorb calcium for healthier bones
- Regulates blood sugar
- Stimulates the production of hormones that aid in appetite suppression
- Lowers inflammation in the body
- Strengthens the immune system
- Lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease
- Regulates moods and reduces stress hormone levels
- Reduces the risk of colon cancer
Prebiotics are found in everyday foods like berries, bananas, peas, beans, and onions. But many diets lack the right amount of these superfoods. That’s why it’s important to supplement with a prebiotic powder. However, with many available options, finding the best one can be a challenge.
The best prebiotic powder:
5 top brands
We’ll make it easier for your gut to break down the essential nutrients by breaking down the perks and drawbacks of the best prebiotic powders.We’ll grade each based on its effectiveness, price, ingredients, flavor, and certifications.
#5 Organic Acacia Powder: A can of this prebiotic powder sells for $20, but the dosage is tricky. The manufacturer – Heather’s Tummy Care – recommends you start slowly and gradually increase the dosage to 3-tablespoons a day. The prebiotic powder is effective in relieving constipation but may cause bloating and gas. It is certified as gluten-free, vegan, and FODMAP-friendly; notably, it only contains one type of fiber, and the company warns that the powder does not dissolve well in hot or ice-cold liquids.
#4 Onnit Total Gut Health: At $75 for a 2-week supply, Onnit Total Gut Health is one of the priciest prebiotics on the market. It is certified as vegan-friendly and contains fennel seed, ginger root extract, an AstraZyme blend, saccharomyces boulardii, betaine HCl, organic Jerusalem artichoke, organic dandelion, probiotic blend, vegetarian capsule, maltodextrin (to improve the flavor and shelf life), rice hull concentrate, MCT, and rice dextrin.
This prebiotic powder supplement is excellent at relieving constipation and comes in capsule form, so taste won’t be an issue. You won’t find any sugar, dairy, or gluten in this mixture of probiotic and prebiotic powder; however, each dose calls for seven capsules, and some people may find that hard to swallow.
#3 Primal Harvest Prebiotic Fiber: One bag of Primal Prebiotic will cost you about $40. It gets high marks for its organic ingredients, which include polyphenols, a prebiotic booster. It also contains organic baobab fiber, organic acacia gum fiber, green banana fiber, and apple fiber. The prebiotic powder has no taste, so you can conveniently combine it with hot or cold drinks. This product is certified as vegan, FODMAP-friendly, and gluten-free, but beware: Primal Harvest Prebiotic Fiber is manufactured in a facility that uses nuts, dairy, and gluten, so there’s always the possibility of cross-contamination.
#2: Performance Lab Prebiotic: A month’s supply of this prebiotic powder will cost you $44 or roughly $1.47 a serving. Performance Lab Prebiotics also contain a strain of probiotics that supports the digestive system and facilitates nutrient absorption in the gut. Since the powder comes inside a capsule, the taste isn’t an issue. Still, the recommended dosage involves taking three capsules before at least two meals daily, and some individuals may struggle to adhere to the twice-daily schedule.
One disadvantage of this product is that its ingredients consist of a rice concentrate and inulin-FOS (fructooligosaccharides) soluble fiber, which forms a gel in the digestive tract and can cause digestive irritation for certain individuals. The product is certified as vegan-friendly, non-GMO, and contains no gluten, dairy, sugar, or artificial additives.
#1 Healthy Truth Organic Go Green Energy Blend: at $45 for a one-month supply, this prebiotic powder is our top choice. For starters, it contains all-natural ingredients that we can pronounce and are familiar with, such as barley grass, beet juice powder, ginger, and coconut water powder (which is loaded with electrolytes).
In addition to the gut-boosting prebiotics, Healthy Truth’s Go Green Energy Blend contains antioxidants to boost your immune system. Company founder and chief creative officer Bruce Namenson points out, “95% of all western diseases are related to some kind of inflammatory condition in your body,” and his product is high in anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also 100% plant-based. “We’re certified organic, we’re certified gluten-free, and we’re certified kosher.”
The gut-wrenching truth about prebiotic powder
When choosing a prebiotic powder, it’s crucial to check the ingredients and how the powder is made. Prebiotics made from inulin should be raw and unprocessed because heating the product often robs it of essential vitamins and reduces its efficacy. It’s also advisable to avoid prebiotics or any other supplement with added sugars and flavoring. While it may be tempting to buy a prebiotic in a gummy form for better flavor and ease of consumption, those gummies typically contain a lot of sugar and processed ingredients. Trust your gut, and go with a natural prebiotic powder.
Further Reading For Additional Reference:
Cleveland Clinic: Gut-Brain Connection
Cleveland Clinic: How Your Gut Microbiome Impacts Your Health Gut
National Library of Medicine: Fiber and Prebiotics: Mechanisms and Health Benefits
Important Note: The information contained in this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be construed as health or medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or health condition. Before embarking on any diet, fitness regimen, or program of nutritional supplementation, it is advisable to consult your healthcare professional in order to determine its safety and probable efficacy in terms of your individual state of health.
Regarding Nutritional Supplements Or Other Non-Prescription Health Products: If any nutritional supplements or other non-prescription health products are mentioned in the foregoing article, any claims or statements made about them have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and such nutritional supplements or other health products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
