Anxiolytic effects of a galacto-oligosaccharides prebiotic in healthy females (18–25 years) with corresponding changes in gut bacterial composition

In this 2021 study, healthy female adults were assessed on mood and well-being after taking galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) prebiotic supplements every day for 4 weeks. Stool samples were collected before and after the intervention to analyze their gut microbiota. This study focused on nutritional supplementation in participants transitioning between late adolescence and early adulthood since these supplements have the potential to offset health-related costs in later life. The results suggested that galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) prebiotics may improve indices of pre-clinical anxiety. This was postulated based on the effect of GOS on trait anxiety, attentional bias, and bacterial abundance. These findings will contribute greatly to gut microbiota research. Having said that, with the current interest in this research area coming from scientists and community alike, additional human studies are warranted. [NPID: gut microbiota, galacto-oligosaccharides, prebiotics, supplementation, supplements, anxiety]

Year: 2021

Reference: Johnstone, N., Milesi, C., Burn, O., van den Bogert, B., Nauta, A., Hart, K., Sowden, P., Burnet, P., & Cohen Kadosh, K. (2021). Anxiolytic effects of a galacto-oligosaccharides prebiotic in healthy females (18-25 years) with corresponding changes in gut bacterial composition. Scientific reports, 11(1), 8302. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-87865-w