Background:

Short-chain inulin-type fructans (ITF) are named fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and considered prebiotics to benefit the health of the host.

Objective:

To analyze three of the most important health benefits of inulin-type fructans as prebiotics.

Methodology:

Documents published in different databases (PubMed, Medline, NCBI) in English were reviewed. Those which provided data on the influence of prebiotics on the gut microbiota, obesity and satiety were chosen. The documentary analysis method was used to evaluate the results of different clinical trials.

Results:

A total of 70 articles were reviewed, of which 49 were selected and contained controlled clinical trials and evidence of the beneficial health effects of inulin-type fructans.

Conclusions:

Inulin-type fructans in general, and fructooligosaccharides (FOS) in particular, when fermented in the gastrointestinal tract produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFA); these fermentation products favor the development of beneficial microorganisms to the detriment of other harmful ones. Similarly, short chain fatty acids can regulate lipid metabolism and satiety.

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