FRUCTO-OLIGOSACCHARIDES (FOS): Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) are plant sugars that occur in many fruits and vegetables. They can also be made in a lab and are used as prebiotics.

FOS do not get digested until they reach the colon. In the colon, they are digested by good bacteria. This helps the good bacteria to grow, which is why they are used as prebiotics. Prebiotics act as food for probiotics (good bacteria).

People use FOS for constipation, obesity, diabetes, travelers' diarrhea, high cholesterol, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Don't confuse prebiotics with probiotics. These are not the same.

Uses & Effectiveness

We currently have no information for FRUCTO-OLIGOSACCHARIDES (FOS) overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: FOS are possibly safe in doses less than 30 grams daily for up to 4 weeks. They can cause gas, bloating, and stomach pain. These effects are usually mild if the dose is less than 10 grams daily.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if FOS are safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Children: FOS are possibly safe when added to infant formula or cow's milk and given to healthy infants. The doses used in research are 4 grams of FOS per liter of formula, or up to 1 gram of FOS per kilogram of infant body weight.

Interactions

We currently have no information for FRUCTO-OLIGOSACCHARIDES (FOS) overview.

Dosing

FOS has most often been used by adults in doses of 10 grams by mouth daily for up to 4 weeks. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.

View References

REFERENCES:

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Andermann TM, Fouladi F, Tamburini FB, et al. A Fructo-Oligosaccharide Prebiotic Is Well Tolerated in Adults Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Phase I Dose-Escalation Trial. Transplant Cell Ther 2021;27(11):932. View abstract.

Bornet FR. Undigestible sugars in food products. Am J Clin Nutr 1994;59:763S-9S. View abstract.

Bouhnik Y, Ouarne FF, Riottot M et al. Effects of prolonged ingestion of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) on colonic bifidobacteria, fecal enzymes and bile acids in humans. Gastroenterology 1994;106:A598.

Bouhnik Y, Vahedi K, Achour L, et al. Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharide administration dose-dependently increases fecal bifidobacteria in healthy humans. J Nutr 1999;129:113-6. View abstract.

Briet F, et al. Symptomatic response to varying levels of fructo-oligosaccharides consumed occasionally or regularly. Eur J Clin Nutr 1995;49:501-7. View abstract.

Chen HL, Lu YH, Lin JJ, Ko LY. Effects of fructooligosaccharide on bowel function and indicators of nutritional status in constipated elderly men. Nutr Res 2000;20:1725-33.

Cummings JH, Christie S, Cole TJ. A study of fructo oligosaccharides in the prevention of travellers' diarrhoea. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2001;15:1139-45.. View abstract.

Cummings JH, Macfarlane GT, Englyst HN. Prebiotic digestion and fermentation. Am J Clin Nutr 2001;73:415S-420S. View abstract.

Dou Y, Yu X, Luo Y, Chen B, Ma D, Zhu J. Effect of Fructooligosaccharides Supplementation on the Gut Microbiota in Human: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients 2022;14(16):3298. View abstract.

Fanaro S, Boehm G, Garssen J, et al. Galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides as prebiotics in infant formulas: a review. Acta Paediatr Suppl 2005;94(449):22-26. View abstract.

Gibson GR. Dietary modulation of the human gut microflora using prebiotics. Br J Nutr 1998;80:S209-12. View abstract.

Giorgetti A, Husmann FMD, Zeder C, Herter-Aeberli I, Zimmermann MB. Prebiotic Galacto-oligosaccharides and Fructo-oligosaccharides, but not Acacia Gum, Increase Iron Absorption from a Single High-dose Ferrous Fumarate Supplement in Iron-depleted Women. J Nutr 2022;152(4):1015-1021. View abstract.

Hess JR, Birkett AM, Thomas W, Slavin JL. Effects of short-chain fructooligosaccharides on satiety responses in healthy men and women. Appetite 2011;56:128-34. View abstract.

Huet F, Abrahamse-Berkeveld M, Tims S, et al. Partly fermented infant formulae with specific oligosaccharides support adequate infant growth and are well-tolerated. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2016;63(4):e43-53. View abstract.

Jayasimhan S, Yap NY, Roest Y, Rajandram R, Chin KF. Efficacy of microbial cell preparation in improving chronic constipation: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Clin Nutr. 2013;32(6):928-34. View abstract.

Lasekan J, Baggs G, Acosta S, Mackey A. Soy protein-based infant formulas with supplemental fructooligosaccharides: gastrointestinal tolerance and hydration status in newborn infants. Nutrients 2015;7:3022-37. View abstract.

Losada MA, Olleros T. Towards a healthier diet for the colon: the influence of fructooligosaccharides and lactobacilli on intestinal health. Nutr Res 2002;22:71-84.

Menne E, Guggenbuhl N, Roberfroid M. Fn-type chicory inulin hydrolysate has a prebiotic effect in humans. J Nutr 2000;130:1197-9. View abstract.

Mitsouka T, Hidaka H, Eida T. Effect of fructo-oligosaccharides on intestinal microflora. Nahrung 1987;31:427-36. View abstract.

Moura de Araújo MF, Gueiros Gaspar MW, Saraiva Veras V, et al. Consumption of caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee enriched with cocoa and fructo-oligosaccharides among non-diabetic persons: Double blind randomized clinical trial. J Food Biochem 2022;e14081. View abstract.

Paineau D, Respondek F, Menet V, et al. Effects of short-chain fructooligosaccharides on faecal bifidobacteria and specific immune response in formula-fed term infants: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 2014;60:167-75. View abstract.

Pierre F, et al. Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides reduced the occurrence of colon tumors and develop gut-associated lymphoid tissue in Min mice. Cancer Res 1997;57:225-8. View abstract.

Pierre F, Perrin P, Bassonga E, et al. T cell status influences colon tumor occurrence in min mice fed short chain fructo-oligosaccharides as a diet supplement. Carcinogenesis 1999;20:1953-6 . View abstract.

Roberfroid M. Dietary fiber, inulin, and oligofructose: a review comparing their physiological effects. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 1993;33:103-48. View abstract.

Shah P, Wolever TM, Jenkins AL, et al. Acute glycemic and insulin response of Fossence&#8482 alone, or when substituted or added to a carbohydrate challenge: A three-phase, acute, randomized, cross-over, double blind clinical trial. Heliyon 2021;7(4):e06805. View abstract.

Slevin MM, Allsopp PJ, Magee PJ, et al. Supplementation with calcium and short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides affects markers of bone turnover but not bone mineral density in postmenopausal women. J Nutr 2014;144:297-304. View abstract.

Souza DDS, Tahan S, Weber TK, Araujo-Filho HB, de Morais MB. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel clinical trial assessing the effect of fructooligosaccharides in infants with constipation. Nutrients. 2018;10(11). pii: E1602. View abstract.

Stone-Dorshow T, Levitt MD. Gaseous response to ingestion of a poorly absorbed fructo-oligosaccharide sweetener. Am J Clin Nutr 1987;46:61-5. View abstract.

Toporovski MS, de Morais MB, Abuhab A, Crippa Júnior MA. Effect of Polydextrose/Fructooligosaccharide Mixture on Constipation Symptoms in Children Aged 4 to 8 Years. Nutrients 2021;13(5):1634. View abstract.

Veereman-Wauters G. Application of prebiotics in infant foods. Br J Nutr 2005;93 Suppl 1:S57-S60. View abstract.

Velayati A, Kareem I, Sedaghat M, et al. Does symbiotic supplementation which contains Bacillus Coagulans Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus and fructooligosaccharide has favourite effects in patients with type-2 diabetes? A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Arch Physiol Biochem. 2021 Jun 2:1-8. View abstract.

Waitzberg DL, Logullo LC, Bittencourt AF, Torrinhas RS, Shiroma GM, Paulino NP, Teixeira-da-Silva ML. Effect of synbiotic in constipated adult women - a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of clinical response. Clin Nutr. 2013;32(1):27-33. View abstract.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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FRUCTO-OLIGOSACCHARIDES (FOS) - Uses, Side Effects, and More