Are FOS and IMO Beneficial to Intestinal Flora?

The intestine is often called the "second brain". There are trillions of microorganisms living inside it. The health of these microorganisms has a direct impact on our immunity, emotions and thinking patterns. To maintain intestinal health, we need a sufficient number of active microorganisms, namely "probiotics".

Probiotics can help us digest food, promote gastrointestinal motility, promote the absorption of nutrients and enzymes, and form a biological barrier by occupying binding sites on the intestinal mucosa, thereby preventing the colonization and invasion of harmful bacteria. At the same time, they can also produce antibacterial substances to further maintain the balance of intestinal flora and protect intestinal health.

Prebiotics: "superfood" of probiotics

Prebiotics have high nutritional value and physiological metabolic functions. Prebiotics cannot be digested and absorbed by the human body, but can be fermented by bacteria in the large intestine. Without stimulating harmful bacteria with potential pathogenicity or corruption activity, they provide nutrition for beneficial bacteria, promote the metabolism and proliferation of beneficial bacteria in the body, and then regulate the balance of intestinal microecology and maintain intestinal health. As food for probiotics, prebiotics can maintain the activity of probiotics. It does not refer to a certain nutrient, but a general term for a large class of nutrients, usually including dietary fiber, functional oligosaccharides, etc.

Fructo-oligosaccharides

Fructo-oligosaccharides are confirmed by international nutritionists as "difficult to digest water-soluble dietary fiber" and can regulate the balance of human microecology in both directions. It has been confirmed to be the only prebiotic with the dual physiological characteristics of super bifidobacteria factor and water-soluble dietary fiber.

1. Promote defecation: Fructo-oligosaccharides have the characteristics of water absorption and swelling, which can increase the volume of feces by absorbing water and promote fecal formation. At the same time, fructo-oligosaccharides cannot be decomposed by digestive enzymes in the intestines, nor can they be digested and absorbed by the stomach and small intestine. They can directly enter the large intestine, continuously ferment to produce organic acids, reduce the pH value of the intestine, stimulate intestinal peristalsis, and promote defecation.

2. Resist bacteria: After being used by beneficial bacteria in the intestines, fructo-oligosaccharides can promote the proliferation of bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria. Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus can inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and resist infection by pathogens, thereby improving the body's resistance to disease.

3. Promote mineral absorption: The metabolism of FOS in the intestine will reduce the intestinal pH value, form an acidic environment, and enhance the active and passive transport of intestinal epithelial cells, which has a significant effect on promoting mineral absorption. Academic reports show that when women consume FOS during adolescence and menopause, it can promote the absorption of calcium and magnesium.

Isomalto-oligosaccharides

Isomaltooligosaccharides have low sweetness and low calories, are difficult to be digested by gastric enzymes, and all enter the intestines. Basically, they do not affect blood sugar and blood lipid levels. Diabetic patients can eat them with confidence.

1. Enhance satiety: IMO is made from starch through the action of some enzymes, which contains some dietary fiber. Proper consumption before meals can enhance satiety and reduce intake during meals.

2. Regulate intestinal flora: IMO will not be hydrolyzed or digested in the gastrointestinal tract, and can directly reach the large intestine, where they are preferentially used by bifidobacteria, helping them to multiply in large numbers. They can also inhibit the production of harmful flora, toxins, and corrupt substances, and promote the adjustment of the intestinal microecology to a benign cycle.

3. Prevent dental caries: Oligosaccharides will not be decomposed by the enzymes in the mouth, nor will they be used by caries streptococci. When combined with sucrose, they will inhibit the synthesis of insoluble glucans, making it difficult for dental plaque to adhere to the teeth, and can also help prevent the formation of tartar, thereby helping to prevent dental caries.

Prebiotics are good helpers to help regulate intestinal flora and maintain intestinal health. Therefore, it is necessary to supplement prebiotics such as FOS and IMO in time. When the probiotics in the intestines are happy, our bodies will also feel comfortable.