What Are Oligosaccharides, its structure and properties?

Oligosaccharides are a kind of sugar or carbohydrate just like monosaccharides and polysaccharides. The structure of the oligosaccharides is made of around three to 10 monosaccharides or sugars, connected together to form a chain. In this blog we are going to tell you the Health Benefits of Oligosaccharides, so read this blog carefully to get the complete information. The oligosaccharides have very similar physical and compound properties as both have a sweet tasteand can be dissolved in water and are available in an assortment of food sources.

Oligofructose is one of the most well-known types of oligosaccharide which is found in vegetables like tomatoes, asparagus and onion. Most kinds of fiber are known as oligosaccharides and polysaccharides. The fundamental distinction between oligosaccharides and polysaccharides is that polysaccharides are significantly longer and can even contain a number of monosaccharides

Oligosaccharides are divided as a kind of prebiotic, which is a compound that isn’t processed by the body but utilized as fuel and used by the microorganisms in the stomach. They are connected to a number of medical advantages due to their indigestive and prebiotics properties.

Varieties of Oligosaccharides –

There are several types of oligosaccharides commonly found in the diet. The classification differs based on the specific molecules, length and structure of the chain.

Following are the common types of oligosaccharides:

  • Fructo-oligosaccharides/oligofructose
  • Gluco-oligosaccharides
  • Galacto-oligosaccharides
  • Lactosucrose
  • Maltotriose
  • Human milk oligosaccharides

Food Sources of oligosaccharides –

There is a variety of different fruits and vegetables with a lot of nutritious oligosaccharides. It will help you to improve your diet with numerous benefits. Following are the top oligosaccharide food sources:

  • Onions
  • Garlic
  • Leeks
  • Asparagus
  • Tomatoes
  • Jicama
  • Dandelion root
  • Bananas
  • Yacon
  • Wheat
  • Chicory
  • Jerusalem artichoke
  • Burdock root

Major Health benefits of Oligosaccharides –

There are a number of health benefits that can sustain you in many ways. We have a list of few of them, have a look here:

  1. Stabilize Blood Sugar Levels: High glucose levels can negatively affect numerous parts of health and can cause aftereffects like weakness, fatigue, increased urination and thirst. As indicated by a 2012 survey led by the Federal University of Amazon in Brazil, consuming fructo-oligosaccharides can help glucose digestion by lowering glucose levels and reducing digestion.As per other research, oligosaccharides can also increase insulin affectability, improvingthe body’s capacity to transport sugar from the circulatory system to the cells.
  2. Lower Cholesterol and Triglycerides: Few researches show that oligosaccharides can beneficiallylessen triglyceride levels in order to improve heart health. Prebiotics supplements can help improve levels of triglycerides and “good” HDL cholesterol compared to a control group.
  3. Boost Weight Loss: Are you trying to lose weight? If yes, consider adding a few servings of prebiotics to your daily diet. Adding a supplement of prebiotics in your diet could be highly beneficial for weight management.Also, oligosaccharides help stimulate the growth of probiotics, helping to increase weight loss and decrease belly fat simultaneously.
  4. Improve Immunity: Oligosaccharides can improve the body’s ability to defend against illness and infection as well as stimulate the immune system. If you consume prebiotics then they increase the expression of cytokines, a type of protein that regulates immune function. Also, adding oligosaccharides prebiotics in your diet acts as fuel and plays the main role in immunity and inflammation.
  5. Increase Digestive Health: Oligosaccharides is a great way to improve gut health by forming beneficial bacteria found in the digestive tract.If you increase the intake of oligosaccharides in your diet then it can help improve the strength of the intestinal barrier to reduce inflammation and protect against leaky gut.

Side effects of consuming high amount of Oligosaccharides –

If food ishigh in oligosaccharides then for sure, it is also typically high in fibers. There is no doubt to say that fiber is essential to overall health but it can also cause several risks and side effects if consumed in high amounts. The major risks of consuming high amounts of prebiotics and fibers include bloating, gas and stomach pain.

In order to prevent negative symptoms, it is good to increase fiber intake slowly. Also, it will be a nice gesture if you pair it with plenty of water to stay hydrated and keep the digestive tract moving and healthy.Consuming a variety of oligosaccharide foods is generally safe but it is advised toconsult with your doctor before using prebiotic supplements. Consultation becomes very important if you are taking any medications or suffering from any underlying health conditions.

Also Read : – Superb Health Benefits of Ragi

Last Words –

Oligosaccharides are one of a type of carbohydrate which is composed of several monosaccharides or sugars. These are linked together in a chain and act as a prebiotic in the body. Oligosaccharides are fermented by the good bacteria in the gut and promote the health of the gut microbiome. The most common types of Oligosaccharides include oligofructose, maltotriose,galacto-oligosaccharides and lactosucrose.You can find oligosaccharides in a variety of food sources including garlic, tomato, onions, leeks and asparagus along with other nutritious ingredients. If potential oligosaccharides are consumed on a regular basis then it can benefit in a number of ways including improved immunity, increased digestive health,decreased cholesterol and triglyceride levels, better blood sugar control and weight management.In last, I hope, this blog is sufficient enough to provide the information about health benefits of Oligosaccharides.