What beneficial substances are produced when gut microbes ferment the fiber and Resistant Starch (RS) found in taro?
Answer
Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) such as butyrate
The fermentation process that occurs in the colon is central to the gut health benefits derived from taro. When the undigested carbohydrates—the fiber and the Resistant Starch (RS)—reach the beneficial bacterial colonies, these microbes consume them as fuel. This fermentation action results in the creation of valuable metabolic byproducts known as Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs). Butyrate is specifically named as one such SCFA produced during this process. SCFAs are crucial because they serve as the primary and preferred source of nourishment for the epithelial cells that line the intestines, thereby playing an active role in maintaining and strengthening the integrity of the gut barrier.
Related Questions
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