Wolfiporia cocos, a fungus used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2000 years, contains polysaccharides that act as prebiotics to improve gut health. These polysaccharides promote the growth of beneficial bacteria while inhibiting harmful ones, increase production of healthy metabolites, and strengthen the intestinal barrier. By improving gut microbiota composition, these polysaccharides can help prevent and treat various diseases including obesity, diabetes, and inflammatory conditions.