How beneficial are FOS for children? See what the experts say

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FOS: Fructooligosaccharides are a major class of bifidogenic oligosaccharides, non-digestible carbohydrates. These carbohydrates, known as fructans, oligofructans or oligofructose, are found naturally in bananas, apples, honey, chicory root, artichokes, etc.

Research has shown that prebiotics such as FOS are beneficial for the stomach and intestines of young children. Not only this, they also have many long term benefits for heart, mental health and bone health. The reason behind these beneficial effects is the stimulation of microbial activity in the gut by FOS.

Once inside the body, FOS passes through the small intestine into the cecum (a closed pouch-like area at the beginning of the large intestine). Here, bacterial hydrolysis of FOS occurs, releasing acetate, butyrate, propionate, L-lactate, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen. Short chain fatty acids inhibit the growth of pathogenic strains of bacteria at low pH while promoting the growth of beneficial strains of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria.

An abundance of bifidobacteria in a baby’s gut is a sign that the baby is in good health. Infants are healthy when the abundance of Bifidobacteria as well as the diversity of the gut microbiota is low.

One of the many benefits of FOS for the stomach and intestines is the reduction of constipation. Repeated intake of FOS increases the amount and frequency of defecation, increases the number of bifidobacteria, softens the stool, reduces the hardness of the stool and facilitates the bowel movement.

Consuming 6 FOS helps create a favorable colic environment, especially in breastfed babies. Three things were strongly observed in infants who were given 2.5 to 5 grams of FOS per day—shorter duration of diarrhea, less production of putrefactive substances in the gut, and a significantly lower stool pH.

Addition of 0.3 g FOS and equal amounts of xyloligosaccharides and 1 mmol zinc to 1 liter of oral rehydrating solution resulted in short-term treatment of diarrhea without the need for any other drugs. Modulation of the gut microbiota reduces the severity of acute gastroenteritis (AGE). FOS enhances gut microbiota which helps improve vitamin and mineral absorption. Thus, FOS have been found to be beneficial and safe for infants and young children.