Galactooligosaccharides (GOS)

What’s Galactooligosaccharides (GOS) ?

Galactooligosaccharides (GOS), referred to as Galactooligosaccharides (GOS), is a oligosaccharide composed of 2-8 galactose molecules connected by β-1, 4-glucoside bonds, which is a kind of prebiotic. Colorless or light yellow, transparent viscous liquid, or white or slightly yellow powder, sweetness is 20% to 40% of sucrose, refreshing taste. It can be used in dairy products to solve the problem of lactose intolerance, improve the flavor, texture and color of baked foods, and its nutritional value will not be lost during high temperature heating. It can also be added to foods or nutritional supplements as a prebiotic ingredient. As a natural prebiotic, galactose oligosaccharide has a variety of health benefits and is widely used in the food field.

The core benefits of galactooligosaccharides (GOS) lie in health management, primarily in four areas:

1. Regulating Gut Microbiota: As a “golden regulator” of the gut microbiota, GOS selectively promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, while inhibiting the overgrowth of harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Clostridium. Daily intake of 5-10g can increase the proportion of beneficial bacteria in the gut by 30%-50%, effectively improving functional bowel problems such as constipation and diarrhea. It also promotes the production of short-chain fatty acids (butyric acid, acetic acid), repairs the intestinal mucosa, lowers intestinal pH, and reduces the risk of pathogenic bacteria adhesion, making it particularly suitable for establishing the intestinal barrier in infants and young children and regulating the declining intestinal function in the elderly.

2. Indirectly Enhancing Immunity: The gut is the colonization site of 70% of the body’s immune cells. GOS indirectly enhances humoral and cellular immunity by optimizing the balance of gut microbiota, strengthening the intestinal barrier function (reducing endotoxin entry into the bloodstream), and activating the activity of immune cells such as dendritic cells and T cells. Clinical data shows that long-term intake can reduce the rate of respiratory infections in children by 25% and shorten the recovery period of intestinal infections in adults by 30%, making it particularly beneficial for infants, pregnant women, the elderly, and other groups with weakened immune systems.

3. Promotes Mineral Absorption and Metabolic Regulation
Promotes mineral absorption: By chelating metal ions and optimizing the intestinal pH environment, it can increase intestinal calcium solubility by 40%, significantly improving the absorption rate of minerals such as calcium, iron, and zinc, helping to prevent rickets in infants and osteoporosis in adults.

Regulates blood sugar metabolism: It slows down glucose absorption and improves insulin sensitivity, reducing postprandial blood glucose peaks by 15%-20% (GI<20), making it an ideal dietary component for diabetic patients.

4. Protects Oral Health and Assists in Weight Management
Oral health: It is not broken down by oral streptococci, inhibiting the adhesion of Streptococcus mutans, reducing the incidence of tooth decay, making it suitable for children and other groups who need to prevent tooth decay.

Weight management: Its caloric value is only 1/5 that of sucrose, and it can promote the production of short-chain fatty acids related to fat metabolism, reduce fat accumulation, and lower the risk of obesity-related metabolic diseases.