Gum Guru Guest Blogger: Grace Wang, M.S., Food Scientist

I think that my dog eats better than me, at least nutritionally speaking. Her food contains all the vitamins and minerals she needs, but also has added DHA and prebiotics! My grilled cheese sandwich pales in comparison. 

We’ve all heard about pre- and probiotics. Prebiotics stimulate beneficial bacteria (probiotics) to grow in the gut, thus improving one’s overall digestive health.  Positive benefits have also been seen with IBS/IBD, eczema, UTIs, etc.  So, what is considered a prebiotic? Gums that are high in soluble fiber, such as inulin, gum arabic, and guar gum. They can be added to everyday foods without significantly affecting texture or flavor. Maybe the next time I make dinner, I’ll sprinkle some guar gum into the dish. That way, my meal will come closer to being just as nutritious as my dog’s food, without actually having to eat her food.