Oligosaccharides

Oligosaccharides are chains of 3 to 10 simple sugars and can be found in a number of basic plant foods such as beans, onions, leeks and garlic. It is worth noting that the galactosyl-sucroses found in legume seeds, and the fructosyl-sucroses present in leeks, artichokes and onions, resist digestion in the upper GI tract. This is significant to the athlete as this resistance means they move to the colon largely unchanged. Once in the colon they will ferment and product volatile fatty acids and gases that can cause discomfort.