What is oligofructose? Oligofructose and diabetes mellitus

Oligofructose belongs to the group of fructans of plant origin which are a group of plant-soluble compounds. They are not broken down by human digestive enzymes, but are fermented by human microbial enzymes and by levanic acid. This means that they increase the availability of nutrients, as well as the quality of the active ingredients of the fruit or vegetable bacteria in the human body. They also increase the dissemination of the nutrients produced in the body.

Studies indicate that oligofructose and inulin can have a beneficial effect on the carbohydrate economy. Regular intake reduces fasting glucose levels, regardless of the metabolic state of the body and the type of diet used. Beneficial effects are particularly evident in the case of obesity and type 2 diabetes. They also normalize insulin and glucose after meals. Most studies are carried out in animals, so it is difficult to determine a specific dose of the inulin group fructans that will have beneficial effects on human health.

Oligofructose alone is hard to get in both the home and online stores. It can be found in the form of oligofruktose syrup, which is even 50% less sweet than regular sugar. The most famous is Yacon syrup obtained from plants from South America. Its price is about 100 PLN per 250 ml. Oligofruktoze can also be obtained in the shape of prebiotic or synbiotic preparations (prebiotics and probiotic bacteria) in a pharmacy that is used for antibiotic treatment.