DIETARY FRUCTANS

Fructan is a general term used for any carbohydrate in which one or mo re fructosyl-fructose link constitutes the majority of osidic bonds. T his review focuses on the fate of inulin-type fructans (namely native chicory inulin, oligofructose produced by the partial enzymatic hydrol ysis of chicory inulin, and synthetic fructans produced by enzymatic s ynthesis from sucrose) in the gastrointestinal tract, as well as on th eir systemic physiological effects on mineral absorption, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, hormone balance, and nitrogen homeostasis. The scientific evidence for the functional claims of inulin-type fructans is discussed, as well as their potential application in risk reduction of disease, namely constipation, infectious diarrhea, cancer, osteopo rosis, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, obesity, and non-insuli n dependent diabetes.