Oligofructose-enriched inulin and appetite after exercise
What it found
In 14 adults, a single 20 g dose of oligofructose-enriched inulin after evening exercise reduced hunger and changed appetite hormones, but did not clearly lower how much people ate the next morning.
It also increased flatulence.
What they found
Studies in people
Hunger ratings
People reported less hunger after the oligofructose-enriched inulin drink compared with the sweetened milk drink. This was measured over about 15 hours after exercise.
Appetite hormones
One hour after the drink, levels of GLP-1 and PYY went up and acyl-ghrelin went down only in the oligofructose-enriched inulin condition. These changes were not seen with sweetened milk alone.
Breakfast intake
The next morning, people ate about 67 kcal less at the buffet breakfast after the oligofructose-enriched inulin drink, but this difference was not statistically significant. Total energy intake over three days was the same in both conditions.
Gut symptoms
Flatulence was higher the morning after exercise with oligofructose-enriched inulin compared with sweetened milk. Abdominal discomfort and rumbling also increased from before exercise to the next morning within the inulin condition.
What the authors conclude
“Our findings suggest that an acute dose of OI can help lower subjective measures of hunger during the postexercise period.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that a single dose of oligofructose-enriched inulin after exercise can help lower subjective hunger.
- They note that any effect on energy intake appears to be relatively transient.
- They suggest that postexercise oligofructose-enriched inulin may help individuals who are susceptible to eating more after exercise, but say future studies are needed to see if repeated use limits overall energy compensation and aids weight management.
How it was done
Exercise often leads to increased appetite and eating, which can limit weight loss. The authors wanted to see if a prebiotic fibre taken after exercise could help manage appetite.
14 adults (8 men, 6 women) with an average age of 26.8 years and BMI of 26.9 completed two evening exercise sessions on a bike for 45 minutes. After each session they drank either sweetened milk or sweetened milk with 20 g of a 50/50 mix of oligofructose and inulin. Blood was taken, appetite and gut feelings were rated, and the next morning they ate as much as they wanted from a breakfast buffet.
What it can’t tell you
- This was a small study of 14 people, so the results may not apply to everyone.
- The study did not include a non-exercise control, so it cannot show whether exercise itself was needed for the effects seen.
- The study cannot show whether taking oligofructose-enriched inulin regularly after exercise would help with weight control over time.
Who paid
- Funding
- Funded by University of Lethbridge (from the PubMed record).
- Conflicts
- C.C.H. and M.R.B. declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as potential conflicts of interest.
- Authors work at
- University of Lethbridge, Canada
The paper
- Title
- Oligofructose-Enriched Inulin Consumption Acutely Modifies Markers of Postexercise Appetite
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Hamilton CC, Bomhof MR (2023). Oligofructose-Enriched Inulin Consumption Acutely Modifies Markers of Postexercise Appetite. Nutrients. doi:10.3390/nu15245017Free full textPubMed 38140276DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error