The gut “microbiome” (the bacteria in your intestines) is nourished by meals that are rich in soluble fiber (“resistant starch”). Most starch is easily digested. Starch is dissolved in the small intestine, and then absorbed by your body, providing you with energy and nutrients. However, some starch (soluble fiber) can’t be digested by the body but becomes food for the gut bacteria.

The soluble fiber continues its journey through your gut and arrives at the large intestine undigested. There, the soluble fiber is exposed to the healthy bacteria of the gut microbiome. This species of bacteria specializes in breaking down soluble fiber. This breakdown process provides the bacteria with the fuel they need to survive.

As the bacteria use the soluble fiber for energy, they release small carbohydrate molecules. The neighboring bacteria feed on these carbohydrates. As those bacteria feed, they excrete even smaller molecules as waste. One of the final waste products is called butyrate, an energy source for your body. As the butyrate builds up, it is absorbed by the large intestine. The presence of butyrate encourages blood to flow into the vessels of the large intestine, keeping the tissue healthy. If your diet includes enough soluble fiber, these cells will use butyrate as their main source of energy.

In addition, butyrate has other benefits.

Intestinal cells are sensitive to DNA damage caused by toxic foods and artificial ingredients. This damage may accumulate over time as the cells divide, which could lead to colon cancer. However, a steady supply of butyrate allows the damage to be more easily detected and the cell can activate a “suicide program” in response. Because the damaged cell destroys itself, it can’t progress to form a cancer. A starved microbiome is unable to protect you from cancer. By eating foods rich in soluble fiber, you can nourish your microbiome and improve your health.*

For a healthy microbiome, MicrobeFiber™ offers pure ingredients without additives.*