Pectin acts as a prebiotic in the colon by traveling intact to serve as food for beneficial gut bacteria, thereby improving the balance between which two dominant bacterial types?
Answer
Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes
When apple pectin reaches the colon undigested by human enzymes, it functions fundamentally as a prebiotic substance, meaning it selectively feeds the beneficial microorganisms residing there. This action is crucial for maintaining a robust and healthy internal ecosystem, as it specifically works to beneficially alter the gut microbiota. Scientific observation has shown this process leads to an improved balance between the two most dominant bacterial phyla found in the human gut: Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. A well-regulated balance between these two groups is linked to protection against several systemic issues, including obesity and heart disease.
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