GOS (Galactooligosaccharides)
Research reviewed: 2007–2019
GOS (Galactooligosaccharides) (Galactooligosaccharides) is a dietary supplement with 8 published peer-reviewed studies involving 678 participants, researched for Prebiotic & Gut Microbiome, Immune Function, Allergy Prevention and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Prebiotic & Gut Microbiome
ModerateImmune Function
ModerateAllergy Prevention
ModerateCholesterol & Metabolic Effects
WeakResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Prebiotic & Gut Microbiome
Evaluate GOS on Bifidobacterium levels in healthy volunteers
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Evaluate GOS on Bifidobacterium levels in healthy volunteers
Dose
5.5 g/day
Participants
40
Duration
8 weeks
Results
3-fold increase in Bifidobacterium; significantly elevated acetate; improved stool frequency; no adverse GI events
How They Measured It
Faecal Bifidobacterium (qPCR), SCFA, gut transit
Test GOS on gut microbiome composition in overweight adults
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Test GOS on gut microbiome composition in overweight adults
Dose
5.5 g/day
Participants
45
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Increased Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus; reduced Bacteroides; improved microbial diversity; reduced gut inflammation
How They Measured It
16S rRNA sequencing, metabolomics
Immune Function
Assess GOS on immune markers and infection frequency
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Assess GOS on immune markers and infection frequency
Dose
5.5 g/day
Participants
80
Duration
12 weeks (winter)
Results
sIgA significantly elevated; trend toward fewer respiratory infections; NK cell activity improved; well-tolerated
How They Measured It
Secretory IgA, NK cells, cold/flu incidence
Evaluate GOS on IBS symptoms and gut function
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Evaluate GOS on IBS symptoms and gut function
Dose
3.5 g/day
Participants
58
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Significant improvement in IBS-SSS; stool consistency improved; notable reduction in anxiety scores; Bifidobacterium increased
How They Measured It
IBS-SSS, stool consistency, anxiety scores (HADS)
Allergy Prevention
Test GOS in infant formula for allergy prevention
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Test GOS in infant formula for allergy prevention
Dose
0.8 g/100 mL infant formula
Participants
259
Duration
12 months
Results
Significant reduction in atopic dermatitis incidence; IgE normalised toward breastfed reference; Th1/Th2 balance improved
How They Measured It
Allergy incidence (eczema, wheeze, food allergy), IgE, Th1/Th2
Evaluate GOS for bowel habit normalisation
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Evaluate GOS for bowel habit normalisation
Dose
5.5 g/day
Participants
63
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Improved stool consistency and frequency; reduced bloating after adaptation; consistent with bulk-forming and bifidogenic effects
How They Measured It
Bristol Stool Scale, stool frequency, gut comfort
Cholesterol & Metabolic Effects
Review evidence on GOS for prebiotic and metabolic effects
Study Type
Systematic Review
Purpose
Review evidence on GOS for prebiotic and metabolic effects
Dose
Various
Participants
98
Duration
Various
Results
Strong evidence for bifidogenic effects; immune modulation consistent; cholesterol effects modest; allergy prevention promising
How They Measured It
PRISMA systematic review; microbiome, immune, metabolic outcomes
Assess GOS on cholesterol and metabolic markers in overweight adults
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Assess GOS on cholesterol and metabolic markers in overweight adults
Dose
10 g/day
Participants
35
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Modest LDL reduction (−6%); improved insulin sensitivity; no significant weight change; well-tolerated
How They Measured It
Total cholesterol, LDL, glucose, insulin, body weight
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about GOS (Galactooligosaccharides) research
There are currently 8 peer-reviewed studies on GOS (Galactooligosaccharides) (Galactooligosaccharides), involving 678 total participants. Research covers Prebiotic Effects, Gut Microbiome, Immune Function and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (8 human studies), and reported outcomes.
GOS (Galactooligosaccharides) has been researched for: Prebiotic Effects, Gut Microbiome, Immune Function, Allergy Prevention. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 8 out of 8 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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