An interesting study from the University of Surrey highlights how taking prebiotic supplements can help reduce sugar cravings. The study is quite recent so let's take it a bit with a grain of salt but it really seems that a healthy intestine (prebiotics help increase the "good" bacteria that populate our intestines) can reduce sugar cravings.
In this study, half of the group of women took a prebiotic supplement (GOS = galacto-oligosaccharides) for one month and the other half a placebo. The research team found that participants who took prebiotics consumed 4.1% fewer sugars and 4.3% fewer calories from carbohydrates than women in the placebo group. Interestingly, the study also found that those who took the GOS supplements consumed about 4.2 percent more energy from fat.
As stated, this is a recent and small-scale study but also a further confirmation that a healthy intestine is not only connected with the immune defenses (which is now proven) and with our general well-being but can also indirectly influence what we decide to eat.
Full article (in English)
Nutrient Intake and Gut Microbial Genera Changes after a 4-Week Placebo Controlled Galacto-Oligosaccharides Intervention in Young Females
