The efficacy and tolerability of a new weight-reduction agent, based on natural ingredients, was investigated in this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. The product reduces the absorption of different types of sugar from the gastrointestinal tract. Forty obese volunteers were included in the 12-week study.

Both groups lost approximately 5 % of their body weight by week nine (−5.3 ± 0.1 % vs −4.3 ± 0.4 %, p = 0.13, but the inulin group lost significantly more weight between 9 and 18 weeks (−2.3 ± 0.5 % vs −0.6 ± 0.4 %, p = 0.012). Subjects taking inulin had lower hepatic (p = 0.02) and soleus muscle (p < 0.05) fat content at 18 weeks compared to control even after controlling for weight loss and consumed less at the ad libitum meal test (p = 0.027). Fasting glucose significantly decreased at week nine only (p = 0.005), insulin concentrations did not change, and there was a significant increase in GLP-1 in the cellulose group at 9 and 18 weeks (p < 0.03, p < 0.00001).

Experimental studies suggest potential anti-obesity effects of non-digestible oligosaccharides (NDOs). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of NDO intake on body weight and other anthropometric parameters in overweight or obese adults through a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs. Multiple databases were searched for relevant randomised, controlled trials on NDOs and body weight or associated outcomes. Statistical pooling of data for meta-analysis was performed using the generic inversevariance method with random-effects models. Nine trials were included post-screening (n = 455 participants). Increased intake of NDOs resulted in statistically significant reduction in body weight (MD=-0.87 kg [95% CI:-1.55,0.20], p = 0.01) and body fat (-1.56 kg [95% CI:-2.23,-0.89], p<0.00001) relative to control. A risk of bias assessment revealed potential for improvement in reporting/design of most trials.