Fructooligosaccarides (FOS) and Inulin are naturally occurring prebiotics found in foods such as tomatoes, bananas, onions and artichoke hearts. Both FOS and Inulin are broken down (fermented) in the colon (large intestine).
After two weeks, the tomato-eating group had a measurable increase in both the numbers and diversity of beneficial microorganisms in their guts. These are hallmarks of gut health.
Some foods known to contain high amounts of prebiotics include apples, artichokes, asparagus, bananas, berries, green vegetables, legumes, onions, tomatoes and garlic.
Antioxidants and probiotics
Existing research also suggests that tomatoes have probiotic properties — that is, that they can boost the activity of healthful bacteria in the gut.
Avocados, oats, asparagus, onions and mangoes are all great prebiotic examples. One of the best-tasting prebiotic foods? Avocado.
Oats and barley contain the highest amount of the prebiotic fiber, beta-glucan, which has been found to reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and feed the gut bacteria. Both whole oats and barley can be turned into porridge or stewed overnight for a muesli-type breakfast packed with filling nutrients.
While both raw and cooked tomatoes are gut-healthy foods, cooked tomatoes seem to have more of a beneficial impact on the gut. This may be because the process of cooking helps lycopene maintain its integrity during digestion, so more of it gets absorbed. It's great news that tomatoes are such a gut healthy food!
Tomatoes can be part of your overall produce intake because of their healthful nutrients and compounds, such as lycopene, beta carotene and vitamin C, all of which act as antioxidants and exert anti-inflammatory effects in the body.
Take tomatoes, for example. They have lycopene and vitamin C that help curb inflammation.
Sweet potatoes are also a good source of prebiotics like oligosaccharides, which help improve the balance of your gut bacteria and overall gut health.
Blueberries' natural fiber content even creates a prebiotic fiber source for probiotics to “eat” and thrive on in order to grow and support our gut, immune, and brain health.
Further, studies confirm the vegetable has a prebiotic role, which means carrot fibre is a good source of fuel for the beneficial bacteria that reside in the gut. Many of these gut bacteria produce short chain fatty acids which have benefits not only for the gut but for our wider health too.
Tomatoes are wealthy in natural nutrients and minerals, such as Vitamin A, K, B1, B3, B5, B6, B7, and vitamin C. It additionally has folate, iron, potassium, magnesium, chromium, choline, zinc, and phosphorus. Daily intake of tomatoes can provide a great lift to wellbeing, along with improving the flavor of food.
The red skins of tomatoes are full of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals in the body. Not only can it detox your system immediately, lycopene may help prevent cancers.
As part of his 12-step plan to staying in great shape, Brady said he doesn't eat nightshades – a group of vegetables including aubergines and tomatoes – because they cause inflammation and raise his body's pH.
1. Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids , which are abundant in fatty fish such as salmon or tuna, are among the most potent anti-inflammatory supplements. These supplements may help fight several types of inflammation, including vascular inflammation.
green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale, and collards. nuts like almonds and walnuts. fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines. fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and oranges.
Tomatoes should have taught, blemish-free skin. If there's a bruised spot or two, it's OK to cut around them and enjoy the rest of the tomato (maybe turn it into a nice tomato sauce), but if the entire fruit is pocked with spots, it's best to move on.
Overdosing on prebiotics
Taking a large amount of prebiotics (the food source for probiotics) is also considered to be fairly safe, although it may at first result in bloating or flatulence.
Broccoli is a very good source of prebiotics, but so are onions, cauliflower, leafy greens, spinach, kale, avocado and berries. Some probiotic supplements also include prebiotics in the form of inulin, chicory root or fructo-oligosaccharides.