A healthy gut is the cornerstone of healthspan. Beyond digestion, the gut microbiome influences almost every major system in the body, from metabolism to immunity and even brain function. When diverse and balanced, it supports energy production, mood regulation, nutrient absorption, and immune defense, helping the body stay resilient and age better. As science continues to reveal the far-reaching impact of the microbiome, one thing is clear: maintaining gut balance is essential for long-term vitality. This is where prebiotics come into play.
What are prebiotics and how do they work?
Definition of prebiotics
Once considered a niche concept, prebiotics have now entered the mainstream of nutrition science. They play a crucial role in supporting the gut microbiome, the community of microorganisms that profoundly impacts our overall health and well-being.
According to the Global Prebiotic Association (GPA)*1, prebiotics are defined as “a product or ingredient that is utilized by the microbiota, producing a health or performance benefit.”
This updated 2024 definition expands the scope of prebiotics beyond gut health alone, recognizing that microbial modulation can positively influence several physiological functions across the body, from metabolism and immunity to cognitive performance.
💡 Did you know?
Not all fibers are prebiotic… and not all prebiotics are fibers.
To be considered prebiotic, an ingredient must demonstrate selective utilization by beneficial microorganisms and provide a measurable health benefit.
The prebiotic process
Prebiotics follow a specific journey through the digestive system, ultimately nourishing beneficial gut bacteria and generating compounds that support overall health. The process can be summarized in three key stages:
- Consumption: Prebiotic-rich foods or supplements are ingested and travel through the digestive tract largely undigested.
- Activation: Once in the colon, prebiotics selectively stimulate beneficial bacteria, which ferment them to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs).
- Benefits: These SCFAs contribute to gut barrier integrity, modulate the immune system, support brain function, and regulate metabolism, providing measurable health advantages throughout the body.
Why consumers turn to prebiotic fibers?
Consumer interest in prebiotics has surged in recent years, reflecting growing awareness of gut health and its impact on overall wellness. Searches for “prebiotic fibers” have increased by +96% year-over-year, highlighting a rapidly expanding curiosity around these ingredients.
Over the past decade, attitudes towards digestive health have shifted significantly: 59% of global consumers aware of the microbiome or beneficial bacteria have changed their diets as a result.
Interestingly, most consumers who purchase prebiotics have been doing so for less than two years, and they tend to consume them in food and beverage formats rather than supplements. This trend underscores the opportunity for formulators to incorporate prebiotics into everyday products that fit seamlessly into modern lifestyles.
Finally, prebiotics are increasingly seen as a tool for day-to-day wellness, not just disease prevention. Consumers are motivated by concerns such as energy, immunity, and overall vitality. Formulating products that deliver visible, evidence-backed benefits can therefore help brands meet evolving consumer demands while reinforcing the value of prebiotic ingredients.
To effectively harness their benefits in formulations, it’s essential to explore the different types of prebiotic fibers and the specific functions they perform in supporting gut health and overall wellness.
The different types of prebiotic fibers
Overview of prebiotic types
The prebiotic landscape is broad, with many ingredients delivering unique benefits to the gut microbiome. The Global Prebiotic Association (GPA) recognizes a variety of established and emerging prebiotics:
- Acacia fiber
- FOS (Fructo-oligosaccharides)
- GOS (Galacto-oligosaccharides)
- HMOs (Human Milk Oligosaccharides)
- IMOs (Isomaltooligosaccharides)
- Polyphenols
- Resistant starch (RS)
- XOS (Xylo-oligosaccharides)
- Lactulose & more
Each of these ingredients has its own properties and potential applications, from supporting the gut microbiome to specific metabolic or immune functions. However, these prebiotics can vary widely in terms of stability during processing, tolerability, and practical use in formulations, which can affect both manufacturing feasibility and consumer acceptance.
Among these options, acacia fiber stands out for its unique combination of tolerability, versatility, stability, and broad-spectrum benefits for gut health. Its gentle nature, clean-label profile, and well-documented effects make it particularly suited for incorporation into a variety of food, beverage, and supplement formulations.
Acacia fiber: a natural and well-tolerated prebiotic source
Derived from the dried exudate of Acacia senegal or Acacia seyal, acacia fiber is a highly soluble dietary fiber known for its exceptional digestive tolerance and clean-label appeal. Nexira guarantees over 90% soluble fiber, offering both prebiotic and technological benefits.
Beyond its nutritional properties, acacia fiber provides formulators with several key advantages. It is stable under low pH and high-temperature conditions, making it an excellent choice for product development where other prebiotics may not perform as well. Its neutral taste, excellent solubility, and low viscosity allow for easy integration without compromising texture or flavor.
Nexira’s acacia is also a sustainably sourced and 100% natural ingredient. It is suitable for vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free diets and offers a low-calorie profile. It is available in organic, FODMAP-friendly, and Non-GMO Project Verified grades. All of which align with the growing demand for clean-label, healthy and environmentally conscious products.
Our prebiotic range
Acacia-based prebiotics: Fibregum™ and inavea™ PURE ACACIA
With decades of scientific expertise, Nexira has established itself as a global leader in acacia prebiotic fiber research. Our commitment to science and sustainability has led to the development of Fibregum™ and inavea™ PURE ACACIA, two benchmark ingredients recognized for their proven prebiotic efficacy and certified quality.
Both fibers are NutraStrong™ Prebiotic Verified, a distinction that confirms their clinically demonstrated prebiotic activity at a daily dose of 10 g. Their gradual fermentation supports a balanced microbiome, digestive comfort, and immune system function, benefits validated by multiple scientific studies.
With the inavea™ range, Nexira goes even further by fully integrating sustainability into its innovation. inavea™ PURE ACACIA combines high nutritional performance with a carbon-neutral footprint, offering a solution that is both effective, natural, organic and responsible.
💡 Did you know?
This pioneering approach has earned Nexira several international accolades, including:
• Finalist of the 2021 World Food Innovation Awards in the Sustainability category;
• Winner of the 2025 NutraIngredients Award and the Vitafoods Europe Innovation Award 2025 in the Sustainability Innovation category.
The inavea™ range also offers innovative plant-based synergies designed to target specific wellness needs:
- inavea™ BAOBAB & ACACIA, supporting microbiome balance and metabolic health;
- inavea™ CAROB & ACACIA, enhancing intestinal microbiome diversity;
- inavea™ CINNAMON & ACACIA, helping regulate blood sugar and insulin response through the natural synergy of fibers and polyphenols.
Prebiotic grape extract: VinOgrape™ Plus
In addition to acacia-based solutions, Nexira offers VinOgrape™ Plus, a natural grape extract with proven prebiotic activity. This ingredient has been shown to modulate the gut microbiota, supporting digestive balance and overall wellness.
Produced from carefully selected grapes using a proprietary extraction process, VinOgrape™ Plus delivers high levels of polyphenols while maintaining the functional properties needed for prebiotic support. Suitable for food supplement applications thanks to its low dosage, it complements Nexira’s acacia fibers by offering formulators a versatile ingredient to target gut health and daily wellbeing from multiple angles.
What’s next for prebiotics?
Akkermansia muciniphila: a next-generation focus
The field of prebiotics continues to evolve, with next-generation bacteria like Akkermansia muciniphila attracting significant attention. This species is associated with metabolic health and healthy weight management, and its abundance in the gut microbiome correlates strongly with body mass index and overall metabolic function. Nexira’s study has demonstrated that inavea™ BAOBAB & ACACIA promotes the growth of this specific bacteria, positioning this prebiotic for metabolic health.
As research accelerates, prebiotic formulations are increasingly being designed to modulate specific microbial populations, opening new opportunities for innovative functional foods, beverages, and supplements.
Exploring the gut-brain axis
Future prebiotic innovations will increasingly target the gut-brain axis—an interconnected system where metabolites produced by gut microbes can influence mood, cognitive health, and neuroprotection. These emerging strategies highlight the potential of prebiotics to extend their benefits beyond digestive health, opening new opportunities for functional foods, beverages, and supplements that support holistic wellness.
Contact us for more information.
- Global Prebiotic Week. Prebiotic Association. https://prebioticassociation.org/global-prebiotics-week/ ↩︎
