Which Prebiotic Did Michael Mosley Use? An In-Depth Look at Gut Health and Diet

October 23, 2025 •

4 min read

In his BBC documentary “The Truth About Sleep,” Dr. Michael Mosley famously experimented with specific supplements to improve his sleep, leading many to ask which prebiotic did Michael Mosley use. This focus on the gut microbiome was a cornerstone of his work, highlighting how diet can influence everything from sleep to overall health.

Quick Summary

Details the specific prebiotics like Inulin and Bimuno that Dr. Michael Mosley trialed for better sleep and gut health, alongside his broader advocacy for food-based prebiotics and microbiome diversity.

Key Points

Prebiotic Supplement Use: Michael Mosley specifically used a Bimuno Daily Powder in a BBC documentary to improve his sleep quality.
Inulin for Gut Health: He also explored the benefits of Inulin powder, a type of prebiotic fibre, in promoting better gut bacteria and reducing visceral fat.
Dietary Diversity: Mosley emphasized that a healthy gut microbiome thrives on a diverse range of prebiotic-rich foods, not just supplements.
Food Sources: He advocated for incorporating fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi, as well as a variety of vegetables, legumes, and fruits like apples, into the diet.
Holistic Approach: Beyond diet, Mosley stressed the importance of lifestyle factors such as sleep, exercise, and stress management for optimal gut health.
Mediterranean Diet: He frequently promoted a Mediterranean-style diet as an effective, natural way to boost gut health due to its abundance of plant-based foods.

Michael Mosley's Journey into Gut Health

Dr. Michael Mosley was a prominent science journalist and author known for his hands-on approach to health and his popularization of concepts like the 5:2 diet and the significant role of the gut microbiome. His research and personal experiments often highlighted the powerful link between diet and health. A central theme in his work was the importance of the trillions of microbes residing in the gut, which he referred to as the 'second brain'. He explained that these microbes, which form the gut microbiome, influence a wide range of bodily functions, including mood, weight, and the immune system. Mosley’s recommendations, popularized through books like The Clever Guts Diet and various BBC programmes, drew attention to the benefits of prebiotics and dietary fiber.

The Prebiotic Supplements Michael Mosley Used

Through his television work and writing, Mosley discussed and personally trialed different types of prebiotics. The most prominently featured were:

Bimuno Daily Powder: In the BBC's The Truth About Sleep documentary, Mosley documented his experience taking a sachet of Bimuno Daily Powder before bed. This experiment led to noticeable improvements in his sleep patterns, a finding attributed to the increase in beneficial gut bacteria stimulated by the supplement. Bimuno, which contains a patented active ingredient called galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS), is designed to feed and stimulate the growth of 'good' bacteria in the gut.
Inulin Powder: Mosley also featured Inulin on his shows, including Trust Me I'm a Doctor and How To Stay Young. He investigated the effectiveness of Inulin as a prebiotic fibre to promote better sleep and feed beneficial gut bacteria. In one program, he explored how Inulin might help reduce high levels of visceral fat. Inulin, a type of soluble dietary fiber found in foods like chicory root, onions, and garlic, acts as a fuel source for healthy gut bacteria.

Food-Based Prebiotics: Mosley's Broader Recommendation

While Mosley utilized supplements for specific experiments, his overarching message consistently emphasized getting prebiotics from a diverse diet of whole foods. He likened prebiotics to 'fertilizer' for the good bacteria in the gut, and highlighted that a wide range of plant-based foods contain these beneficial fibers. He championed a Mediterranean-style diet, which is naturally rich in prebiotic foods.

Mosley's recommended food-based prebiotic sources include:

Apples: He praised apples as a great prebiotic source, especially when eaten whole, due to their high pectin content. Pectin is a soluble fiber that encourages the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.
Fermented Foods: Mosley was a strong advocate for fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir. He even noted that making them at home was preferable to buying supermarket versions, which are often pasteurized and devoid of live bacteria.
Legumes and Pulses: He recommended incorporating legumes like chickpeas and lentils into one's diet, as they are excellent sources of prebiotic fiber.
Vegetables: Onions, garlic, leeks, and asparagus were consistently mentioned as excellent sources of prebiotic fiber.

Supplement vs. Diet: A Comparison

While supplements offer a concentrated dose, Mosley's research and recommendations underscored the benefits of a diverse diet. The key takeaway was that a variety of prebiotic-rich foods helps create a more diverse and resilient gut microbiome. The table below compares the two approaches, aligning with insights from Mosley's work.


Feature	Prebiotic Supplements (e.g., Bimuno, Inulin)	Food-Based Prebiotics
Concentration	Provides a specific, concentrated dose of one or a few prebiotic types.	Offers a natural mix of various prebiotic fibers and other nutrients (e.g., polyphenols, vitamins).
Diversity	Often targets a specific group of gut bacteria. May lack the broad diversity found in whole foods.	Encourages greater overall gut microbiome diversity, which Mosley emphasized as a key indicator of gut health.
Convenience	Easy to add to a daily routine, especially for those with busy lives.	Requires conscious meal planning and preparation to ensure adequate intake.
Cost	Can be a more expensive approach over the long term.	Generally more affordable and sustainable as part of a regular diet.
Taste	Can be taken in a neutral form (powder or sachet) or mixed into drinks.	Integrates flavor and texture into meals, contributing to overall culinary enjoyment.
Source	Produced industrially, though some supplements use naturally derived ingredients.	Sourced directly from whole fruits, vegetables, and legumes.

A Holistic Approach to Gut and Overall Health

Beyond specific prebiotics, Mosley's teachings highlighted a holistic view of gut health. He repeatedly emphasized that a healthy microbiome depends not only on what we eat, but also on lifestyle factors. Getting enough sleep, reducing stress, and regular exercise were all cited as important for maintaining a healthy gut.

Mosley’s legacy includes debunking myths and simplifying complex scientific concepts for a wider audience. By featuring his own experiences and explaining the science behind prebiotics, he helped shift public perception toward understanding the deep connections between our diet, our gut, and our overall well-being. For those interested in improving their gut health, Mosley’s work provides a compelling starting point, whether through targeted supplementation or, as he often advocated, a greater focus on dietary diversity. More information on his dietary principles, including his emphasis on the Mediterranean diet, can be found on The Fast 800 website.

Conclusion

So, which prebiotic did Michael Mosley use? He famously used Bimuno in one experiment to improve sleep, and also highlighted Inulin for its gut-health benefits in other instances. However, his broader and more enduring recommendation was to cultivate a diverse gut microbiome through a diet rich in a variety of prebiotic-filled foods, including vegetables, legumes, and certain fruits. By exploring both supplements and whole food sources, Mosley provided a comprehensive and accessible roadmap for better gut health, a legacy that continues to resonate today.

Frequently Asked Questions

A prebiotic is a type of dietary fiber that acts as food for the beneficial bacteria already living in your gut. A probiotic is a living microorganism, such as a bacteria or yeast, that can be consumed to supplement the good bacteria in your microbiome.

Michael Mosley used and discussed prebiotic supplements like Bimuno and Inulin in specific experiments. However, his main recommendation was to obtain prebiotics from a wide variety of whole, unprocessed foods as part of a Mediterranean-style diet to promote greater gut diversity.

He suggested focusing on a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, oily fish, and fermented foods. He recommended incorporating foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, apples, garlic, onions, and legumes to provide a variety of prebiotics.

Yes, Michael Mosley mentioned making his own fermented foods, such as sauerkraut and kimchi. He cautioned that many supermarket fermented products are pasteurized, which kills the beneficial bacteria.

In his experiment for the BBC, Michael Mosley found that taking a prebiotic supplement (Bimuno) improved his sleep patterns. The theory is that a healthier gut microbiome can influence the production of sleep-regulating chemicals.

Inulin is a soluble dietary fiber that acts as a prebiotic, feeding good bacteria in the gut. Michael Mosley featured Inulin on his shows to highlight its potential benefits for gut health and its effect on visceral fat.

In addition to diet, Michael Mosley highlighted the importance of regular exercise, getting sufficient sleep, and managing stress. He explained that these factors all influence the health and diversity of the gut microbiome.