Fructofibres® (Fructo-oligosaccharides)
the daily tonic
As one of the world’s biggest sweetener manufacturers, Hermes Sweeteners concentrates exclusively on tabletop sweeteners. Their high quality products are available in tablet, granulated or even liquid form. Hermes has been selling sweeteners for nearly a century and today, their products are on sale in more than 100 countries world-wide. The Hermes Research Department works continuously to improve the quality of the ingredients and blends used and also in developing new and innovative products. In this way, Hermes Sweeteners makes a welcome contribution to a healthy diet and personal wellbeing.
The facts properties of Fructo-oligosaccharides
The purely vegetable Fructo-oligosaccharides or Fructofibres® consist of inulin and oligofructose, which are inert polysaccharides that readily pass through the intestine, unabsorbed. Certain vegetables have a particularly high inulin content, like artichokes, asparagus, salsify, leeks or garlic and onions, for example. Inulin and other fructanes also occur in large quantities in chicory, from which Fructofibres® are obtained. The inulin is extracted from the root with hot water and is 100% vegetable and natural. Oligofructose is then obtained from the inulin, which goes through a partial enzymatic hydrolysis process.
The benefits of Fructo-oligosaccharides
Sugar and carbohydrates are absorbed in the intestine in the form of monosaccharides. Inulin and oligofructose, on the other hand, cannot be split by the enzymes of the upper digestive tract and pass through the intestine without being digested or absorbed. They therefore have no significant calorie value (1–2 kcal/g). Components of food that cannot be broken down by digestive enzymes pass through the small intestine, intact, increasing bulk or faecal mass. They may then undergo fermentation by the intestinal flora in the large intestine.
Fructo-oligosaccharides alter the intestinal microflora balance in a positive way. They support the growth of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilous and Bifidobacterium bifidum and inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria. These effects promote a healthy digestive tract and increased resistance to infection.
All the dietary fibres (except lignin) consist of linear or branched chains of varying lengths of different carbohydrate units.
Inulin and oligofructose are fructanes - a mixture of fructose chains of different lengths with terminal glucose molecules that are interlinked in such a way that they cannot be split by the digestive enzymes. They consist of linear molecule chains linked via B-(2-1) bonds. Oligofructose consists of 2-7 fructose units, inulin, 3–60 fructose units.
The positive effects of Inulin and Oligofructose on the organism
- Reduced constipation
- Growth of beneficial intestinal flora
- Increased stool weightIncreased stool frequency
- Reduced pH value in the stool
- Lower glycaemic reaction
- Reduced serum lipids
- Reduced blood cholesterol
- Improved HDL/LDL ratio
Effect of inulin on the intestinal flora1
5 g of inulin a day instead of saccharose ("inulin diet”) over a 15 day period considerably influences the composition of the intestinal micro-flora. As a prebiotic, the Fructofibres® stimulate the proliferation of the health-promoting bifidobacteria in the gastro-intestinal tract and encourage their metabolic selectivity. Investigations have shown that even small amounts of inulin help to increase the beneficial bifidus bacteria 5 to 10 times. At the same time, less desirable bacteria (clostridiene, fusobacteria and bacteroids) are significantly reduced (Source: Gibson GR & Roberfroid MB)
Prebiotic bifidus stimulants
Inulin and Fructo-Oligosaccharides (FOS) are the preferred substrate of
the beneficial bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, encourage their growth and
have a positive effect on the intestinal flora and on health. This is why
they are called prebiotics. The prebiotic substances, inulin and fructo-oligosaccharide
(FOS) have been natural constituents of human food for a long time. Estimates
indicate that Europeans consume approximately 4g of inulin and FOS a day
as part of their normal diet. Several theories about the extent to which
fibre-rich food helps to prevent bowel cancer and other chronic diseases
are the subject of an ongoing debate. Dietary fibres bind various harmful
substances, like biogenic amines, and render them ineffective. Thanks to
the accelerated transit through the large intestine, carcinogenic substances
spend less time in contact with the intestinal mucous membrane.
Before |
After |
||||
| 1 | Bifidobacteria | 20% |
71% |
||
| 2 | Bacteroids | 65% |
26% |
||
| 3 | Fusobacteria | 12% |
3% |
||
| 4 | Clostridiene | 3% |
0.3% |
||
 |
|||||
| Before taking inulin | After taking inulin | ||||
Food as a form of prevention
Health is closely linked to the food we eat. Health care professionals and health organisations have always promoted the benefits of a balanced diet. The general public may try to maintain a healthy diet but the pressures of every day life often make this objective a challenge. So the food industry is always trying to develop products to make improvements that are both convenient for the consumer and at the same time beneficial to health.
Dietitians recommend a diet that is rich in fibre to promote healthy gut functioning.
Dietary fibre is a general term that covers a wide variety of substances that belong to the family of carbohydrates that resist digestion by intestinal enzymes.
The main physiological effects of dietary fibre are:
On gastric emptying and intestinal transit time – resulting in improved
glucose tolerance and a decreased digestion of starch.
On fermentation in the large bowel promoting an increase in faecal mass.
Hermes Sweeteners now presents a product that not only solves the problem of too much sugar in food but can also make an additional contribution to healthy gut function.
Fructofibres® – the daily tonic
As little as 4g of Fructofibres® a day can have a positive effect on increasing the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut. It is also necessary to promote a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables to ensure an adequate intake of fibre
and other essential nutrients. As a food supplement, Fructofibres® can help supplement deficiencies in case of poor eating habits.
Hermesetas Granulated with 40% Fructofibres®
Most granulated sweeteners contain Maltodextrin, a derivative of starch as a bulking agent.Hermes Sweeteners have now replaced 40% of maltodextrin by Fructofibres®.
Hermesetas Granulated Sweetener with Fructofibres® is a high quality, easily soluble tabletop sweetener. It is heat resistant and is therefore also suitable for use in cooking and baking. The prebiotic Fructofibres®, inulin and oligofructose, also help to aid digestion and stimulate the proliferation of the bifidobacteria in the intestine. Hermesetas Granulated with bifidogenic Fructofibres® is just as sweet as sugar but only contains 10% of the calories. Enriched with Fructofibres®, it means that sweet food can be enjoyed and make a positive contribution to healthy gut functioning.
If you would like more information about the Hermesetas product range, publications about sweeteners (including subjects like weight control, dental care, diabetes and sweeteners in general) or a selection of our low-calorie recipes, please contact the Hermesetas Consumer Service. We can also supply you with a quantity of our consumer leaflets for your patients. Please contact:
UK and Ireland
Hermesetas Consumer Service
37 Duke Street
London W1U 1LN
Tel: 020 7299 2980
email: info@hermesetas.co.uk
