Probiotics and Prebiotics • To evaluate the evidence for the

benefits of functional foods including:a) probiotics containing Bifidobacteria and

lactic acid bacteria Lactobacillus b) prebiotic oligosaccharidesc) plant stanol esters

FUNCTIONAL FOOD •Many healthy people now

eat functional foods as well as their normal food. • These foods claim to make

you healthier.

FUNCTIONAL FOOD Food which is not eaten for nutritional value but which claim to make you healthier

Functional Foods

Plant sterols - Specially formulated spreads help to lower cholesterol levels in the body.

Probiotic drinks are designed to improve the health of the large bowel.

Some eggs contain Omega-3 fatty acids, known to benefit heart health.

Prebiotics – healthy, non digestible food ingredients containing non starch polysaccharide used in breakfast cereals, yogurts and drinks.

Probiotics• The digestive system contains about 1013

bacteria – that's more bacteria than you have cells in your body! Some of these bacteria can cause problems but most provide health benefits.

• They can help break down food and protect against disease – causing microorganisms.

Friendly Bacteria• Probiotics contain live bacteria often called

“friendly bacteria” or “beneficial bacteria.”• These are usually lactobacillus and Bifodobacteria

which produce lactic acid in the gut. • The manufactures of probiotic foods such as

yogurts or yogurt drinks claim that these will make you healthier by improving your digestive system, helping your body protect itself against disease and reducing allergies.

How true is it?• However in 2010 scientists at the

European food safety agency looked at the evidence for 180 health claims for probiotics. • They rejected 10 completely and said

there was not enough evidence to support the other 170 claims.

Plant stanol esters• Plant stanol esters are oily substances found in

plants. Scientists have discovered that these can stop the small intestine absorbing cholesterol, lowering the levels of cholesterol in the blood.

• High cholesterol levels are linked to a raised risk of heart disease.

• Plant stanols are now used in many foods such as yogurt, drinks and spreads.

• There is clear evidence that they have an effect.

Prebiotics • Prebiotics are substances that the body cant

digest. They act as food for the beneficial bacteria in the but and encourage their growth.

• Tomatoes, bananas, onions and asparagus all contain oligosaccharides, a common form of prebiotics.

• You may also find prebiotics in specially made diary products or sold in capsules.

• The evidence is growing that prebiotics can increase the beneficial bacteria in your gut and so help maintain good health.