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Oligofructose promotes satiety in healthy human: a pilot study

Abstract

Objective:

The administration of a fermentable dietary fibre (oligofructose) in rats increases satietogenic gut peptides and lowered spontaneous energy intake. The aim of the study was to assess the relevance of those effects of oligofructose on satiety and energy intake in humans.

Design:

Single-blinded, crossover, placebo-controlled design, pilot study.

Subjects:

Volunteers included five men and five women aged 21–39 years, BMI ranging from 18.5 to 27.4 kg/m2, were randomly assigned as described below.

Interventions:

Subjects were included in two 2-week experimental phases during which they received either fibre (oligofructose (OFS)) or placebo (dextrine maltose (DM)); a 2-week washout period was included between crossover phases. In total, 8 g OFS or 8 g DM were ingested twice daily (16 g/day in total). Energy intake, hunger, satiety, fullness and prospective food consumption were assessed with analogue scales at the end of each experimental phase.

Results:

During breakfast, OFS significantly increases the satiety (P=0.04) without any difference on other sensations as compared to DM treatment periods. After lunch, no significant differences are observed between treatment period. At dinner, OFS significantly increases satiety (P=0.04), reduces hunger (P=0.04) and prospective food consumption (P=0.05). The energy intake at breakfast and lunch are significantly lower (P=0.01, 0.03, respectively) after OFS treatment than after DM treatment. Total energy intake per day is 5% lower during OFS than in DM period.

Conclusion:

Oligofructose treatment increases satiety following breakfast and dinner, reduces hunger and prospective food consumption following dinner. This pilot study presents a rationale to propose oligofructose supplements in the management of food intake in overweight and obese patients.

Sponsorship:

This project is supported by an FSR grant from the Université catholique de Louvain.

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Acknowledgements

We thank all the subjects who participated in this study, as well as the Paul Lambin Institute, Haute Ecole Leonard de Vinci (dietetic section) for their help in elaborating the test meals. This work was supported by an FSR grant from the Université catholique de Louvain. PDC is teaching assistant, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.

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Correspondence to N M Delzenne.

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Guarantors: NM Delzenne and PD Cani.

Contributors: PDC performed the experiments, did the statistical analysis and drafted the manuscript. EJ carried out the experiments. YH took part in the coordination of the study. NMD coordinated the study. All authors contributors helped with the revision of the paper.

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Cani, P., Joly, E., Horsmans, Y. et al. Oligofructose promotes satiety in healthy human: a pilot study. Eur J Clin Nutr 60, 567–572 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602350

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