Multifunctional Benefits of Prevalent HMOs: Implications for Infant Health
David R. Hill, JoMay Chow, Rachael H. Buck
Nutrients
Abstract
Breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition during infancy and is associated with a broad range of health benefits. However, there remains a significant and persistent need for innovations in infant formula that will allow infants to access a wider spectrum of benefits available to breastfed infants. The addition of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) to infant formulas represents the most significant innovation in infant nutrition in recent years. Although not a direct source of calories in milk, HMOs serve as potent prebiotics, versatile anti-infective agents, and key support for neurocognitive development. Continuing improvements in food science will facilitate production of a wide range of HMO structures in the years to come. In this review, we evaluate the relationship between HMO structure and functional benefits. We propose that infant formula fortification strategies should aim to recapitulate a broad range of benefits to support digestive health, immunity, and cognitive development associated with HMOs in breastmilk. We conclude that acetylated, fucosylated, and sialylated HMOs likely confer important health benefits through multiple complementary mechanisms of action.
Extracted Claims
2 claims extracted from this paper into the knowledge graph
Acetylated, fucosylated, and sialylated HMOs likely confer important health benefits through multiple complementary mechanisms of action
“We conclude that acetylated, fucosylated, and sialylated HMOs likely confer important health benefits through multiple complementary mechanisms of action.”
Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) serve as potent prebiotics, versatile anti-infective agents, and key support for neurocognitive development
“Although not a direct source of calories in milk, HMOs serve as potent prebiotics, versatile anti-infective agents, and key support for neurocognitive development.”