It may sound strange, but there are a number of different cells at work in your body that aren't actually a part of you. In fact, according to ScienceDaily, roughly 80 percent of the cells in an individual person aren't technically human, but they all contribute to essential bodily functions.
The source reports that, on August 21, Professor Robert Rastall, head of the Department of Food Sciences at Reading University in the United Kingdom, spoke about ongoing research into the importance of non-human bacteria at the 244th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society in Philadelphia.
At the event, Rastall touted the benefits of prebiotics, which he defined as foods that provide nourishment to the good bacteria cells that the stomach and gastrointestinal tract need to properly digest food and take in nutrients.
"Just as people need food to thrive, so do the billions of healthful bacteria that live in our guts, our gastrointestinal tract," says Rastall.
While prebiotics are carbohydrates that sustain the microorganisms in the body, probiotics, in comparison, are the actual bacteria. Rastall stresses that the lesser known carbs are just as important as their probiotic counterparts when it comes to overall health.
As research into prebiotics continues, Rastall explains that the beneficial carbs, which can be found in many fresh fruits and vegetables, may come to play a greater role in the treatment of certain health conditions, such as gastrointestinal diseases, and have the potential to be used for certain heart problems as well.
In the meantime, there are other methods to ensure that your gastrointestinal system is running smoothly. To find out more about our digestive support supplements, click here.