The digestive system is a set of organs that process the food consumed by humans. Our digestive system is made up of the stomach and intestines. These organs work simultaneously to break down food into smaller molecules so that the body can extract nutrients and then turn them into waste. Since our digestive system constantly comes into contact with various foods, it also becomes an active site for bacteria growth. Our digestive system contains an incredible amount of bacteria, both beneficial and dangerous. Beneficial bacteria help regulate our stomach acidity while other infectious bacterial organisms such as E.coli disrupt the digestive system. For example, if a cow contains the E. coli bacteria and the meat from that cow is eaten, it begins to form bacterial digestive infections. When this happens, the normal intestinal flora no longer functions properly and causes irregularities in the body. Normal intestinal flora is essential for the formation of stools, the synthesis of essential vitamins and the maintenance of immunity. Normal flora can be thought of as the microbial fingerprint of our intestinal tract. Each specific bacteria in the gut serves a specific purpose. For example, the colon; which makes up the bulk of the flora, is made up of good bacteria that maintain the health of your colon and fight bad bacteria that can cause constipation. When infectious bacteria disrupt this function, we can become very ill. By consuming prebiotics and probiotics, the digestive system will be able to function properly and help prevent the formation of bacteria; which results in a happier, fully functioning digestive system. Prebiotics are non-digestible foods that help stimulate bacteria...... middle of paper ......e They, how to get them, health benefits. " Retrieved August 19, 2011 from http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/nutrition/a/oligosaccharide.htm Jegtvig, Shereen. August 18, 2011 " Prebiotics and probiotics. " Retrieved August 19, 2011, from http://nutrition.about.com/od/therapeuticnutrition1/p/pro_prebiotics.htmMedicine Health “Fructo-Oligosaccharides”. Complete Natural Medicines. Accessed August 20, 2011, from http://www. emedicinehealth.com/fructo-oligosaccharides/vitamins-supplements.htmMedicine Net. Accessed August 20, 2011 at http://www.medicinenet.com/probiotics/article.htmSonomoto, Kenji, Atsushi, July 2011. “Lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria: Current Advances in Advanced Research.” Retrieved August 21, 2011 from http://www.booksystemsplus.com/product.php?id_product..=455