Definition

A type of carbohydrate made up of a few simple sugars linked together.

Example

Oligosaccharides are found in many plants and can be beneficial for digestion.

Conversation

I read that oligosaccharides can be really beneficial for digestion.

Oh really? I didn't know they were good for that.

Yeah, they help feed the good bacteria in your gut.

That makes sense! I should include more of them in my diet.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Oligosaccharide → It is formed from "oligo-" (from Greek "oligos", meaning few or small) and "saccharum" (from Latin, meaning sugar). The term refers to a carbohydrate that consists of a small number of sugar molecules, specifically a few linked together.

Memory Tip

Think of 'few' ('oligo-') sugars ('saccharum') combined together — that's what an oligosaccharide is.

Visually Confused Words