Gastrointestinal health
The role of prebiotic fibre in supporting digestive health is becoming increasingly prevalent as gut health science advances.
The gastrointestinal (GI) system, sometimes referred to as the digestive system, has a crucial role to play in our overall health and wellbeing.
The key is the modulation of the gut microbiome, which hosts a diverse community of bacteria found in the large intestine, and this is where prebiotics come into play.


Gastrointestinal health and the gut microbiome
Certain types of bacteria in this community are particularly beneficial to health and wellbeing, known as good gut bacteria, which include groups such as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli.
As well as assisting in the breakdown of food and absorption of nutrients, research shows that these microbes play a role in supporting other areas of health. These include supporting immune health, cognition and importantly, gastrointestinal health.
This is why it is of particular importance to nourish health positive bacteria, to promote a healthy and diverse composition of gut microbes in the gut.
One of the most prevalent gastrointestinal disorders is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (known as IBS). Believed to affect between 10-15% of the global population (Lovell & Ford, 2012; Lacy & Patel, 2017; Sperber et al., 2021), its symptoms tend to vary from one individual to another.
Commonly reported symptoms and comorbidities include digestive discomfort, abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhoea. Prebiotics, such as galactooligosaccharides, are proving to be an effective means of managing the symptoms of IBS.
How can Bimuno® GOS support gastrointestinal health?
Particular types of beneficial bacteria, such as bifidobacteria, are nourished by prebiotic dietary fibre, such as Bimuno GOS. These advantageous bacteria share a close relationship with regular gut function, and similarly, the compositional balance of good bacteria can influence gastrointestinal symptoms.
The difference with Bimuno GOS, is that it has a unique compositional structure, which has a specificity for bifidobacteria. Bimuno GOS is the most studied commercially available galactooligosaccharide. Its safety and efficacy are supported by over than 120 scientific publications, including more than 20 clinical trials.
In addition, studies show that Bimuno GOS can improve gastrointestinal symptoms in both healthy individuals, and those suffering with IBS (Silk, 2009; Vulevic, 2018; Huaman, 2018; Wilson, 2020).
This marks it as an excellent functional ingredient for supplements and medical nutrition products targeting gastrointestinal health issues, such as IBS, gas, bloating, constipation and diarrhoea.
Bimuno GOS is shown to:
- Reduce abdominal pain associated with digestive discomfort (Silk et al, 2009; Vulevic et al, 2018; Huaman et al, 2018)
- Decrease intestinal bloating and abdominal distension (Silk et al, 2009; Vulevic et al, 2018, Huaman et al, 2018; Wilson et al, 2020)
- Reduce accumulation of flatulence in the gut (Silk et al, 2009)
- Improve Quality of Life through more regular stools (Silk et al, 2009)
- Lowers anxiety associated with gastrointestinal symptoms (Silk et al, 2009)
