Oligofructose and mineral absorption in animal trials
What it found
In animal trials, inulin-type fructans including oligofructose increased the absorption of calcium, magnesium and some trace elements.
The effect was stronger when the animals needed more calcium, such as during rapid growth.
What they found
Animal and lab studies
More minerals absorbed
In animal trials, inulin-type fructans increased the absorption of calcium, magnesium and in some cases phosphorus. They also increased absorption of trace elements, mainly copper, iron and zinc.
Bigger effect when needed
The boost to absorption was larger when the animals needed more calcium. This happened in rapidly growing animals and in animals with poor calcium absorption after ovary removal or stomach surgery.
Bone mineral buildup
Even a small increase in calcium absorption led to more mineral building up in the skeleton. The effect lasted over months.
With probiotics or antibiotics
Inulin-type fructans increased mineral absorption and bone mineral buildup when given with probiotic lactobacilli. They also did so when antibiotics were present.
Comparing fructan types
Direct comparisons showed inulin, or a mix of long-chain inulin and oligofructose, had a stronger effect than oligofructose alone.
How it may work
The authors describe several possible ways inulin-type fructans help. These include acids in the gut making minerals more soluble, a larger absorption surface, more calcium-binding proteins mainly in the large intestine, changes in bone-related signals, less bone breakdown, better use of phytoestrogens, and more calcium taken up by gut cells via beneficial gut bacteria.
What the authors conclude
“The abundance of reports indicate that inulin-type fructans are promising substances that could help to improve the supply with available calcium in human nutrition and by this contribute to bone health.”
Also in their conclusions
- They say the many reports show that inulin-type fructans are promising substances.
- They suggest these substances could help improve the supply of available calcium in human nutrition and by this contribute to bone health.
How it was done
The authors wanted to review the evidence from animal trials on whether nondigestible oligosaccharides affect mineral absorption. They note that inulin-type fructans are the best investigated food ingredients in this respect.
They reviewed animal trials on inulin-type fructans, including oligofructose and fructooligosaccharides, and their effects on mineral absorption and bone. The trials looked at calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, iron and zinc.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- These are animal trials. They can't show what happens in people.
- The trials used different animals and conditions, so the size of any effect in people is not known.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Institute of Physiology and Biochemistry of Nutrition, Germany
The paper
- Title
- Inulin and oligofructose and mineral metabolism: the evidence from animal trials
- Type
- ReviewThe authors read earlier studies and describe what they found. It isn’t a new study.
- Evidence
- Animals and lab studies
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Scholz-Ahrens KE, Schrezenmeir J (2007). Inulin and oligofructose and mineral metabolism: the evidence from animal trials. The Journal of nutrition. doi:10.1093/jn/137.11.2513SPubMed 17951495DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error