Supplement · Gut & digestive health

Prebiotic fibre (inulin & FOS)

Also known as: Inulin, FOS, Fructooligosaccharides

Soluble fibres that feed gut bacteria, with real but individual digestive effects.

Evidence
Silver· human data
Sources cited
1
Last reviewed
22 July 2026

Inulin and fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are soluble prebiotic fibres that pass to the colon and feed beneficial bacteria, which ferment them into short-chain fatty acids.

There is reasonable evidence they can shift the gut microbiome and modestly support regularity and mineral absorption, with weaker signals for metabolic markers. The trade-off is very individual: in sensitive people (and those with IBS) they readily cause gas and bloating, so start low.

Sources