Prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients, usually carbohydrates, which feed probiotic bacteria in the digestive tract. This promotes the development of health gut flora by allowing the 'friendly' bifidobateria to flourish, which then promotes the production of short chain fatty acids. It is thought that this is one of the things which have traditionally given breastfed babies the softer, more optimal stool consistency and a much lower incidence of colicky and gassy symptoms. Many formula manufacturers are now adding prebiotics to their formula in the form of oligosaccharides, most are galacto-oligosaccharides, (GOS) ie coming from lactose.

The term “oligosaccharide” refers to a short chain of sugar molecules (“oligo” means “few” and “saccharide” means “sugar.”) They are amongst the most abundant solid components in breastmilk, which actually contains more than 130 different types. Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), which are found in many vegetables, consist of short chains of fructose molecules. Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), which also occur naturally, consist of short chains of galactose molecules. These compounds can be only partially digested by humans. Almost 90 percent escape digestion in the small intestine and so go on to reach the colon, where they perform a different function: that of a prebiotic.

FOS is found naturally in Jerusalem artichoke, chicory, leeks, onions, and asparagus. FOS products derived from chicory root contain significant quantities of inulin, a fibre widely distributed in fruits, vegetables and plants, which is classified as a food ingredient (not as an additive) and is considered to be safe to eat. In fact, inulin is a significant part of the daily diet of most of the world's population.

GOS is naturally found in soybeans and can be synthesised from lactose - the milk's sugar.


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