Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Oligosaccharides are a type of carbohydrate composed of a small number of simple sugars (monosaccharides). There is scientific evidence supporting the use of certain oligosaccharides—especially prebiotic oligosaccharides such as fructooligosaccharides (FOS), galactooligosaccharides (GOS), and inulin—to support the health of the small intestine and the gastrointestinal tract in general. These compounds are not digested by human enzymes in the upper gastrointestinal tract and reach the small intestine largely intact, where they serve as fermentable substrates for beneficial gut microbiota, particularly Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli. The fermentation of oligosaccharides by these bacteria produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as butyrate, acetate, and propionate, which have been shown to promote gut barrier integrity, modulate immune function, and inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Multiple human clinical trials and animal studies have demonstrated that prebiotic oligosaccharide supplementation can increase beneficial bacterial populations in the gut and may improve gut health parameters, though most studies focus on the colon rather than the small intestine specifically. However, since the small intestine is involved in the transit and fermentation of these compounds, the indirect support of its function is generally accepted in the scientific community. The evidence is moderate (rated 3/5) because while the prebiotic effects are well-documented, most research centers on colonic health, and fewer studies examine direct effects on the small intestine itself.

More about Oligosaccharide (unspecified)
More about Small Intestines

Other ingredients that support Small Intestines

Other body systems supported by Oligosaccharide (unspecified)

Products containing Oligosaccharide (unspecified)