1. GOS is a component of human breast milk and therefore is natural and safe. 2. GOS promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria L. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium and inhibits that of pathogenic bacteria, this contrasts with fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS). 3. GOS is different from FOS in that it is heat and acid stable, which is an advantage for food manufacturing processing and further prolongs the shelf-life of the products. 4. GOS is not easily digested and therefore contains only around 50% of energy comparing to other sugars (2 kcal/g). 5. GOS acts in the same way as edible fibres which assist intestinal peristalsis, improving its functionality.
