Digestive physiological outcomes related to polydextrose and soluble maize fibre consumption by healthy adult men

• Published in: British journal of nutrition Vol. 106; no. 12; pp. 1864 - 1871
• Main Authors: Vester Boler, Brittany M., Rossoni Serao, Mariana C., Bauer, Laura L., Staeger, Michael A., Boileau, Thomas W., Swanson, Kelly S., Fahey, George C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 28.12.2011
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Carbohydrates; Corn; Cross-Over Studies; Dietary fiber; Dietary Fiber - administration & dosage; Dietary Fiber - adverse effects; Digestive system; Digestive System Physiological Phenomena; DNA, Bacterial - genetics; DNA, Bacterial - isolation & purification; Feces - chemistry; Feces - microbiology; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Fermentation; Fibers; Flatulence - etiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gastroesophageal Reflux - etiology; Glucans - administration & dosage; Glucans - adverse effects; Human and Clinical Nutrition; Humans; Male; Men; Metagenome; Nutrition research; Physiology; Prebiotics; Solubility; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Young Adult; Zea mays; Polydextrose; Fibre; Soluble maize fibre; Fermentation; Human; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Prognosis; Digestive system; Food intake; Adult
• ISSN: 0007-1145; 1475-2662
• DOI: 10.1017/S0007114511002388

The objective of the present study was to evaluate digestive physiological outcomes elicited by functional fibres fed to healthy adult men. A total of twenty-one healthy adult men were utilised in a cross-over design. Each subject received polydextrose (PDX) or soluble maize fibre (SCF) (21 g/d) or no supplemental fibre (no fibre control; NFC) in a snack bar. Periods were 21 d and faeces were collected during the last 5 d of each period. Food intake, including fibre intake, did not differ among treatments. Flatulence (P = 0·001) and distention (P = 0·07) were greatest when subjects consumed PDX or SCF. Reflux was greater (P = 0·04) when subjects consumed SCF compared with NFC. All tolerance scores were low ( < 2·5), indicating only slight discomfort. Faecal ammonia, 4-methylphenol, indole and branched-chain fatty acid concentrations were decreased (P < 0·01) when subjects consumed the functional fibre sources compared with NFC. Faecal acetate, propionate and butyrate concentrations were lower (P < 0·05) when subjects consumed PDX compared with SCF and NFC. Faecal pH was lower (P = 0·01) when subjects consumed SCF compared with NFC, while PDX was intermediate. Faecal wet weight was greatest (P = 0·03) when subjects consumed SCF compared with NFC. Faecal dry weight tended to be greater (P = 0·07) when subjects consumed PDX compared with NFC. The functional fibres led to 1·4 and 0·9 g (PDX and SCF, respectively) increases in faecal dry mass per g supplemental fibre intake. Bifidobacterium spp. concentrations were greater (P < 0·05) when subjects consumed SCF compared with NFC. These functional fibres appear to be beneficial to gut health while leading to minimal gastrointestinal upset.