Fructans Suspect in Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity Randomized double-blind trial casts doubt on need for gluten-free diets

In a randomized, double-blind crossover trial of 59 patients with self-reported intolerance to wheat, rye, and barley, but no celiac disease, the overall symptom score was highest after challenge with the carbohydrate fructan. Fructan is a member of the fermentable oligo-di-monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs) family, and is often found in gluten-containing foods such as wheat. https://www.medpagetoday.com/gastroenterology/generalgastroenterology/71617?xid=NL_breakingnews_2018-03-08&eun=g721819d0r&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MorningBreak_030818&utm_term=Morning%20Break%20-%20Active%20Users%20-%20180%20days Fructans consist of soluble fibre (4). Adding fructans to processed food is a growing trend in the food manufacturing industry. This is because fructans (especially inulin) are considered a functional ingredient that can increase fibre content of processed food (4). The fermentable fibre is meant to help the growth of ‘friendly’ gut bacteria because they act like prebiotics (1 4), which is great for normal people but not so great for people who can’t tolerate FODMAPs! This means you should check the labels of processed foods and supplements for inulin, added fibre, and other fructans. Where are fructans found? Plants use fructans as storage carbohydrates. This means fructans can be found in a wide range of fruits, vegetables and cereals (1). Most types of beans/pulses/legumes and some nuts are also high in fructan containing oligosaccharides (3). One of our major sources of fructans is wheat, which means cutting out wheat can dramatically decrease our fructan intake (1 4). Below is a table of high FODMAP foods that contain fructans. This table is by no means intended to provide a full list of fructan-containing foods, but to show how many different foods contain fructans. For a more comprehensive list of fructan-containing foods and their FODMAP levels, please refer to the Monash University phone app or low FODMAP booklet.https://alittlebityummy.com/fructans-the-low-fodmap-diet/