OLIGOSACCHARIDES Meaning and
Definition
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Oligosaccharides are a type of carbohydrate that consists of a small number of monosaccharide units (simple sugars) linked together by glycosidic bonds. They are classified as polysaccharides, but unlike larger polysaccharides, they contain a relatively low number of sugar units, generally ranging from two to ten. Oligosaccharides can be found naturally in various types of foods, particularly in plants.
These carbohydrates play important roles in the body as prebiotics, which are non-digestible compounds that promote the growth and activity of beneficial bacteria in the gut. Due to their complex structure, oligosaccharides are resistant to digestion in the small intestine and reach the large intestine intact, where they serve as an energy source for so-called "good" bacteria such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus. By stimulating the growth of these bacteria, oligosaccharides contribute to maintaining a healthy balance of the gut microbiota.
Some common sources of oligosaccharides include legumes, onions, garlic, wheat, asparagus, and certain fruits. They are also commonly used as food additives in the form of oligosaccharide syrup or as ingredients in infant formulas to mimic the benefits of breast milk in promoting healthy gut bacteria. Additionally, oligosaccharides have been studied for their potential health benefits, such as improving calcium absorption, reducing constipation, and enhancing immune function.
Overall, oligosaccharides are important carbohydrates that play a crucial role in supporting gut health and have the potential to offer various health benefits.
Common Misspellings for OLIGOSACCHARIDES
- oligosaccharids
- iligosaccharides
- kligosaccharides
- lligosaccharides
- pligosaccharides
- 0ligosaccharides
- 9ligosaccharides
- okigosaccharides
- opigosaccharides
- ooigosaccharides
- olugosaccharides
- oljgosaccharides
- olkgosaccharides
- ologosaccharides
- ol9gosaccharides
- ol8gosaccharides
- olifosaccharides
- olivosaccharides
- olibosaccharides
- olihosaccharides
- Aligosaccharides
Etymology of OLIGOSACCHARIDES
The word oligosaccharides is derived from Greek and Latin roots.
The term oligo comes from the Greek word oligos, which means few or small. This reflects the fact that oligosaccharides are composed of a small number of sugar units.
The term saccharide comes from the Latin word saccharum, which means sugar. It refers to the fact that oligosaccharides are carbohydrates, specifically sugars.
Therefore, oligosaccharides literally means few sugars or small sugars.
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