Split peas<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nHealth benefits of Fructan<\/strong><\/p>\nLet’s have a look on health benefits offered by Fructan:<\/p>\n
\n- Oral health<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Oligofructose and inulin are not broken by salivary enzymes but could be fermented by oral streptococci. In a response to intake of oligofructose or inulin, fructanases are activated and acid is formed. It is found that Streptococcus mutans ferment oligofructose and forms plaque at comparable rate to that of sucrose which indicated that oligofructose could be cariogenic as sucrose. In many cases, oligofructose or inulin will be found in oral cavity at same time as sucrose or glucose. Investigation shows that inulin by stimulation of oral acidogenic microorganisms could lower oral malodor and conclude that inulin and sucrose have comparable effects in lowering pH of tongue.<\/p>\n
\n- Movement of Bowels<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Uptake of saccharolytic activities of intestinal flora as a response to ingestion of oligofructose or inulin promotes biomass, stool frequency, fecal bulk and results softer stools and is related with anticonstipation effect or acts as mild laxative without affecting transit time. Fermentale fibers effect such as FOS and inulin on fecal bulk is found to be less than fibers having strong water holding capacity which reaches largely intact cecum such as wheat fiber. In controlled studies, anticonstipation effect having low stool frequency was reported. These data clears that dietary fiber features inulin type fructans.<\/p>\n
\n- Intestinal hormones, satiety and manages weight<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Study conducted in rats shows that 10% dietary inulin type fructans having various DPs lowered food intake as well as epididymal fat mass through increase in production of SCFA and stimulated cecal or colonic secretion of satiety hormones glucagon. Inulin supplements enriched with oligofructose on mice fed high fat diet lowered weight gain, total liver fat and body fat contents and these effects are related with increase in fecal Bifidobacteria, SCFA and Lactobacillus. Study conducted on humans showed the effect of oligofructose yielding inconsistent results.<\/p>\n
\n- Regulation of blood lipids and blood glucose<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Experiment conducted on animal shows that inulin and oligofructose lowered blood triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Human studies have shown variable results. It is observed that significant reduction n blood triglyceride levels after ingesting 20 g inulin daily for 3 weeks and also reduction of cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic men. Inulin fructans have lipid lowering effect which is associated to production of SCFA. Inulin and oligofructose are not digested in small intestine and are fermented in large intestine which does not contribute to glycemic response after ingestion.<\/p>\n
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Fructan is a polymer of fructose molecules. It is polysaccharides and oligosaccharides which store carbohydrates in various vegetables such as artichokes, agave, leeks, asparagus, onions, garlic, wheat, jicama and yacon. Unripe bananas have low content of fructans and the ripened ones have high levels of fructan. It is a chain of fructose molecules having glucose molecule at one end. The body requires breaking down chain into single molecules in order to absorb molecules. Humans lack enzymes required to break chain so it moves through small intestine to colon where it is fermented. This process forms gas. This is a big issue for those with sensitive digestive system as it causes big problems. Fructans are two types:<\/p>\n