Handbook of Prebiotics
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Author(s): G. Gibson and M. Roberfroid (Eds)
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 0849381711
Format: hardback
485pp
Price: £79.00
Review Date: 20 March 2008
Review: Prebiotics are popular functional food ingredients that are designed to improve human or animal health by mediating activities of gut microflora. This book begins with a historical look at prebiotics, describing their interactions with gut microbiota, including those at mucosal level. It goes on to look at the various health outputs levelled at prebiotic intake – with different levels of evidence and agreement. There are chapters on mineral bioavailability, followed by a discussion on immune status and functionality. There are also chapters on the role of prebiotics in combating obesity, intestinal cancers and inflammatory bowel disease. The effect of probiotics on different ages and populations – the elderly and children – and even animals is discussed. Finally, the food avenues for prebiotic use, and the safety implications, are explored.