ANSWER
Oligofructose is a type of dietary non-digestible fibres, which is able to reach the colon virtually intact where they undergo bacterial fermentation due to their fair resistance to human alimentary enzymes in the stomach and small intestine (Roberfroid, et al., 2010; Kelly, 2008). With their bifidogenic stimulation in the colon which gives complete bacterial fermentation, oligofructose improves laxative effect and intestinal functions such as stool bulking, regularity and consistency of depositions (Sabater-Molina, et al., 2009). The generation of fermentation end products can directly influence intestinal motility by stimulating peristaltic reflexes for improved bowel movement (Grider & Piland, 2007).
Moreover, improved intestinal motility are accompanied with increase in microbial mass and osmotic pressure in the colon, shortened transit time and time available for water absorption in the colon (Gropper & Smith, 2012; Meyer & Stasse-Woltuis, 2009). The net effect of these changes is increased frequency of defecation and stool weight (Gropper & Smith, 2012; Meyer & Stasse-Woltuis, 2009) and thus relieved from constipation symptoms such as infrequent depositions, possibly painful, and large and hard stools with or without faecal incontinence (Closa-Monasterolo, et al., 2017).
| No | Clinical Evidence | Source |
| 1 | Daily supplementation of prebiotic Orafti® inulin-type fructans supplementation improves stool consistency in constipated 2-5-year old children. | (Closa-Monasterolo, et al., 2017) |
| 2 | Infant formula with 3.0 g/L OF promoted bifidobacteria growth and softer stools without adversely affecting stool frequency or hydration. | (Wernimont, et al., 2015) |
| 3 | Oligofructose, provided in the form of yogurt and snack bars at 16 g/d, has the positive impact on bowel habit in terms of improved regularity in young healthy adults, with improved population fibre intakes. | (Dahl, et al., 2014) |
| 4 | Oligofructose exerts comparable beneficial effects on stool characteristics with increased stool moisture content indicative of increased colonic fermentation; and it does not cause any adverse effects at doses up to 30 g/d in healthy adults. | (Francois, et al., 2014) |
| 5 | Inulin-type fructans such as oligofructose are useful prebiotics in prediatric applications with significant effects on flora composition and therefore improve stool consistency and frequency. | (Veereman, 2007) |
References
Closa-Monasterolo, R., Ferre, N., et al., (2017). The Use of Inulin-Type Fructans Improves Stool Consistency in Constipated Children. A Randomised Clinical Trial: Pilot Study. International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition, 68(5), 587-594.
Dahl, W., Wright, A., Specht, G., Christman, M., Mathews, A., & Meyer, D. et al. (2014). Consuming foods with added oligofructose improves stool frequency: a randomised trial in healthy young adults. Journal Of Nutritional Science, 3(e7), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1017/jns.2014.6
Francois, I.E.J.A., Lescroart, O. et al., (2014). Tolerance and the Effect of High Doses of Wheat Bran Extract, Containing Arabinoxylan–Oligosaccharides, and Oligofructose on Faecal Output: A Double-Blind, Randomised, Placebo-Controlled, Cross-Over Trial. Journal of Nutritional Science, 3(e49), 1-12.
Grider, J.R. & Piland, B.E. (2007). The Peristaltic Reflex Induced by Short-Chain Fatty Acids is Mediated by Sequential Release of 5-HT and Neuronal CGRP but Not BDNF. American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, 292(1), G429-G437.
Gropper, S.S. & Smith, J.L. (2012). Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism (p. 135). Belmont, California: Cengage Learning.
Kelly, G. (2008). Inulin-Type Prebiotics – A Review: Part 1. Alternative Medicine Review, 13(4), 315-329.
Meyer, D. & Stasse-Woltuis, M. (2009). The Bifidogenic Efect of Inulin and Oligofructose and Its Consequences for Gut Health. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 63(11), 1277-1289. https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2009.64
Roberfroid, M., Gibson, G., Hoyles, L., McCartney, A., Rastall, R., & Rowland, I. et al. (2010). Prebiotic effects: metabolic and health benefits. British Journal Of Nutrition, 104(S2), S1-S63. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0007114510003363
Sabater-Molina, M., Larqué, E., et al., (2009). Dietary Fructooligosaccharides and Potential Benefits on Health. Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry, 65(3), 315-328. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03180584
Veereman, G. (2007). Pediatric Applications of Inulin and Oligofructose. The Journal of Nutrition, 137(11), 2585S-2589S.
Wernimont, S., Northington, R., et al., (2015). Effect of an α-Lactalbumin-Enriched Infant Formula Supplemented With Oligofructose on Fecal Microbiota, Stool Characteristics, and Hydration Status: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial. Clinical Pediatrics, 54(4), 359-370.
