FOS decreases the release of hunger hormone inoverweight and obese people

Ghrelin is the hunger hormone secreted by cells in the stomach that stimulates your appetite and makes you eat. In this study, researchers from the University of Calgary state that FOS promotes weight loss, reduces eating, and improves satiety in animals. It also improves their cholesterol.

Forty-eight overweight to obese people who were otherwise healthy were placed on 21g FOS a day or inactive placebo in a double-blinded, randomized study for a 12 week period. The placebo group gained an additional pound over the course of the study but those on FOS actually lost 2.27 pounds; over a 3 pound difference. The use of FOS improved satiety, decreased blood sugar and improved insulin levels. FOS increased the blood level of peptide YY; a protein released in the intestines that reduces hunger after eating making you feel satisfied. FOS also reduced the level of ghrelin reducing hunger. The study is published in the June 2009 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.