What are Oligosaccharides?
Oligosaccharides are typically characterized as carbohydrates that consist of 3 to 8 monosaccharide units, although some definitions extend this range to include carbohydrates with 3 to 10 or even 20 monosaccharide units.
The Mechanism Behind Oligosaccharides
Oligosaccharides serve important physiological functions as they encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria naturally present in the human intestine, such as Bifidobacterium. This process helps to inhibit the proliferation of harmful putrefactive bacteria in the intestine and decreases the production of toxic fermentation byproducts.
Bifidobacteria are extremely sensitive to oxygen, pressure, heat, an acid, making it challenging to incorporate them directly into food. In contrast, oligosaccharides do not face these application issues.
Oligosaccharides serve as a food source for bacteria, similar to dietary fiber, and are classified as prebiotics. They facilitate the production of short-chain organic acids, which stimulate intestinal peristalsis and encourage the growth of beneficial probiotics, including lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria. This process helps to reduce the population of harmful bacteria, contributing to improved intestinal health.
Oligosaccharide Origin
In nature, fructooligosaccharides (FOS) occur only in limited plant sources, primarily onions, garlic, and sugarcane.
Oligosaccharides serve as nourishment for probiotics within the intestines, and probiotics depend on them for their survival and reproduction. Whether sourced from yogurt or live bacteria supplements, external probiotics can only persist in the intestines for a maximum of three to five days. In the absence of a consistent supply of a conducive living environment and nutrients, they will be rapidly metabolized. Consequently, providing oligosaccharides as a nutrient source for probiotics is more advantageous than consuming them directly.
It is important to recognize that commercially available beverages with oligosaccharides also contain a significant amount of sugar, making it unwise to consume them in excess.
The bloating experienced after the consumption of oligosaccharides is attributed to an insufficient amount of probiotics in the intestines, which cannot break down all the oligosaccharides simultaneously. By reducing the dosage, the bloating will gradually subside as the probiotics multiply.
12 key physiological roles of oligosaccharides
1.Promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestines.
2. Decrease the likelihood of intestinal infection.
3. Prevent pathogens and diarrhea.
4. Avoid constipation.
5. Safeguard liver function.
6. Decrease serum cholesterol.
7. Decrease blood pressure.
8. Control the immune system of the body.
9. Generate trace nutrients.
10. This is a dietary fiber that dissolves in water.
11. Minimal or absent energy functionality.
12. Does not lead to tooth decay.