May Help Support Healthy Blood Sugar and Gut Function (Prebiotic)*
What Are the Benefits of FOS?
Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are oligosaccharides that occur naturally in plants. They are composed of linear chains of fructose units, linked by beta (2-1) bonds. The number of fructose units ranges from 2 to 60 and often terminate in a glucose unit. Dietary FOS are not hydrolyzed by small intestinal glycosidases and reach the cecum structurally unchanged. There, they are metabolized by the intestinal microflora to form short-chain carboxylic acids, L -lactate, CO(2), hydrogen and other metabolites.
FOS have a number of interesting properties, including a low sweetness intensity; they are also calorie free, non-cariogenic and are considered as soluble dietary fibre. Furthermore, FOS have important beneficial physiological effects such as low carcinogenicity, a prebiotic effect, improved mineral absorption and decreased levels of serum cholesterol, triacylglycerols and phospholipids.
Complex FOS are considered prebiotics. Not to be confused with probiotics, a prebiotic helps feed the good bacteria in the intestine.
Source of Soluble Fiber
Soluble fiber helps to absorb water in the intestines and give the fecal matter a consistent shape. Increasing the levels of soluble fiber in the diet from FOS has been shown to reduce or eliminate digestive issues, such as constipation or diarrhea. This regulatory effect may also be caused in part by FOS feeding the good bacteria in the colon.
Lowers Cholesterol
A recent review in Acta Cirurgica Brasileira found that FOS can reduce cholesterol levels in animal studies. Introducing FOS into a calorie-restricted diet also helped these animals to reduce weight gain.
The researchers noted the likelihood that FOS supplementation is good for lowering cholesterol in humans, as well.
Reduces Blood Sugar
A review in the journal Nutrients noted the potential ability of FOS to help balance a person’s blood sugar. The researchers observed a positive correlation between FOS intake and decreasing serum glucose levels.
What Foods Provide Vitamin A?
- Onion
- Chicory Root
- Garlic
- Asparagus
- Banana
- Jerusalem Artichoke
