Prebiotics, including fermentable and nondigestible carbohydrates like fructans and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), are believed to positively influence weight regulation by improving gut health. However, their role in preventing overweight or obesity has been underexplored in longitudinal studies. This study investigated the association between prebiotic intake and overweight incidence in a cohort of middle-aged Spanish university graduates.
Key Points:
- Participants with the highest fructan intake (≥2.3 g/day) had a 15% lower risk of overweight (95% CI: 0.74–0.97; P-trend = 0.019).
- Those with the highest galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) intake (≥0.45 g/day) had a 17% reduced risk of overweight (95% CI: 0.74–0.94; P-trend = 0.001).
Higher consumption of prebiotics was associated with a reduced risk of overweight in initially normal-weight adults. These findings suggest a protective role of prebiotics, although further research is needed to confirm these results.
