Chicory Compound Aids Weight Management

Chicory root, abundant in the dietary fiber inulin, is also the source of oligofructose, a carbohydrate-based dietary fiber. Oligofructose cannot be broken down by digestion enzymes, and is low in calories, thus it has been used as a fat and sugar substitute in some food products.  Klaas R. Westerterp, from Maastricht University (The Netherlands), and colleagues enrolled healthy volunteers in a 13-day long trial, in which each participant received either a dose of oligofructose (either 5 grams or 8 grams twice daily), or placebo. Subjects’ food intake was measured at the beginning and end of the trial period.  After 13 days, the energy consumption of those taking the higher dose of oligofructose decreased by 10%. As well, higher concentrations of the satiety hormones PYY and GLP-I were measured in the blood, while feelings of hunger and satiety remained the same. The team concludes that: “Oligofructose may be …effective … to reduce energy intake, possibly supported by higher GLP-1 and PYY concentrations.”