Symptomatic response to varying levels of fructo-oligosaccharides consumed occasionally or regularly

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate in 14 healthy volunteers the gastrointestinal tolerance to an indigestible bulking sweetener containing fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS).

Design: In order to mimic their usual pattern of consumption, FOS were ingested throughout the day either occasionally (once a week, first period) or regularly (every day, second period). In the two patterns of consumption, daily sugar doses were increased until diarrhoea and/or a symptom graded 3 (i.e. severe) occurred, or when subjects did not want to ingest more candies.

Setting: Clinical Nutrition Unit, Hôpital Saint-Lazare, Paris.

Results: In both periods, the first symptom which occurred was excessive flatus (> 30 g FOS/day): borborygmi and bloating appeared at a higher level (> 40 g/day); lastly, abdominal cramps and diarrhoea occurred at a very much higher level (50 g/day). The volumes of hydrogen excreted in breath in response to the same load of FOS were not different between the two periods.

Conclusions: Chronic consumption of FOS initiated cautiously with subsequent gradual increase did not improve tolerance, nor reduce breath excretion of hydrogen.