Immune-stimulating and gut health-promoting properties of short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides

Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides are a group of linear fructose oligomers with a degree of polymerization ranging from one up to five (oligosaccharides). Recent observations in animal models demonstrate that prebiotics and probiotics may exert beneficial effects on gut health by enhancing gut-associated lymphoid tissue responses either directly or indirectly through the production of short-chain fatty acids and the enhanced growth of lactic bacteria such as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. Demonstration of the potential health benefits of short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides on colon cancer risk is an active field of research in animal and human nutrition.