Synergism of gos and polyfructose

Abstract

The present invention relates to the filed of prebiotics. Provided are uses for compositions comprising synergistically effective amounts of polyfructose and galactooligosaccharides (GOS).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to the field of human health and nutrition. It provides novel synergistic mixtures of prebiotic carbohydrates, especially mixtures of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS, for example TOS) and polyfructose (for example inulin), as well as nutritional compositions comprising these. The nutritional compositions have beneficial effects when fed to bottle fed or partially bottle fed infants and also have health improving effects when ingested by adults having intestinal problems, such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The microflora of the human large intestine (typically divided into caecum, colon and rectum) plays a crucial role in both human nutrition and health. The bacterial composition is influenced and can be modulated by dietary intake. Carbohydrates which have passed through the stomach and small intestine are metabolised by the bacteria and as a major end-pro...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]The present inventors surprisingly found that GOS (especially TOS) and polyfructose (especially inulin), when administered together, provide a number of beneficial effects which cannot be explained by an increase in the number of intestinal bifidobacteria and which are, therefore, not due to the bifidogenic effect described for TOS or inulinHP in the prior art (e.g. in Boehm et al. 2002, supra). In particular, it was unexpectedly found that, following administration of GOS and polyfructose mixtures, there was an increase in the total amounts of SCFA formed, an increase in the relative amounts of acetate and lactate and a decrease in faecal pH of infants, whereby these effects were not correlated with an increased (relative) amount of Bifidobacteria. Beside a beneficial SCFA amount and profile and an increased amount of lactate, a decrease in gas formation was observed. Further, lactate itself was found to have a hitherto unknown beneficial effect on the colon, as it was found to increase the secretion of prostaglandin E1 and prostaglandin E2. This effect was previously only reported for SCFA, especially acetate (Willemsen et al. 2003, Gut 52, 1442-1447). Compositions comprising lactate, and compositions comprising prebiotics which stimulate lactate production, may therefore be used to stimulate mucin production and support the mucosal barrier integrity (mucoprotection). Lactate was further found to decrease spontaneous contractions and tension in colonic muscles, resulting in relief of cramp and pain.

Problems solved by technology

But also the formation of gases, which results in unwanted symptoms such as flatulence and abdominal pain, has been reported when introducing prebiotics, such as inulin or GOS, into the diet.

Furthermore, not only acetate but also increases in, for example, butyrate have been reported, which is undesirable.

A range of undesirable effects have therefore been described, resulting from the consumption of nutrition supplemented with certain prebiotics.

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