Hi David, Finally here after you fixed up that little name glitch. Thanks. Will catch up with Introduction later and a couple of other things now I can Post, but for now wanted to ask about the “Burgen Rye Bread” you have noted as your personal favourite in your 2nd book. I have tried a couple of loaves and quite liked it but when I went to get another loaf just a couple of days ago on the front they have, “Provides prebiotic fibre”. In the Nutritional list on the Bread package just says “resistant starch” and assume this is the “Prebiotic” bit? So not being sure what has happened here went into their Web site, http://www.burgen.com.au/ and found the following bits I extracted as noted below and assume it is this ‘Inulin’ that they are now adding?
They say:
“How can you increase your fibre intake?
•Choose high fibre, wholegrain breads such as Bürgen® Rye Bread
What are prebiotics?
Prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients. .... found in foods such as leeks, onions, garlic, bananas, asparagus, chicory and wholegrains (including wheat, rye, barley and oats)1. Because prebiotics are fermentable fibres, they help maintain gut functions, etc.
To increase your intake of prebiotics:
[2nd point on list]- Choose foods with added inulin (a prebiotic dietary fibre);”
I found an interesting article on problems with this “FOS – Fructooligosaccharides”. The Conclusion goes as follows: “In theory, a food additive that could specifically feed good bacteria might prove useful for intestinal health. Given the nature of the microbes and their ability to quickly adapt to various carbohydrate foods sources, it seems highly unlikely that such a chemical will be developed. Inulin/FOS has been touted as such a molecule, but seems to fail the test as you examine it further. Even if Inulin/FOS did display specifity for beneficial bacteria, do we know enough about the complex microbial ecology of the human GI tract to deem a species of bacteria better than the others? The GI tract is much like a rain forest with a very complex web of life. What would happen to a rain forest if, in our arrogance, we decided to spread a chemical that fertilized one specific type of tree? Would the overgrowth of one species be beneficial? Our GI tracts have adapted to house a variety of microbes and to disrupt this balance might be detrimental to our health. With these concerns, we recommend staying far away from any product with Inulin/FOS.” http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info/knowledge_base/kb/fos_fructooligosaccharides.htm
I have something else interesting about this Inulin that I will try and Post soon.
