Prebiotic fibre (inulin & FOS)

Silver· human data

Also known as: Inulin, FOS, Fructooligosaccharides

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

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

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Written and reviewed by Mathew Beale, MSc Biotechnology, University of Reading.

Last reviewed: