How Food Suppliers Can Support Gut Health Trends

Tune in to any health program and you encounter the catchphrase “gut microbiome.” Is this a fad, or is it a legitimate health concern? Food additive supplier Bell Chem is here to help you unravel whether your gut microbiome essentially controls your overall health or whether it is simply another method of selling products.

What is a healthy gut microbiome?

While every individual differs in their body’s definition of a healthy gut biome, that definition changes with every meal. In other words, not only is every individual’s needs different, but those needs change hourly depending on what is being ingested and broken down. 

However, research has proven that when the human body generates specific metabolic byproducts (ketones from the breakdown of fats, urea from the breakdown of proteins, for instance), and the presence of healthy bacteria in the gut is normal, the microbiome of the gut is healthy. 

The difference between prebiotics and probiotics

While these words are off by only one letter, their function is vastly different. A prebiotic feeds the flora in your digestive tract while a probiotic is essentially an additional beneficial bacteria added to your gut. Prebiotics include starches, inulin, or chicory root fiber and act as a food source for the existing bacteria in your gut. Probiotics include fermented foods and yogurt, foods high in beneficial bacteria. While these important supplements may be sold separately, you can often find capsules or powders containing both prebiotics and probiotics, known as synbiotics. 

Fiber-rich diets

As discussed, prebiotics include fiber, which bacteria rely on to grow and divide. Fibers are readily available in plants, which leads many consumers to eat more leafy greens and fruits to enhance a healthy gut biome. However, a vast majority of Americans may not have these products readily available, so supplementing their diet with additives containing fibrous products will aid in digestion and overall gut health.

Functional foods

Once upon a time, all foods were functional because all foods were fresh. Take a look at the average grocery store shelf nowadays and you will notice pre-packaged foods that rely on taste and texture to sell their products. Health benefits have fallen to the wayside; sugary cereals and snacks have replaced fresh meat and vegetables as the staples of the American diet. Functional foods are curbing that trend by realizing consumers are not going to readily give up their snacks. Rather than replacing these snacks, the snacks are gaining vitamins, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and other minerals. Caffeine is another functional additive to bolster energy and brain power you can find in hundreds of products. 

A 2023 paper written by Ruo-Gu Xiong, et al, emphasizes the role of the microbiota-gut-brain axis and how ingesting capsaicin, medicinal herbs (lavender and lemon balm, for instance), synbiotics, and whole foods can positively affect mood, as well as bodily functions. 

Bell Chem is a food additive supplier based in Longwood, FL (just north of Orlando) with hundreds of products stocked in their 50,000+ square-foot warehouse, including additives that support a healthy gut biome. You can expect the highest quality products, expedited shipping options for maximum efficiency, and unrivaled personalized customer service. Let our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives and accounting staff personalize all your needs by either calling 407-339-BELL (2355) or by sending us an online message.