Oligofructose as a sweetener?
Fructo Oligo Saccharide (FOS) is a molecule that consists of many fructose-molecules which forms a chain. Humans lack the enzyme to break down this carbohydrate, but our gut micro biota are able to break it down and eat it. In that way FOS will act like a fibre, being food for our micro biota.
FOS is naturally occurring in many fruits and vegetables but when it is used in foods it is of course processed.
Some studies are made on FOS and its impact on human health and results seems very promising.
There are few people that eat as much fibre as recommended, and fibre might be one of the most important nutrient since it has a huge impact on our micro biota.
So, could FOS be an effective way of sweeten foods AND to raise the fibre intake of the population? I like to think so.
Today FOS are used to sweeten certain muesli's, granola and other type of foods. It is not found in the cheaper brands so you have to look for a brand that promote itself as healthy. FOS tastes good and sweet.
I hope to see FOS used as a sweetener in more foods in the future, and I think its market will continue to grow.
Is FOS for everyone? No, people with IBS or other problems with GI might get worse when eating FOS, since it is a fibre. It can also promote flatulence resulting in swollen stomachs. For healthy people that are not used to eat fibre this usually cease to be a problem after eating a high fibre diet for some time.
Here is a very well done, randomized, triple blinded, controlled clinical trial: