What mechanism allows resistant starch in navy beans to benefit the gut microbiome specifically?

It bypasses digestion in the small intestine, traveling to the large intestine where it acts as a prebiotic, feeding beneficial bacteria.

The benefit of resistant starch, which navy beans contain in high amounts, lies precisely in its indigestibility by human enzymes in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Unlike typical starches that are rapidly hydrolyzed into glucose in the small intestine, resistant starch remains intact and travels onward to the large intestine. Once there, this undigested material functions as a powerful prebiotic, meaning it serves as a specific food source for the established population of beneficial bacteria within the gut microbiome. This slow fermentation process in the colon is highly advantageous, often resulting in less gas and bloating compared to other fibrous foods, while simultaneously supporting a healthier microbial environment.