Research
Mixed
Consumption of non-digestible oligosaccharides (NDO) improves bowel habit by increasing stool frequency and weight, providing relief from constipation.
Include NDO-rich foods (chicory, onions, garlic) in your diet to improve bowel regularity. If you are constipated, NDO can help normalize stool frequency and increase stool bulk by 1.5-2 grams per gram consumed. Start with moderate amounts to avoid initial gas.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
There is consistent evidence of an effect of NDO on bowel habit, which results in a typical faecal bulking effect of 1.5–2 g increase per gram NDO ingested, and in a normalization of stool frequency (aiming at daily defecation).
Why this rating
Consistent evidence from human studies showing increased stool weight and frequency.
Source
Functional food properties of non-digestible oligosaccharides: a consensus report from the ENDO project (DGXII AIRII-CT94-1095)
Jan Van Loo et al. · British Journal Of Nutrition · 1999
DOI 10.1017/s0007114599000252
narrative_reviewCited 494×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- Consumption of non-digestible oligosaccharides (NDO), specifically inulin-type fructans, exerts a prebiotic effect by selectively stimulating the growth and activity of bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria in the human large intestine.Good
- Consumption of inulin-type fructans shows promising evidence for increasing calcium absorption in humans, potentially reducing osteoporosis risk.Moderate
- Consumption of non-digestible oligosaccharides (NDO) may interact with lipid metabolism, potentially lowering serum triacylglycerols and cholesterol in hyperlipidaemic individuals.Limited
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