Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are digestible by human metabolism and non caloric. They are recognyzed as prebiotics: non digestible food ingredient that have a selective stimulation of the growth of probiotics like Acidophillus and Bifidus. These microrganisms promote healty benefits, since decrease in blood cholesterol untill decrease of the potential for several human pathologies like cancer. This review is about FOS health effects, and some FOS applications, specially in food industry.
fructooligosaccharides; non conventional sugar; prebiotic; health benefits