The gut health trend is here to stay. It has grown from taboo to trending in recent years and attracted a huge consumer following on- and offline.
As more and more people become aware of the link between digestive health and overall well-being, the spotlight has turned to the potential of gut health solutions, especially functional ingredients like prebiotics.
Research has shown that you can achieve better health outcomes by focusing on the inside out. That’s why we’re focused on helping consumers achieve a good gut feeling with game-changing GOS prebiotic ingredients.
Our gut health ingredients are tried and trusted the world over – in fact, our galacto-oligosaccharide, Biotis® GOS, is the most researched prebiotic in the world!
Consumers are taking a proactive, preventative approach to their health, causing a ripple effect across the wellness industry. For many, self-care means seeking out nutrition-rich food, drinks and supplements, culminating in a global functional food market that is expected to reach a colossal $237.8 billion by 2033.
Allied Market Research, 2024.
Gut health is an important cornerstone of the nutraceuticals market. But good gut health has benefits beyond improving digestive issues. Today’s consumers understand that different aspects of their health are connected, and that better gut health could unlock better overall physical and mental health.
The shift from viewing digestive health in isolation to a more holistic perspective opens opportunities for brands to develop innovative gut health solutions that address multiple health benefits at once.
More than 80% of consumers in China, the UK and the US consider digestive health to be important. And over 50% intend to make it a higher priority in the coming years.
McKinsey & Company. The trends defining the $1.8 trillion global wellness market in 2024. McKinsey Insights. January 16, 2024. Available from: https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/consumer-packaged-goods/our-insights/the-trends-defining-the-1-point-8-trillion-dollar-global-wellness-market-in-2024
So how do you develop stand-out gut health solutions that meet growing needs? As a recognised leader in prebiotic innovation, FrieslandCampina Ingredients offers safe, effective GOS prebiotic ingredients.
We can help you meet the latest gut health trends by developing effective supplements in popular formats like gummies and powders, as well as appealing functional food and drinks, such as shots, bars and vitamin drinks – for a gut-health glow-up on the go.
The US dietary supplements market is fast growing and fiercely competitive. Understanding the latest trends and insights is crucial to appeal to the region’s gut-conscious consumers. Find out more, including concept inspiration for developing on-trend supplements and the need-to-know opportunities in the North American market by watching this video.
Science backs up what many consumers already increasingly understand: overall health and well-being are founded on good gut health.
Mousa JJ, Newby R, Gamboa G, Brandvold A, Bogan C, Bergan-Roller HE. The gut microbiome: a key player in the complexity of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience. 2022;16:873226. https://doi.org/10.3389/fncel.2022.873226
The gut microbiota – the thousands of microbes in our gastrointestinal tract – has a profound impact on both health and disease, influencing not just digestive function but multiple aspects of our physical and mental well-being.
I. Sekirov, Shannon L. Russell, L. C. M. Antunes and B. B. Finlay. “Gut microbiota in health and disease..” Physiological reviews, 90 3 (2010): 859-904 . https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00045.2009.
Our gut microbiota is influenced by everything from age to how much we exercise, to stress levels and even the medications we take.
Nihal Hasan and Hongyi Yang. “Factors affecting the composition of the gut microbiota, and its modulation.” PeerJ, 7 (2019). https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7502.
But we are what we eat – nutrition is a powerful tool in changing gut microbiome composition and function for the better. Here, prebiotics show huge promise in supporting gut health and, by extension, overall wellness.
Gibson GR, Hutkins R, Sanders ME, Prescott SL, Reimer RA, Salminen SJ, Scott K, Stanton C, Swanson KS, Cani PD, Verbeke K. Expert consensus document: The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) consensus statement on the definition and scope of prebiotics. Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 2017;14(8):491-502. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2017.75
By eating for our gut microbiome, we benefit several linked health areas:
Digestive health:
GOS prebiotic ingredients can improve gut comfort, reduce bloating, ease constipation and alleviate other gastrointestinal symptoms by positively influencing gut microbiota composition. Wilson B, Rossi M, Dimidi E, Whelan K. Prebiotics in irritable bowel syndrome and other functional bowel disorders in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2019;109(4):1098-1111. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqy376 Teuri U, Korpela R. Galacto-oligosaccharides relieve constipation in elderly people. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism. 1998;42(6):319-327. https://doi.org/10.1159/000012751 and Sairanen U, Piirainen L, Nevala R, Korpela R. Yoghurt containing galacto-oligosaccharides, prunes and linseed reduces the severity of mild constipation in elderly subjects. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2007;61(12):1423-1428. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602670
Mental wellbeing:
Studies are giving new meaning to the term ‘brain food’, by highlighting the potential of GOS prebiotic ingredients in targeting the gut-brain axis. Benefits include reduced anxiety levels and improved mood, demonstrating the link between gut microbes and brain function. Johnstone N, Milesi C, Burn O, van den Bogert B, Nauta A, Hart K, Sowden P, Burnet PW, Cohen Kadosh K. Anxiolytic effects of a galacto-oligosaccharides prebiotic in healthy females (18–25 years) with corresponding changes in gut bacterial composition. Scientific Reports. 2021;11(1):8302. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-87865-w Cohen Kadosh K, Basso M, Knytl P, Johnstone N, Lau JY, Gibson GR. Psychobiotic interventions for anxiety in young people: a systematic review and meta-analysis, with youth consultation. The Lancet Psychiatry. 2021;8(9):831-844. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(21)00143-2
Muscle health:
Can diet affect athletic performance? Emerging science thinks so, thanks to the discovery of the gut-muscle axis – the connection between gut microbiota and muscle function, strength and recovery. Pugh JN, Kirk B, Fearn R, Morton JP, Close GL. Prevalence, severity and potential nutritional causes of gastrointestinal symptoms during a marathon in recreational runners. Nutrients. 2018;10(7):811. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10070811
The holistic impact of gut health extends even further, with potential implications for immunity and skin health too,
I. Salem, A. Ramser, N. Isham and M. Ghannoum. “The Gut Microbiome as a Major Regulator of the Gut-Skin Axis.” Frontiers in Microbiology, 9 (2018). https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2018.01459.
underlining the influence of our gut microbiome on overall well-being.
Introducing galacto-oligosaccharides: gut-loving prebiotics
Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) are non-digestible carbohydrates, which selectively feed beneficial gut bacteria to promote a healthier microbiome balance. These specialised prebiotics only nourish specific ‘good’ bacteria in the digestive system, particularly Bifidobacteria, to give gut health a powerful boost.
As GOS prebiotic ingredients are indigestible, they can reach the colon and are fermented there by the gut microbiota. There, GOS can selectively stimulate the growth of healthy gut microbiota and help maintain optimal composition and activity.
With dairy at our core, FrieslandCampina Ingredients is a global leader in developing and supplying GOS prebiotic ingredients. We have decades of experience of pioneering GOS for better health outcomes, which all began in the early life nutrition market, where GOS is now widely used in infant milk formula across the globe.
Today, with our research centre in the Netherlands and partnerships with leading universities worldwide, we continue to push galacto-oligosaccharides science even further. Our Biotis® GOS prebiotic ingredient is backed by extensive scientific research, with a bank of clinical studies demonstrating its positive effects on gut microbiota composition and its significant impact on digestive health and wider well-being.
As a trusted GOS supplier, we help brands create gut health solutions that deliver meaningful health benefits to consumers.
As a leading GOS manufacturer, FrieslandCampina Ingredients offers a specialised portfolio of GOS prebiotic ingredients to suit various formulation needs, while helping consumers to meet their health goals. Explore our high-quality, science-backed gut health solutions.
The world’s most clinically studied GOS (galactooligosaccharides) for gut health, proven to beneficially influence the gut microbiota and ideal for use in a range of functional food and drinks and sports nutrition.
A first-of-its kind fermented gut health solution, harnessing the benefits of whey protein and prebiotic GOS, fermented with prebiotic cultures.
With a galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) content of over 90%, Biotis® GOS OP High-Purity is our purest prebiotic ingredient for gut health, ideal for use in small formats, such as dietary supplements.
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Several studies show that Biotis GOS positively influence the microbiota,
Krumbeck et al. Probiotic Bifidobacterium strains and galacto-oligosaccharides improve intestinal barrier function in obese adults but show no synergism when used together as synbiotics, Microbiome, vol.6, p121 (2018).
Jeroense et al. Acute Consumption of Prebiotic Galacto-Oligosaccharides Increases Iron Absorption from Ferrous Fumarate, but not from Ferrous Sulfate and Ferric Pyrophosphate: Stable Iron Isotope Studies in Iron-Depleted Young Women, The Journal of Nutrition (2020).
Walton et al. A randomised crossover study investigating the effects of galactooligosaccharides on the faecal microbiota in men and women over 50 years of age, Br J Nutr 107 (2012).
leading to gastrointestinal health benefits, including reduced constipation.
Teuri U, Korpela R. Galacto-oligosaccharides relieve constipation in elderly people. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism. 1998;42(6):319-327. https://doi.org/10.1159/000012751 and Sairanen U, Piirainen L, Nevala R, Korpela R. Yoghurt containing galacto-oligosaccharides, prunes and linseed reduces the severity of mild constipation in elderly subjects. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2007;61(12):1423-1428. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602670
Sairanen et al. Yoghurt containing galacto-oligosaccharides, prunes and linseed reduces the severity of mild constipation in elderly subjects, European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2007).
In one clinical study with elderly adults, participants were given 9g/Biotis® GOS per day in a yoghurt, with a placebo group consuming yoghurt without added GOS. Over the two-week trial period, Biotis® GOS showed increased defecation frequency and ease in the defecation process compared to the control group.
Teuri U, Korpela R. Galacto-oligosaccharides relieve constipation in elderly people. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism. 1998;42(6):319-327. https://doi.org/10.1159/000012751 and Sairanen U, Piirainen L, Nevala R, Korpela R. Yoghurt containing galacto-oligosaccharides, prunes and linseed reduces the severity of mild constipation in elderly subjects. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2007;61(12):1423-1428. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602670
A later study reinforces the effects of Biotis® GOS on constipation in elderly adults. Participants with self-reported constipation were randomised to receive either a placebo or a Biotis® GOS dose of 12g/day in a yoghurt with prunes and linseeds. Consumption of Biotis® GOS supplemented yoghurt was shown to reduce the severity of constipation.
GOS has also been shown to hold potential benefits for sufferers of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
A meta-analysis of 11 studies investigated the impact of prebiotics on gastrointestinal symptoms in adults with IBS or functional bowel disorders. The results found that non-inulin type fructans such as GOS can potentially reduce flatulence and bloating.
Wilson B, Rossi M, Dimidi E, Whelan K. Prebiotics in irritable bowel syndrome and other functional bowel disorders in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2019;109(4):1098-1111. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqy376
Although lactose-intolerant people should avoid food and supplements containing lactose, emerging evidence suggests the potential of prebiotic-based strategies to improve symptoms by modulating the colonic microbiota.
One study found that galacto-oligosaccharides were well-tolerated in those suffering from lactose intolerance, and when taken as part of a dairy diet, led to a decrease in self-reported diarrhoea.
Angima et al. Effects of galactooligosaccharides (GOS) on the gut microbiota in lactose intolerant individuals, LWT, 216, 2025.
GOS can be synthesized on a commercial scale from lactose, using beta-galactosidases. Recent advances in industrial applications of GOS using non-conventional yeast strains have opened up more opportunities for large-scale and cost-effective production, increasing the accessibility of GOS for clinical and consumer use even further.
FrieslandCampina DOMO was the first producer to introduce organic GOS syrup on a global scale. Produced from organic-certified lactose using a proprietary enzymatic technology, it is now an important addition to organic infant milk formula.
Ready to explore how our galacto-oligosaccharides can elevate your next product innovation? Get in touch with our experts or request a sample to discover the potential of GOS prebiotic benefits for your brand.
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