Abstract
Effects of large or long-term intake of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) on defecation, abdominal symptoms and physical conditions were tested in 21 healthy humans (11 males and 10 females; average age 38.5±8.3 years). The subjects were divided into two groups; the large intake group (6 males and 5 females; average age 38.8±9.3 years) was given 180 mL soft drink/day (containing 12 g GOS) for 2 weeks and the long-term intake group (5 males and 5 females; average age 38.2±7.0 years) was given 60 ml soft drink/day (containing 4 g GUS) for. 12 weeks after the 2 weeks intake of a placebo drink. In both groups, there were no clinical problems in defecation, abdominal symptoms and physical conditions (blood pressure, blood examinations, urinalysis and interview) during the test period. Furthermore, in the constipation tendency subjects in the ong-term intake group, after the 3 weeks intake of soft drinks (60 mL/day; containing 4 g GOS), defecation frequency, fecal properties and volumes were improved. These results show that the long-term intake has a beneficial effect and is safe for ealthy humans, suggesting that it contributes to humans to maintain good gastrointestinal conditions.
