A complex carbohydrate or polysaccharide found in plants and legumes, composed of galactose sugars.
From Greek 'gala' (milk) + the chemical suffix '-an' for polysaccharides. The name derives from 'galactose,' the sugar found in milk, because this carbohydrate is composed of galactose units.
Galactans are the reason beans and legumes are so good for you—they're dietary fiber that feeds beneficial gut bacteria, and your body converts them into short-chain fatty acids that protect your health.
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