Prebiotics Shown to Have Major Benefits in Those With Sleep Deprivation

July 31, 2023

There’s good news for those dealing with sleep deprivation, even just from time to time. Researchers in Taiwan, from National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, have used experiments on mice to demonstrate that use of prebiotics for digestive health has a range of beneficial effects for sleep-deprived mice. Keep in mind that this research does indicate that humans may experience similar benefits from prebiotic use. Also, the prebiotics they used in this study, galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), are conveniently available for purchase.

Improved Energy and Mood from Prebiotics

The researchers found that when mice were sleep-deprived, “Prebiotics brought significant benefits on blood sugar homeostasis and improvement of exercise performance.” They also discovered that depression and anxiety were decreased in the sleep-deprived mice. Many people are familiar with the tired, sluggish, and bad mood issues that sleep deprivation brings. A daily regiment of prebiotics could help people significantly with such issues. It’s simply a part of life; we may end up missing some sleep on any particular night. GOS and FOS could decrease the negative effects of that sleep deprivation.

Specifically, the study’s authors have two main conclusions: “Prebiotics improve physiological homeostasis and neuropsychological functions in Sleep Deprivation. Prebiotics may reduce Sleep Deprivation in shift workers and athletes with sleep loss.”

These Prebiotics (GOS and FOS) are Cheaply Available

So, where can you get the prebiotics they used in this study? First, know that “GOS” and “FOS” are commonly used to refer to these prebiotics. They are available in a wide range of prebiotic supplements. A quick search on Amazon found that a one-month supply of GOS was about $34, and a much larger supply (four ounces) of FOS can be bought for $12. So, the prebiotics shown to have such beneficial effects on mice are cheaply available for the interested biohacker.