Effects of functional milk containing galactooligosaccharide, maltitol, and glucomannan on the production of hydrogen gas in the human intestine

Hydrogen gas (H₂) reacts with strong oxidants, and the effectiveness of H₂ inhalation or ingestion of H₂ water has been demonstrated for many diseases. H₂ produced by the intestinal microbiome from indigestible components is the major source of exogenous H₂. In this study, we screened a wide variety of indigestible components that induce H₂ production by the intestinal microbiome, which exhibits large diversity, and developed a beverage composed of cows’ milk with galactooligosaccharide, maltitol, and glucomannan (H₂-producing milk). In clinical trials, the breath H₂ concentration of most volunteers was increased by consumption of H₂-producing milk 1 (each material: 1%) and H₂-producing milk 2 (galactooligosaccharide: 1.5%, maltitol: 1%, and glucomannan: 0.1%). The total range of H₂ production (area under the curve) increased and a higher peak concentration was observed compared with consumption of H₂ water or pure cows’ milk. Thus, this material may be a desirable functional milk.