Oligosaccharides: A Key for Gut Health

The recent fermentable fiber revolution has emerged on the prospect of providing digestive health benefits such as enhanced immune system, mineral adsorption, and general colonic health. These benefits accrue from dietary component, primarily ‘non-digestible’ (ND) dietary carbohydrates that reach the colon intact or partially digested by the stomach or small intestine. The fructo-, galacto-, and xylooligosaccharides, as well as fermentable carbohydrates such as pectin, arabinoxylans, and resistant starch form part of this diverse group of compounds also commonly referred to as ‘prebiotic’. These prebiotic modulate the composition and metabolism of the gut microbiota thereby improving long-term human health status. Numerous studies have shown that gut microbiota is significantly influenced by the type and quantity of nondigestible carbohydrate in the diet, hence the increased awareness of food industries and consumers in incorporating a wide range of pre- and pro-biotics in the daily...