A 2026 randomized controlled trial found that fructanase, an enzyme that breaks down fiber, reduced abdominal pain by 44%, bloating, and fatigue when 30 healthy adults took it with a high-fiber meal containing inulin. According to Gram Research analysis, the symptom relief was most pronounced 8 to 24 hours after eating, suggesting the enzyme works by preventing uncomfortable fermentation in the colon. However, the study was small and only included healthy people, so more research is needed before recommending it widely for digestive conditions like irritable bowel syndrome.
According to Gram Research analysis, a new enzyme called fructanase may help prevent uncomfortable bloating, gas, and stomach pain when you eat high-fiber foods like inulin. In a 2026 study published in The Journal of Nutrition, 30 healthy adults took either a fructanase supplement or a placebo before eating a meal containing 25 grams of inulin, a type of fiber. Those who took the fructanase experienced significantly less abdominal pain, bloating, and fatigue compared to the placebo group. The enzyme works by breaking down fructans, a type of fiber, before they reach your colon where bacteria ferment them and cause gas. While the results are promising for people sensitive to certain fibers, researchers note that more studies are needed in people with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome.
Key Statistics
A 2026 randomized controlled trial of 30 healthy adults published in The Journal of Nutrition found that fructanase reduced abdominal pain by a statistically significant amount compared to placebo when taken with a 25-gram inulin challenge.
In the same study, fructanase reduced fatigue with highly significant statistical results (P less than 0.001) compared to placebo during the 8-hour period after consuming high-fiber inulin.
The 2026 trial showed that fructanase reduced bloating, abdominal pain, and flatulence during the 8 to 24 hour period after eating, with bloating reduction reaching statistical significance (P equals 0.011).
Fructanase reduced burping in the first 8 hours after inulin consumption with statistical significance (P equals 0.040) in the 30-person crossover study, suggesting the enzyme’s effects develop gradually.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether an enzyme called fructanase can reduce stomach discomfort, bloating, and gas when people eat high-fiber foods containing inulin.
- Who participated: 30 healthy adults with an average age of 38.6 years and normal body weight. All participants were free from digestive disorders at the start of the study.
- Key finding: People who took fructanase experienced significantly less abdominal pain (44% reduction), fatigue (strong reduction), bloating, and gas compared to those who took a placebo, especially in the 8 to 24 hour period after eating the high-fiber meal.
- What it means for you: If you experience bloating or stomach pain when eating high-fiber foods, fructanase supplements might help reduce these symptoms. However, this study was done in healthy people without digestive problems, so results may differ for people with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome. Talk to your doctor before trying any new supplement.
The Research Details
This was a randomized controlled trial, which is one of the most reliable types of research studies. Researchers randomly assigned 30 healthy adults to take either a fructanase supplement or a placebo (fake pill) along with a meal containing 25 grams of inulin, a type of soluble fiber. The study used a crossover design, meaning each person participated in both conditions on different days so researchers could compare how each person responded to the enzyme versus the placebo.
Participants reported their stomach symptoms using rating scales at baseline and then every hour for 24 hours after eating. They also provided breath samples every hour for the first 8 hours, which allowed researchers to measure hydrogen and methane gas produced by bacteria in the digestive system. The study was double-blind, meaning neither the participants nor the researchers knew who received the real enzyme and who received the placebo until after the data was collected.
This research design is important because it allows researchers to see cause and effect. By comparing each person’s response to both the enzyme and placebo, scientists can be more confident that any differences in symptoms are actually caused by the fructanase and not by other factors like diet, stress, or individual differences between people. The double-blind design prevents bias from affecting the results.
This study has several strengths: it used a rigorous randomized controlled trial design, included objective measurements like breath gas analysis, and measured symptoms over a full 24-hour period. However, the sample size was relatively small (30 people), and all participants were healthy adults without digestive problems. The study did not find significant differences in breath hydrogen and methane between groups, which was unexpected and suggests the mechanism by which fructanase works may be more complex than initially thought.
What the Results Show
The main finding was that fructanase reduced several gastrointestinal symptoms compared to placebo, but the effect was stronger during the 8 to 24 hour period after eating. During the first 8 hours, fructanase reduced abdominal pain and fatigue, and decreased burping. From 8 to 24 hours after the meal, fructanase produced more dramatic improvements: it reduced overall abdominal symptoms by a statistically significant amount, reduced bloating, decreased abdominal pain further, and reduced flatulence (gas).
Interestingly, the overall abdominal symptom score during the first 8 hours was not statistically significant between groups, suggesting that the enzyme’s benefits may take time to develop or may be more noticeable as the fiber moves through the digestive system. The reduction in fatigue was particularly strong, with fructanase showing a highly significant benefit compared to placebo.
These results suggest that fructanase works by breaking down fructans before they reach the colon, where bacteria would normally ferment them and produce gas and bloating. By reducing the amount of fructans available for fermentation, the enzyme appears to reduce the uncomfortable symptoms associated with eating high-fiber foods.
One unexpected finding was that breath hydrogen and methane concentrations did not differ significantly between the fructanase and placebo groups. Researchers expected to see lower levels of these gases when participants took the enzyme, since less fermentation should produce less gas. This suggests that either the enzyme may work through a mechanism other than simply reducing bacterial fermentation, or that the breath measurements may not have captured all the relevant gas production. This finding highlights that more research is needed to fully understand how fructanase reduces symptoms.
This is one of the first human studies testing fructanase for reducing gastrointestinal symptoms. Previous research showed that fructanase can break down fructans in laboratory conditions, but this study is important because it demonstrates the enzyme can actually reduce real-world symptoms in people. The results align with the theory that breaking down problematic fibers before they reach the colon should reduce fermentation and associated symptoms, though the unexpected breath gas results suggest the full story may be more complicated.
The study had several important limitations. First, it only included 30 healthy adults without digestive problems, so the results may not apply to people with irritable bowel syndrome or other digestive conditions who are most likely to benefit from this supplement. Second, the study used a relatively high dose of inulin (25 grams), which is more than most people would eat in a typical meal, so real-world benefits might be different. Third, the lack of difference in breath gas measurements between groups is puzzling and suggests researchers don’t fully understand how the enzyme works. Finally, the study was relatively short term, so it’s unclear whether fructanase would remain effective if used regularly over weeks or months.
The Bottom Line
Based on this research, fructanase supplements may help reduce bloating, gas, and stomach pain when eating high-fiber foods, particularly in the hours after eating. However, confidence in this recommendation is moderate because the study was small and only included healthy people. If you experience symptoms after eating fiber-rich foods, fructanase may be worth trying, but discuss it with your doctor first, especially if you have a diagnosed digestive condition. More research is needed before making strong recommendations for people with irritable bowel syndrome or other digestive disorders.
This research is most relevant to people who experience bloating, gas, or abdominal pain when eating high-fiber foods or foods containing inulin. It may be particularly useful for people trying to increase their fiber intake but struggling with digestive symptoms. However, people with diagnosed digestive conditions like irritable bowel syndrome should wait for additional research before trying this supplement, as this study only tested healthy people. Anyone considering a new supplement should consult their healthcare provider first.
Based on this study, symptom relief appears to develop gradually over several hours, with the most noticeable improvements occurring 8 to 24 hours after taking the enzyme with a high-fiber meal. You would likely need to take the supplement with or just before eating high-fiber foods to experience benefits. It’s unclear from this single study how long benefits would last if you used the supplement regularly, so longer-term studies are needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does fructanase actually reduce bloating from fiber?
Research shows fructanase reduced bloating significantly in a 2026 study of 30 healthy adults who consumed high-fiber inulin. The effect was strongest 8 to 24 hours after eating. However, this was a small study in healthy people, so individual results may vary.
How long does it take for fructanase to work?
In the 2026 trial, fructanase showed benefits starting within the first 8 hours after taking it with a high-fiber meal, with more pronounced symptom reduction occurring 8 to 24 hours later. Effects appear gradual rather than immediate.
Is fructanase safe for people with IBS?
The 2026 study only tested fructanase in healthy adults without digestive disorders. Researchers specifically noted that more trials are needed in people with irritable bowel syndrome before recommending it for that condition. Consult your doctor before trying it.
What foods contain the fiber that fructanase breaks down?
Fructanase breaks down fructans, a type of fiber found in wheat, onions, garlic, asparagus, bananas, and inulin supplements. These foods commonly cause bloating and gas in people sensitive to fructans.
Can I take fructanase every day with meals?
The 2026 study tested fructanase as a single dose with one high-fiber meal. Long-term daily use was not studied, so it’s unclear whether regular use would remain effective or cause any issues. Ask your doctor about appropriate dosing.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track your bloating and abdominal pain on a scale of 0 to 10 before taking fructanase and then hourly for 8 hours after taking it with a high-fiber meal. Record which meals contained inulin or other fructans, and note whether you took the supplement. Over 2 to 4 weeks, compare your average symptom scores on days you took the supplement versus days you didn’t.
- When you plan to eat a high-fiber meal or foods containing inulin, set a reminder to take your fructanase supplement 15 to 30 minutes before eating. Log the meal in your app and note the fiber content. Then use the app’s symptom tracker to record any bloating, gas, or abdominal pain over the next 24 hours to see if the supplement helps you personally.
- Create a weekly summary in your app comparing your digestive symptoms on days you used fructanase versus days you didn’t. Track not just bloating and pain, but also energy levels and fatigue, since the study showed significant fatigue reduction. After 4 weeks, review your data to determine if the supplement is actually helping your individual symptoms, since responses may vary from person to person.
This article summarizes research findings and should not be considered medical advice. Fructanase supplements are not approved by the FDA for treating any medical condition. The study discussed was conducted in healthy adults without digestive disorders, so results may not apply to people with irritable bowel syndrome or other gastrointestinal conditions. Before starting any new supplement, including fructanase, consult with your healthcare provider, especially if you take medications, have a diagnosed digestive condition, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. Individual results may vary, and this supplement is not a substitute for medical treatment.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.