What role do specific carbohydrates in peas play for beneficial gut bacteria?

Answer

They act as prebiotics, feeding the bacteria residing in the colon.

The advantages peas offer to the gut extend beyond just providing bulk via fiber; they actively nourish the existing microbial community. Certain carbohydrates present in peas function specifically as prebiotics. Prebiotics are non-digestible food components that selectively stimulate the growth and/or activity of beneficial bacteria already present in the large intestine, known as the gut flora. When these prebiotic fibers are fermented by the thriving population of good bacteria, the metabolic byproducts include short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These SCFAs are essential compounds that help maintain the structural integrity of the intestinal lining and support overall immune and digestive function.

What role do specific carbohydrates in peas play for beneficial gut bacteria?

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