Associated with probiotics, prebiotics are known to rebalance the intestinal flora. They could also prove to be of great use in combating the effects of stress. Scientists at the University of Colorado in the United States have analyzed their usefulness on the consequences of intense stress.
In their study published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, they separated rats into two groups. One received a diet rich in prebiotics, the other a conventional diet. All the rats were then subjected to a stressful event, which normally has deleterious consequences on the quality of the intestinal microbiota (all the bacteria that make up our intestines). Unlike the second, the first group did not show disturbance of the microbiota due to stress.
Better sleep after stress
A stressful event also often affects the quality of sleep. And here too, the prebiotics showed their interest: the rats fed with these elements recovered healthier sleeping habits after the stress episode than the rats in the control group.
According to scientists, these results on animals could be valid on humans, after stress such as a car accident or the death of a loved one. The researchers now want to confirm their hypothesis by conducting a study on humans.
To read also
I take care of my intestinal flora
Prebiotics May Treat Exercise Asthma
Prebiotics May Reduce Food Allergies
