Assessing B-GOS's Role in Athletic Recovery and Wellness: New Insights from a 12-Week Trial

A 12‑week triple‑blind randomized controlled trial published in Nutrients found no group‑level benefit of daily B‑GOS (3.65 g/day) for general wellbeing or exercise‑induced gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in recreationally trained endurance athletes, though individual responses varied markedly.

Eighteen recreationally active endurance athletes were randomized in a triple‑blind, placebo‑controlled pilot design with repeated measures to bolster internal validity. Participants completed a 20‑minute run at 80% VO2max, then undertook 12 weeks of daily supplementation (B‑GOS 3.65 g/day versus appearance‑matched maltodextrin placebo). Serial assessments included physical activity (IPAQ‑7), general stress (REST‑Q), mental wellbeing (WEMWBS), sleep diaries, and exercise‑provoked GI distress (modified visual analogue scales and CSAI‑2).

At the group level, there were no statistically significant differences in primary endpoints: WEMWBS scores changed minimally (B‑GOS pre = 51 ± 10, post = 53 ± 7; placebo pre = 51 ± 4, post = 54; p = 0.862) and measures of GI discomfort showed no group effect (e.g., GI discomfort p = 0.227). The supplement dose was 3.65 g/day of product (≈2.75 g active GOS) administered as a daily powder, and no adverse events or dropouts were reported during the 12‑week period.

The trial does not support routine prescription of B‑GOS to unselected recreational endurance athletes for improving general wellness or preventing exercise‑induced GI symptoms. Instead, there is a need for larger, adequately powered trials that stratify or enrich for athletes with baseline GI complaints or low wellbeing.