Chapter 8 - Prebiotics in Infant Formulas: Risks and Benefits

Abstract

This chapter reviews the strength of evidence regarding the immune-stimulating effects of prebiotics, and how they are used in current infant formulas. It reviews the risks associated to its use and what is the regulatory status of prebiotics in infant formulas. Prebiotics in early nutrition have profound effects on the intestinal barrier, internal milieu, and defense mechanisms. It is well-established that a prebiotic mixture in infant formula has a bifidogenic effect. Based on experimental data, there is evidence that prebiotic oligosaccharides can modulate the natural defense system against infection during infancy. It is demonstrated that a mixture of fructo-oligosaccharides and galacto-oligosaccharides added to an infant formula (0.88 g/dL) significantly increases the number of bifidobacteria in feces in a dose-related way and reduces the number of pathogens when compared with unsupplemented formula. The functional effects of prebiotics on infant health and the long-term effects of different dietary prebiotics on adult health and gastrointestinal diseases need to be further studied in controlled intervention trials.