If you’re a parent wondering how to give your child a digestive and immune health boost—without daily battles over greens or fibre‑packed meals—you’re in the right place. Most children aren’t getting enough prebiotic fibre, which means their gut microbiome, digestion and immunity may all be under‑performing. In this post, we’ll explain what prebiotics are, why they matter for kids, how common children’s digestive issues (especially constipation) tie in, and how our brand, ió Gut Health Drink (previously ió fibrewater), offers a smart, kid‑friendly solution.
Why the Gut Microbiome Matters in Kids
The gut microbiome—the community of friendly bacteria in the digestive tract—is far more than just a digestion side‑actor. In children, its strength can influence:
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Immune system resilience (a strong gut can help defend against infections)
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Digestion and bowel regularity (healthy microbes support smooth function)
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Mood, cognition and even the gut‑brain axis (the gut sends signals to the brain)
Emerging research is exploring links between the gut microbiome and conditions such as autism. While the evidence is still evolving, it underlines how foundational the gut really is to a child’s overall health. Yet the reality is that many children’s microbiomes are starving for the fuel they need—namely, prebiotic fibre.
What Are Prebiotics?
Prebiotics are a special type of non‑digestible dietary fibre that provides nourishment for beneficial bacteria in the gut. Unlike probiotics (which are live bacteria), prebiotics support the existing helpful bugs so they can flourish and promote health.
Think of the gut microbiome as a pond and the friendly bacteria as fish: if the fish don’t have the right food, the pond becomes murky, the fish weaken—and the entire ecosystem suffers. Prebiotics serve as that nourishment.
Examples of prebiotics include inulin (from chicory root), fructo‑oligosaccharides (FOS), and galacto‑oligosaccharides (GOS)—all studied for their potential to boost beneficial gut bacteria. Unlike probiotics (which are the live bacteria themselves), prebiotics feed the helpful bugs already present so they can thrive and support health.
What's the #1 Source of Prebiotics?
Inulin (chicory root fibre) is the leading prebiotic fibre source, and it's what's in ió Gut Health Drinks. It is commonly included in many infant formulas due to its proven benefits for a baby's health – and long-term health for children and adults.
All prebiotics are fibre...but only a few foods are prebiotic!
Certain foods contain prebiotic fibre; however, you would need to eat a significant amount to achieve the daily recommended amount.
Although there isn't a recommended daily intake of prebiotics specifically for children (yet!), the foods that have prebiotics in them that also account for daily fibre intake are unrealistic. For example, a 2-year-old would need to eat 6-10 slightly green bananas daily, which is clearly never going to happen! Another food with prebiotics is onions, and a child of the same age would need to eat 3 onions. Daily.
Not to fret! We have an easy (and delicious!) solution for boosting fibre and prebiotics in children (and adults!) below!!!
The Fibre & Prebiotic Gap in Children's Diets
It's alarming that 96% of children in the UK don't consume enough dietary fibre, according to the National Diet and Nutrition Survey.(2)
Why is this a big deal? Because even when children consume foods that contain prebiotics (like bananas, onions, leeks), they’d need to eat them in unrealistic quantities to match the prebiotic doses used in studies. Suppose a toddler needs to eat six to ten slightly green bananas daily or several onions to get enough prebiotics from diet alone—clearly not practical.
This is where a solution tailored to children’s lives becomes deeply helpful.
How Prebiotics Support a Stronger Immune System & Digestion in Children
Immune support
Research shows that children who consume inulin‑type prebiotic fibres have higher levels of beneficial Bifidobacteria and fewer febrile (fever) infections requiring medical attention.
This makes sense: when the gut microbiome is healthier, it influences the immune system more effectively.
Find out more regarding prebiotics and the immune system here.
Digestion & constipation relief
Prebiotics help by:
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Increasing stool bulk and moisture through fermentation products, making stool softer and easier to pass.
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Supporting better microbial balance, which supports healthy bowel habits. For example, one study found that children given inulin‑type fructans showed improved stool consistency compared to placebo.
In short: prebiotics help kids go more easily and regularly — without relying on quick‑fix laxatives.
Why Constipation is So Common in Kids — And How Prebiotics Help
According to the NHS, 1 in 3 children is constipated! (3)
Ps. Adults don't fare much better, with 91% not getting enough fibre, and 1 in 7 are constipated!
Constipation is a widespread issue among children—estimates suggest up to one in three children may be affected at any one time. The combination of low fibre intake, withholding behaviour, and sub‑optimal gut microbiomes sets the stage.
While laxatives can offer short‑term relief, long‑term or daily use is not ideal. Over‑use of stimulant laxatives, for example, may weaken intestinal muscle and nerve function — in effect making the bowels less efficient.
By contrast, prebiotic fibre offers a more natural, daily‑friendly way to support bowel function: improve consistency, ease passage, and reduce incidence of constipation.
Find out more:
Kids & Constipation: 6 Tips That Can Help
Prebiotics & Immune system function
Children's Health: The Impact of Chronic Laxative Use
This next part is super-important to be aware of...!
When you realise that 1 in 3 kids are living with constipation and that many are on laxatives long-term, it's important to understand the impact this will have on their health down the road.
The NHS advises using laxatives sparingly, recommending them for occasional relief and for no longer than a week. The health service cautions against daily use to manage constipation, noting that it can lead to harmful effects.
Dr. Rajan elaborates on the risks: "Stimulant laxatives such as senna are not designed for long-term use. Prolonged use can weaken the intestines' muscle and nerve function, reducing their ability to effectively process waste."
"This can lead to a dependency on them, both physiologically and psychologically, necessitating increasingly larger doses to achieve the desired effect."
Sadly, we know of several teenagers who have been on laxatives since they were 2 years old and have lost normal bowel function. That's right - they have lost control of their bowels. Most likely for life.
Introducing ió: Prebiotics that Support Children's Health
At ió, we understand parents’ real‑life challenges: picky eaters, fussiness, limited dinner time and the struggle to sneak in enough fibre or gut‑friendly foods.
That’s why we created a drink that:
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Delivers a full daily serving of prebiotic fibre (via inulin from chicory root)
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Provides about 40% of the daily fibre intake recommended for children aged 2‑5 in one bottle
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It's clear, tastes like water (kid‑friendly), naturally flavoured (Strawberry is a hit), and free from added sugar
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Fits into busy routines (easy to grab, easy to store, easy to enjoy)
When you’re looking for a gut‑health support tool that doesn’t require negotiating another broccoli debate—this is it.
This makes ió an ideal choice for parents looking for ways to supplement their children's diets with essential nutrients without the battle of dealing with fussy eaters.
(Ps. This is a video with our old label - same great science-backed ingredients and flavour inside, though! :))
How to Use ió in Your Child’s Daily Routine + Additional Gut‑Health Tips
See what parents are saying about how ió is supporting their (and their kids) health with the power of prebiotics by reading the reviews.
Usage tip:
Give one bottle of ió each day, ideally alongside a meal or snack to help with absorption and regularity. (Read our FAQ page under 'Usage & Storability' regarding introducing prebiotics to kids' diets.)
Additional supportive habits:
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Encourage plenty of water: hydration helps fibre do its job.
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Move their body: even simple active play supports gut motility.
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Include prebiotic‑rich foods when possible: bananas (slightly green), leeks, onions, asparagus.
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Create a relaxed toilet routine: avoid forcing, but encourage sitting for a few minutes after meals to build habit.
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Limit processed foods: high‑fat, high‑sugar items can slow digestion and disrupt the gut microbiome.
These habits amplify the effect of prebiotic support and build longer‑term gut resilience.
Get 15% off ió Gut Health Drink – Kids love the taste, parents love the benefits
Visit us at Loveio.co to learn more, and don't forget to use the code 'KIDS15' at checkout when you shop to get 15% off!
Summary
Supporting your child’s gut health is not just about digestion—it’s about immunity, mood, and thriving. The reality is that many children are missing the prebiotic fibre they need, and the consequences show up in constipation, weak immune defences and sluggish digestion.
With ió Gut Health Drink, you get a child‑friendly, simple solution that bridges the fibre gap while offering meaningful prebiotic support. Give their gut the boost it deserves, and let them move, play and grow with less friction.
Ready to take action? Visit our site, choose the right pack, and use code KIDS15 at checkout for 15% off (just our little extra to help you get started). Your child’s gut—and your peace of mind—? Worth it. Click here to go to the shop!
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(1) Resources on the Gut-Brain Connection - Autism Research Institute
(2) National Diet and Nutrition Survey
(3) NHS Inform
