Fructooligosaccharide
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fructooligosaccharide (FOS) also sometimes called "oligofructose" or "oligofructan", is an oligosaccharide used as an artificial or alternative sweetener. FOS use emerged in the 1980s in response to consumer demand for healthier and calorie-reduced foods. The term oligosaccharide refers to a short chain of sugar molecules (in the case of FOS, fructose molecules). Oligo means few, and saccharide means sugar.
[edit] Food Sources
FOS is extracted from fruits and vegetables like bananas, onions, chicory root, garlic, asparagus, barley, wheat, and tomatoes. The Jerusalem Artichoke has been found to have one of the highest concentrations of FOS.
[edit] Health Benefits
FOS has been a popular dietary supplement in Japan for many years and is now becoming increasingly popular in Western cultures for its prebiotic effects. FOS serves as "fast food" for the probiotic beneficial or "friendly" bacteria that naturally populate the gut, increasing their ability to benefit overall Gastrointestinal Tract (GI Tract) health, especially proper digestion. It has also been touted as a supplement for preventing yeast infections.
Note that this substance promotes/supports the growth of Klebsiella which is a non-friendly bacteria in the gut.
