Last updated August 22, 2026
Key finding
Fat mass decreased (medians: -0.26% vs +0.20%, p = 0.0273)
This study evaluated the effects of short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) on glucose homeostasis and body composition in overweight prediabetic adults, finding no significant impact on HbA1c but positive changes in body fat and lean mass.
Quick read
The essential study design details in one scan.
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Study type
RCTs
Follow-up
Medium-Term (3–12 mo)
Risk of bias
Some Concerns
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Plain-language summary
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Study focus
This study evaluated the effects of short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) on glucose homeostasis and body composition in overweight prediabetic adults, finding no significant impact on HbA1c but positive changes in body fat and lean mass.
These findings are important as they suggest that dietary interventions like scFOS could help improve body composition in overweight prediabetic individuals, which may be beneficial for overall health and diabetes prevention. However, the lack of significant changes in glucose metabolism markers indicates that further research is needed to understand the full impact of scFOS.
Small sample size may limit generalizability Short duration of the study may not capture long-term effects Lack of significant changes in glucose metabolism markers
Published in
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Cindy LB, Odile C, Sahara G, Thomas C. Effects of Short-Chain Fructo-Oligosaccharides on Glucose Homeostasis and Body Composition in Overweight Prediabetic Adults. Frontiers in Nutrition. 2025;12:1718169. doi:10.3389/fnut.2025.1718169
No significant change in HbA1c levels with scFOS (+0.055% vs +0.030% with placebo, p = 0.6835)
Body fat mass decreased with scFOS (-0.26% vs +0.20% with placebo, p = 0.0273)
Lean body mass increased with scFOS (+0.27% vs -0.30% with placebo, p = 0.0279)
Evidence network
Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.
This study contributes evidence to Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) and Body fat mass, Body weight, Change in Bifidobacterium abundance, and 5 more.
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS)
Primary outcomes
Primary intervention
Primary outcomes
Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.
Editorial context
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Evidence network role
This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.
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Evidence pairs
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Contributes evidence
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Primary evidence
Evidence topic
matched_outcome
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Core evidence
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) → Body fat mass
Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) → Body fat mass
Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) → Body weight
Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) → Body weight
Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) → Change in Bifidobacterium abundance
Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) → Change in Bifidobacterium abundance
Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) → Change in fecal acetate levels
Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) → Change in fecal acetate levels
Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) → Change in fecal propionate levels
Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) → Change in fecal propionate levels
Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) → Gut microbiota diversity
Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) → Gut microbiota diversity
Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) → HbA1c
Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) → HbA1c
Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) → Lean body mass
Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) → Lean body mass
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Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.
This study contributes to evidence on Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) and Change in Bifidobacterium abundance, Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) and Body Composition.
This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.
Diet and Nutrition
Diet and Nutrition
Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.
All studies measuring Body Composition
Measures Body Composition as a key outcome.
All studies measuring Body Weight
Measures Body Weight as a key outcome.
All studies measuring Change in Bifidobacterium abundance
Measures Change in Bifidobacterium abundance as a key outcome.
All studies on Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS)
Contributes to Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) evidence base.
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Published within the last 2 years.
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1 results
1 results
1 results
1 results
1 results
Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.
Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) appears to improve body fat mass.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Body fat mass
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) appears to improve change in bifidobacterium abundance.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Change in Bifidobacterium abundance
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) appears to improve change in fecal acetate levels.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Change in fecal acetate levels
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) appears to improve change in fecal propionate levels.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Change in fecal propionate levels
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
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