According to a new systematic review with meta-analyses published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, chicory root fiber intake is associated with significant reductions in body weight, body mass index (BMI), fat mass, waist circumference, and, to a certain extent, body fat percentage. The review suggests that chicory root fiber supplementation can achieve clinically meaningful reductions in body weight and other parameters.

With one in eight people globally living with obesity, and 2.5 billion people overweight, weight management has become a global health priority. With this in mind, the findings demonstrate that inulin and oligofructose, fibers sourced from chicory root, can be incorporated into products to deliver positive results, according to Beneo, the manufacturers of a chicory root fiber and supporters of the review.

The review covered 32 randomized controlled trials, involving nearly 1,200 participants. The studies were selected based on a literature search and review process that followed the guidelines of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews and Interventions, and the PRISMA standards of quality for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The criteria for inclusion was studies designed to gauge the effect of chicory root consumption on body weight, BMI, total body fat, body fat percentage, or waist circumference in adults of all health conditions.

In 29 of the trials, representing 1184 adults, body weight was the primary outcome. In these studies, supplementation with chicory root fiber was associated with a statistically significant and clinically meaningful 2% reduction in body weight on average compared to placebo. These effects were observed in dosages as low as 10 grams per day. The effectiveness of chicory root fiber on weight loss was not reduced over time but became even more pronounced. The researchers further reported that weight loss was achieved independent of the health status of the individual – when supplementation lasted for at least 8 weeks, a reduction in body fat percentage was noted.

“Prebiotics have been investigated for their ability to modulate the gut microbiota and affect various aspects of metabolic health,” said Raylene Reimer, professor at the University of Calgary in Canada and author of the review. “This systematic review and meta-analyses show that inulin-type fructans, specifically those derived from chicory root, beneficially impact multiple facets of body weight management. Given the positive outcomes seen across a wide range of participants, chicory root prebiotic fiber could be an important tool to help promote improved weight management.”