Xyloglucan

Xyloglucan is a hemicellulose polysaccharide, a type of natural fibre found in plant cell walls. Think of it as the plant’s scaffolding, giving the plant its structure and strength. Xyloglucan is not digestible by humans, but it plays a role in keeping our gut healthy by feeding beneficial bacteria.¹²

What are the health benefits of xyloglucan?

Mucous membrane protection. Recent research has shown that when the protective lining in organs like the gut and lungs is compromised, it can lead to various diseases. Xyloglucan, a natural substance with proven abilities to strengthen these barriers, is being considered as a new way to manage diseases that often involve weakened protective linings.³⁴⁵ XOS increase the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate, which are beneficial for gut health and have anti-inflammatory properties, improving bowel regularity and reducing symptoms of constipation.⁶
Protection against UTIs. Xyloglucan helps prevent urinary tract infections, reducing E. coli-colony-forming units in the urinary tract.⁷⁸
Specific prebiotic activity. Xyloglucan is metabolised by the beneficial microbe Bacteoides ovatus⁹ The science on this symbiont is emerging and is still based largely pre-clinical, but researchers have found that Bacteroides ovatus colonisation influences the abundance of short chain fatty acids and neurotransmitters in the gut,¹⁰ helping with the resolution of inflammation in animal models of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).¹¹

What microbes are involved in the metabolism of xyloglucan?

Various gut bacteria are capable of metabolising xyloglucan, with species from the genera Bacteroides and Ruminococcus being particularly proficient. They break down xyloglucan into simpler compounds, which are further metabolised into short-chain fatty acids and other beneficial molecules.¹²¹³

How can you get more xyloglucan in your diet?

Our Complete Prebiotic provides a good source of Xyloglucan. It is primarily found in plant-based foods, especially in fruits, vegetables, grains, and seeds.¹⁴

Where to find your xyloglucan score in the Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Test

You will find your xyloglucan score in the “Prebiotics” report in your Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Test results. Guidance on how to work with your xyloglucan score will be featured in your personal action plan. Please note that this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your GP or another qualified health provider if you have any questions about the impact of xyloglucan on your health.

Synonyms: Hemicelluloses, plant polysaccharides.

Important disclaimer

The Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Handbook is an educational resource built to translate complex science into plain English. The information provided on this page is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your GP or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Always check with your GP for interactions with medications/health conditions before changing your diet or starting to take food supplements.

References

1
Lin SH, Chou LM, Chien YW, Chang JS, Lin CI. Prebiotic Effects of Xylooligosaccharides on the Improvement of Microbiota Balance in Human Subjects. Gastroenterol Res Pract. 2016;2016:5789232. doi: 10.1155/2016/5789232.
2
Santibáñez L, Henríquez C, Corro-Tejeda R, Bernal S, Armijo B, Salazar O. Xylooligosaccharides from lignocellulosic biomass: A comprehensive review. Carbohydr Polym. 2021 Jan 1;251:117118. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.117118.
3
Piqué N, Gómez-Guillén MDC, Montero MP. Xyloglucan, a Plant Polymer with Barrier Protective Properties over the Mucous Membranes: An Overview. Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Feb 27;19(3):673. doi: 10.3390/ijms19030673.
4
Esposito E, Campolo M, Casili G, Lanza M, Franco D, Filippone A, Peritore AF, Cuzzocrea S. Protective Effects of Xyloglucan in Association with the Polysaccharide Gelose in an Experimental Model of Gastroenteritis and Urinary Tract Infections. Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Jun 22;19(7):1844. doi: 10.3390/ijms19071844.
5
de Los Rios CC, Falcón BS, Arguelles-Arias F, Pérez E, Teruel C, Geijo F, Rey E. Long-term safety and efficacy study of a medical device containing xyloglucan, pea protein reticulated with tannins and xylo-oligosaccharides, in patients with diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2021 May 30;14:17562848211020570. doi: 10.1177/17562848211020570.
6
Tateyama I, Hashii K, Johno I, Iino T, Hirai K, Suwa Y, Kiso Y. Effect of xylooligosaccharide intake on severe constipation in pregnant women. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2005 Dec;51(6):445-8. doi: 10.3177/jnsv.51.445.
7
Esposito E, Campolo M, Casili G, Lanza M, Franco D, Fazio E, Filippone A, Paterniti I, Cuzzocrea S. Efficacy of Xyloglucan against Escherichia coli Extraintestinal Urinary Tract Infection: An in vivo Study. Microb Physiol. 2020;30(1-6):50-60. doi: 10.1159/000510874.
8
Costache RC, Novac B, Bardan TR, Agapie DN, Edu A. Xyloglucan + Gelose Combination versus Placebo as Adjuvant Therapy to First-Line Antimicrobials for Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection in Adults. Urol Int. 2019;102(4):468-475. doi: 10.1159/000497106.
9
Tauzin AS, Kwiatkowski KJ, Orlovsky NI, Smith CJ, Creagh AL, Haynes CA, Wawrzak Z, Brumer H, Koropatkin NM. Molecular Dissection of Xyloglucan Recognition in a Prominent Human Gut Symbiont. mBio. 2016 Apr 26;7(2):e02134-15. doi: 10.1128/mBio.02134-15.
10
Horvath TD, Ihekweazu FD, Haidacher SJ, Ruan W, Engevik KA, Fultz R, Hoch KM, Luna RA, Oezguen N, Spinler JK, Haag AM, Versalovic J, Engevik MA. Bacteroides ovatus colonization influences the abundance of intestinal short chain fatty acids and neurotransmitters. iScience. 2022 Mar 25;25(5):104158. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104158.
11
Ihekweazu FD, Fofanova TY, Queliza K, Nagy-Szakal D, Stewart CJ, Engevik MA, Hulten KG, Tatevian N, Graham DY, Versalovic J, Petrosino JF, Kellermayer R. Bacteroides ovatus ATCC 8483 monotherapy is superior to traditional fecal transplant and multi-strain bacteriotherapy in a murine colitis model. Gut Microbes. 2019;10(4):504-520. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2018.1560753.
12
Grondin JM, Déjean G, Van Petegem F, Brumer H. Cell Surface Xyloglucan Recognition and Hydrolysis by the Human Gut Commensal Bacteroides uniformis. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2022 Jan 11;88(1):e0156621. doi: 10.1128/AEM.01566-21.
13
Venditto I, Luis AS, Rydahl M, Schückel J, Fernandes VO, Vidal-Melgosa S, Bule P, Goyal A, Pires VM, Dourado CG, Ferreira LM, Coutinho PM, Henrissat B, Knox JP, Baslé A, Najmudin S, Gilbert HJ, Willats WG, Fontes CM. Complexity of the Ruminococcus flavefaciens cellulosome reflects an expansion in glycan recognition. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2016 Jun 28;113(26):7136-41. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1601558113.
14
Steck J, Kaufhold L, Bunzel M. Structural Profiling of Xyloglucans from Food Plants by High-Performance Anion-Exchange Chromatography with Parallel Pulsed Amperometric and Mass Spectrometric Detection. J Agric Food Chem. 2021 Aug 11;69(31):8838-8849. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.1c02967.