Zhen Hongmin, Qian Hanwei, Liu Xiaoyan, Tan Chen
Key Laboratory of Geriatric Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education, China-Canada Joint Lab of Food Nutrition and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University (BTBU), Beijing 100048, China.
China Food Flavor and Nutrition Health Innovation Center, School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China.
Foods. 2024 Dec 11;13(24):3993. doi: 10.3390/foods13243993.
Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are prebiotics with great potential to improve constipation. This study set out to investigate the usefulness of consuming FOS as a dietary supplement on bowel movement frequency, stool consistency, abundance of Bifidobacteria, gastrointestinal transit time, and gastrointestinal symptoms through a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases up to 2 March 2024. Randomized controlled trials reporting the use of FOS as a supplement by participants were included. Bias risk was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias assessment tool. Results were synthesized using a random-effects model or fixed-effects model, combining outcomes using odds ratios (OR), weighted mean differences (MD), or standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The meta-analysis encompassed 17 randomized controlled trials, involving a total of 713 study participants. Overall, the intake of FOS significantly increased bowel movement frequency (95% CI: 0.80, 1.50, < 0.00001) and positively affected stool consistency, softening the stool (SMD: 0.36, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.60, = 0.76). It also reduced the effort and pain during defecation (SMD: -0.60, 95% CI: -0.85, -0.34, = 0.12). At the same time, mild bloating was noted as an adverse event associated with FOS ingestion (OR: 10.36, 95% CI: 3.32, 33.23, = 0.24). No reports of serious adverse events were documented. Overall, FOS may enhance bowel movement frequency, stool consistency, and overall constipation symptoms, suggesting cautious optimism regarding their use as a dietary treatment alternative. Nevertheless, further robust and definitive randomized controlled trials are required to more accurately determine the most effective dosage and duration of use. Additional research and evidence are necessary before the efficacy of FOS as a therapeutic method for treating functional constipation can be firmly established.
低聚果糖（FOS）是具有改善便秘巨大潜力的益生元。本研究旨在通过对随机对照试验（RCT）进行系统评价和荟萃分析，探讨将FOS作为膳食补充剂食用对排便频率、粪便稠度、双歧杆菌丰度、胃肠传输时间和胃肠道症状的有效性。我们检索了截至2024年3月2日的Cochrane图书馆、PubMed、EMBASE和Web of Science数据库。纳入了报告参与者使用FOS作为补充剂的随机对照试验。使用Cochrane偏倚风险评估工具评估偏倚风险。结果采用随机效应模型或固定效应模型进行综合，使用比值比（OR）、加权平均差（MD）或标准化平均差（SMD）合并结果，并给出95%置信区间（CI）。荟萃分析纳入了17项随机对照试验，共涉及713名研究参与者。总体而言，摄入FOS显著增加了排便频率（95%CI：0.80，1.50，<0.00001），并对粪便稠度产生了积极影响，使粪便变软（SMD：0.36，95%CI：0.12，0.60，P = 0.76）。它还减轻了排便时的用力和疼痛（SMD：-0.60，95%CI：-0.85，-0.34，P = 0.12）。同时，注意到轻度腹胀是与摄入FOS相关的不良事件（OR：10.36，95%CI：3.32，33.23，P = 0.24）。未记录到严重不良事件的报告。总体而言，FOS可能会提高排便频率、粪便稠度和整体便秘症状，这表明对其作为膳食治疗选择持谨慎乐观态度。然而，需要进一步进行有力和明确的随机对照试验，以更准确地确定最有效的剂量和使用持续时间。在FOS作为治疗功能性便秘的治疗方法的疗效得到确证之前，还需要更多的研究和证据。
