Abstract
To identify the current status of scientific knowledge in fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), non-conventional sugars that play an important role in glycemia control. We performed a search for scientific articles in MEDLINE and LILACS databases, from January 1962 to December 2011, using English/Portuguese key words: "blood glucose/glicemia", "prebiotics/prebióticos" and "dietary fiber/fibras na dieta". From an initial number of 434 references, some repeated, 43 references published from 1962 to 2011 were included in this study. The selected texts were distributed in three topics: (1) metabolism of FOS, (2) FOS and experimental studies involving glucose and (3) human studies involving glucose and FOS. Five studies have shown that the use of FOS reduces the fecal content and increases intestinal transit time. Experimental studies have shown that dietary supplementation with high doses (60 g/Kg) of propionate, a short-chain fatty acid decreased glycemia. The use of lower doses (3 g/kg) did not produce the same results. Study in subjects with diabetes type II showed that the addition of 8 grams of FOS in the diet for 14 days, caused a reduction in serum glucose. In another study with healthy subjects, there were no changes in glycemic control. This review demonstrates that consumption of FOS has a beneficial influence on glucose metabolism. The controversies appear to be due to inadequate methodological designs and/or the small number of individuals included in some studies.
Highlights
Different from the majority of simple sugars and oligosaccharides, fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS), a naturally occurring oligosaccharide, passes intact through the upper digestive tract without being digested but is degraded in the colon by indigenous bacteria[1]
Its potentially beneficial effects in preventing and controlling some diseases have been extensively discussed, in those conditions associated with the increase of peripheral insulin resistance, eg, diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome.Recent studies suggest that butyrate and other short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) may mediate the effects of diet and gut microbiota on host appetite, metabolism, adiposity, and immunity[8,9,10,11]
Metabolism of FOS FOS are not hydrolyzed by endogenous enzymes in the small intestine of humans and following ingestion reach the cecum and colon in intact form, where they are metabolized completely by the colonic microflora, through fermentation, producing gases and reducing the colon pH by lactate and SCFA production, such as acetate, propionate and butyrate, which are quickly absorbed by the colonic mucosa[13,14,15,16,17]
Summary
Different from the majority of simple sugars and oligosaccharides, fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS), a naturally occurring oligosaccharide, passes intact through the upper digestive tract without being digested but is degraded in the colon by indigenous bacteria[1]. FOS are mainly known for its ability to improve host health as it stimulates the growth of some beneficial bacteria, such as the bifidobacteria.FOS may be found in many plant foods such as bananas, onions, garlic, asparagus, wheat, rye, Jerusalem artichoke. It may be produced enzymatically[6]. It is possible to find industrial products containing FOS, alone or with other ingredients in Brazil. Recent use of FOS as a food ingredient has stimulated much research to know its functionality and its effects on human health, especially in relation to its bifidogenic character[7]. Its potentially beneficial effects in preventing and controlling some diseases have been extensively discussed, in those conditions associated with the increase of peripheral insulin resistance, eg, diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome.Recent studies suggest that butyrate and other short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) may mediate the effects of diet and gut microbiota on host appetite, metabolism, adiposity, and immunity[8,9,10,11]
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