FOS Improves Sugar Metabolism

Fructooligosaccharide (FOS), also known as saccharotriose oligosaccharides, is an oligosaccharide formed by combining the fructose residue of sucrose molecule with 1 to 3 fructose. FOS is a food additive with probiotic effect, which can promote intestinal health, enhance immunity, regulate blood sugar and blood lipids, and promote calcium absorption.

Promoting gut health.

FOS can promote intestinal health by increasing the number and activity of probiotics in the intestine, improving the balance of intestinal flora, and reducing the growth of harmful bacteria. Studies have shown that galacto-oligosaccharides, fructo-oligosaccharides, xylo-oligosaccharides, isomalto-oligosaccharides and lactulose can change the flora, increase the levels of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, and sometimes cause a decrease in the number of Clostridium and Bacteroides. Some scholars used a multi-stage fermentation tank that simulated the intestinal environment of different parts of the large intestine, such as the ascending colon and transverse colon, and inoculated feces for anaerobic continuous culture to observe the impact of fructooligosaccharides on the intestinal flora. The results showed that fructooligosaccharides can promote the growth of all intestinal bacteria to varying degrees, but only bifidobacteria grows the fastest, and spoilage bacteria such as Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis and Bacteroides are far less good than when glucose is used as a carbon source.

Human experiments also show that various indigestible oligosaccharides can promote the proliferation of bifidobacteria in human large intestine. For example, after eating fructooligosaccharides, the bifidobacteria in the stool increased by 10 times compared with before the test, and the detection rate of bifidobacteria in the stool increased from 87% to 100%. And the bifidobacteria decreased after stopping eating.

Enhancing immunity.

FOS can promote the development and function of the intestinal immune system, enhance the body's immunity and reduce the risk of infection.

Promoting calcium absorption.

FOS can prevent osteoporosis by increasing the acidic environment in the intestines, promoting the dissolution and absorption of calcium.

Regulating blood sugar and blood lipids.

FOS can promote the metabolic activities of beneficial bacteria in the intestines, increase insulin sensitivity, lower blood sugar and blood lipid levels, and prevent diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

In June 2022, an article was published in the internationally renowned journal "Gut", investigating whether soluble dietary fiber fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) can regulate host body weight and glucose metabolism by changing the composition of intestinal bile acids. The study found that the supplementation of fructooligosaccharides affects the conversion ability of bacteria to bile acids by changing the composition of gut microbiota, and then controls weight gain and improves glucose metabolism by regulating TGR5 receptors. FOS works by maintaining physiological levels of key bacteria that depend on dietary fiber for their abundance in the gut and are required for the production of 6α-hydroxylated bile acids.

FOS is a well-known soluble fiber that is metabolized by gut bacteria and produces short-chain fatty acids. Several studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of fermentable complex carbohydrates such as inulin on body weight and glucose metabolism. As a prebiotic, fructooligosaccharide has been widely used in the food field due to its low calorific value, which can promote the proliferation of bifidobacteria, lower blood sugar, improve serum lipids, and promote the absorption of trace elements and other excellent physiological functions.

Fructose-oligosaccharides usually exist in many daily fruits and vegetables, such as bananas, rye, garlic, wheat, onions, potatoes, yacon, Jerusalem artichoke, honey, etc. It should be noted that although fructooligosaccharide is a probiotic food additive, it also has certain side effects, such as excessive intake may cause diarrhea, flatulence and other discomfort symptoms, so it should be taken in accordance with the instructions and doctor's advice when using it.