Chicory inulin does not increase stool weight or speed up intestinal transit time in healthy male subjects.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine the effects of a 20 g/day chicory inulin supplement on gut microbiota, bowel function, and fermentation by-products in healthy individuals.
Results Summary
Inulin increased beneficial gut bacteria (total anaerobes and Lactobacillus) and reduced ammonia levels and β-glucuronidase activity, but also increased flatulence. It had minimal effects on laxation measures and no impact on food acceptability.
Population
Twelve healthy male volunteers
Effective Dosage
20 g/day
Duration
3 weeks per treatment
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
20 g day(-1) supplement of chicory inulin | increase | total anaerobes | Twelve healthy male volunteers | - | resulted in a significant increase | #1 |
20 g day(-1) supplement of chicory inulin | increase | Lactobacillus species | Twelve healthy male volunteers | - | resulted in a significant increase | #2 |
20 g day(-1) supplement of chicory inulin | decrease | ammonia levels | Twelve healthy male volunteers | - | a significant decrease | #3 |
20 g day(-1) supplement of chicory inulin | decrease | β-glucuronidase activity | Twelve healthy male volunteers | - | a significant decrease | #4 |
inulin treatment | increase | Flatulence | Twelve healthy male volunteers | - | increased significantly | #5 |
addition of inulin to the diet | no change | bowel function | Twelve healthy male volunteers | no significant differences | No other significant differences were found | #6 |
Twenty grams of inulin | no change | measures of laxation | healthy, human subjects | minimal effects | had minimal effects | #7 |
Inulin is a non-digestible oligosaccharide classified as a prebiotic, a substrate that promotes the growth of certain beneficial microorganisms in the gut. We examined the effect of a 20 g day(-1) supplement of chicory inulin on stool weight, intestinal transit time, stool frequency and consistency, selected intestinal microorganisms and enzymes, fecal pH, short chain fatty acids and ammonia produced as by-products of bacterial fermentation. Twelve healthy male volunteers consumed a well-defined, controlled diet with and without a 20 g day(-1) supplement of chicory inulin (degree of polymerization (DP) ranging for 2-60), with each treatment lasting for 3 weeks in a randomized, double-blind crossover trial. Inulin was consumed in a low fat ice cream. No differences were found in flavor or appeal between the control and inulin-containing ice creams. Inulin consumption resulted in a significant increase in total anaerobes and Lactobacillus species and a significant decrease in ammonia levels and β-glucuronidase activity. Flatulence increased significantly with the inulin treatment. No other significant differences were found in bowel function with the addition of inulin to the diet. Thus, inulin is easily incorporated into a food product and has no negative effects on food acceptability. Twenty grams of inulin was well tolerated, but had minimal effects on measures of laxation in healthy, human subjects.