Oligosaccharides, what they are and what benefits they have for children

Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for the cells of the body and are essential for the daily activity of the organism, above all, they are directly the nourishment of the brain, and the fuel for muscles, of great importance in childhood, because growth and learning are priorities. In additi

In addition, they are, along with proteins, the macronutrients that contribute fewer calories, compared to the fats that provide 9 kcal per gram. One of the types of carbohydrates that have the most benefits for children are oligosaccharides, we tell you what they are and why they are good.

Oligosaccharides, a type of carbohydrate

There are different types of carbohydrates depending on their molecular composition:

- Monosaccharides, with a single molecule of sugar, such as glucose, galactose and fructose

- Oligosaccharides, formed by several monosaccharides. Oligosaccharides include disaccharides such as sucrose, maltose and lactose, which contain two sugar molecules.

- Polysaccharides, which are formed by the union of many sugar molecules.

What benefits do oligosaccharides have for children

Oligosaccharides are found in many vegetables, such as leeks, onions, asparagus, garlic or artichokes, and fruits such as tomatoes or bananas for example, as well as cereals. like wheat, especially integral. Oligosaccharides, what benefits do they have for children?

Complex carbohydrates, oligosaccharides and polysaccharides have advantages over simple carbohydrates:

1. They provide fiber, whose consumption has been associated with:

- The decrease in risk factors of some types of cancer

- At a lower risk of diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.

- Regulates intestinal motility ensuring good digestion and preventing constipation.

2. A variety of oligosaccharides are the so-called fructo-oligosaccharides (also known as oligofructose), natural compounds containing fructose and soluble fiber. These oligosaccharides have the peculiarity of being considered prebiotics, whose most striking property is that they serve as food for bacteria that are commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract, favoring growth and natural selection within this ecosystem - usually composed of bifidobacteria and / or lactic bacteria. 3. A good state of the bacterial ecosystem promotes benefits in the health of children, thanks to the competition they generate against any invading microorganism. They generate a hostile environment for pathogenic bacteria that could reach the intestine, thus increasing protection against infections.However, the fermentation of the oligosaccharides also produces gas, which can become a disadvantage when its consumption is high, since it causes discomfort, especially in the smallest.