The present invention refers to a glycerol ester composition comprising glyceryl monovalerate, for use in preventing and/or alleviating bacterial inflammation in a monogastric animal (including human) by inhibiting the adhesion of pathogenic bacteria to the intestinal lumen of said animal. The present invention also refers to a therapeutic method for promoting the renewal and growth of epithelial cells in the small intestine of a monogastric animal (including human), the method comprising the step of distributing a glycerol ester composition comprising glyceryl monovalerate to said animal.