Prebiotics are nutrients that specifically utilized by the gut microbiota. Beneficial health effects of prebiotics are generally attributed to 1) stimulation of beneficial bacteria and SCFA production, and consequently; improved barrier function, regulation of enteroendocrine peptide secretion and resistance to inflammatory stimuli; 2) modulation of lipid metabolism, possibly by suppression of lipogenic enzymes and thus decreased synthesis of lipoproteins and triglycerides; and 3) increased mineral absorption.