June 22/Tienen, Belgium/European Congress on Obesity -- Taking a prebiotic-enriched supplement twice daily helps increase satiety and reduce caloric intake in overweight and obese individuals, according to a new study presented at the 18th European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Istanbul.

Researchers at the University of Ulster in Ireland conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover intervention study that included 36 overweight or obese men and women volunteers, each receiving 6g of oligofructose-enriched inulin twice daily at breakfast and lunch as a supplement dissolved in a beverage, or a placebo for three weeks. Energy intake was assessed at the beginning and end of each treatment phase; appetite ratings were evaluated through visual analogue scales (VAS). They found the intake resulted in a significantly lower energy intake in all subjects (-3.6%), and when stratified by gender, this result was even more apparent in women.

Other studies also suggest a beneficial role for the prebiotics inulin and oligofructose related to the management of energy homeostasis in addition to their well known positive effects on the gut microbiota.

 

From the June 27, 2011, Prepared Foods' Daily News.