Which of the following is the role of prebiotics in a balanced diet?

• A. Supplement gut microbiome with additional bacteria.
• B. To increase the diversity of the gut microbiome.
• C. To repopulate the gut after taking antibiotics.
• D. To provide nourishment to the gut bacteria with foods our system can't digest.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the term 'prebiotics': Prebiotics are non-digestible food components, typically fibers, that serve as food for beneficial gut bacteria, helping them grow and thrive.
2. Differentiate prebiotics from probiotics: Probiotics are live beneficial bacteria, while prebiotics are the food that nourishes these bacteria. Prebiotics do not directly add bacteria to the gut microbiome.
3. Analyze the role of prebiotics: Prebiotics help maintain a healthy gut microbiome by providing nourishment to the existing beneficial bacteria, which in turn supports digestion, immunity, and overall health.
4. Evaluate the options provided: Eliminate incorrect options such as 'Supplement gut microbiome with additional bacteria' (this describes probiotics, not prebiotics), 'To increase the diversity of the gut microbiome' (prebiotics support existing bacteria but do not directly increase diversity), and 'To repopulate the gut after taking antibiotics' (this is a role more closely associated with probiotics).
5. Select the correct answer: The role of prebiotics is 'To provide nourishment to the gut bacteria with foods our system can't digest,' as this aligns with their function of feeding beneficial gut bacteria.