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Effect of high performance chicory inulin on constipation
Abstract
It is known that chicory inulin (average degree of polymerisation DP=10) and oligofructose (DP=4) affect bowel function. Whereas transit time is not affected with daily doses ranging between 4 and 15g, such doses increase stool frequency and have a faecal bulking effect in healthy volunteers.Recently a new type of chicory inulin with higher average chain length (DP=25) has become commercially available. From a nutritional point of view this is an interesting carbohydrate, as it is fermented more slowly than the native product, giving it the opportunity to arrive in more distal parts of the colon.In this placebo controlled study, we investigated the effect of this high performance inulin on bowel function in healthy volunteers with low stool frequency (1 stool every 2 to 3 days).Subjects were administered 15g of the product/day for 2 weeks. Besides macroscopic observations (stool frequency, faecal bulking, etc.), or-caecal transit time, effect on intestinal permeability, amount of faecal fat, bile acids, dry solids, etc. were monitored.There was a significant increase in stool frequency with the high performance inulin (p=0.02). The earlier observed trend to increase faecal bulk with 1.5 to 2g per g inulin ingested was observed in present study as well. There were no effects on the other measured parameters.
... The beneficial effect is reflected by several indicators of the intestinal habits, such as increased number of stools per week, lower stool consistency according to the Bristol scale and lower intestinal transit time. As regarding the stool frequency, the results of this meta-analysis sustain the data obtained by others studies (11,12), that the consumption of inulin contributes to the perception of beneficial effects. A pilot-study conducted in 2013 on IBS-C patients who received yogurt enriched with inulin demonstrated a consistent benefit regarding bowel habits (13). ...
... A pilot-study conducted in 2013 on IBS-C patients who received yogurt enriched with inulin demonstrated a consistent benefit regarding bowel habits (13). Similar effects were reported by several other studies regarding increased stool frequency after supplementation with different doses of inulin (12,14). A dose of at least 12 g of inulin consumed per day leads to significantly higher stool frequency in patients with chronic constipation (12). ...
... Similar effects were reported by several other studies regarding increased stool frequency after supplementation with different doses of inulin (12,14). A dose of at least 12 g of inulin consumed per day leads to significantly higher stool frequency in patients with chronic constipation (12). These data are also sustained by the scientific opinion of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which postulated that there is a cause-effect relationship between the consumption of 12 g/day of 'native chicory inulin' and the maintenance of normal defecation by increasing stool frequency, without resulting in digestive discomfort (15). ...
At present, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common medical problem all over the world that implies considerable social burden and high costs. Considering the different pathophysiological pathways, unitary management for IBS is not possible. Of the therapeutic approaches that have been proposed so far, only a few have been demonstrated to have beneficial effects in IBS patients. The implication of gut microbiota in IBS is obvious, similarly to the therapeutic effect of pro-/prebiotics, which is reflected by the latest publications. The intake of inulin seems to regulate the bowel peristalsis and colonic transit, the consistency and frequency of the stools, as it changes the composition of gut microbiota. The beneficial effect of inulin in patients with IBS-constipation form (IBS-C) is obvious, but still, more randomized controlled clinical trials involving large samples of patients are needed in order to provide more evidence.
... Inulin fibre passes through the upper GIT undigested, reaching the colon where it is fermented by bacteria thereby modulating the bacteria residing in the GIT, i.e. 'gut microbiota' (Gibson & Roberfroid, 1995). Inulin has been shown to improve bowel habit through increased stool weight, softer stools, reduced GIT symptoms, and improved quality of life (Castiglia-Delavaud et al., 1998;Den Hond, Geypens, & Ghoos, 2000;Vandeputte et al., 2017a). Although the exact mechanism of how inulin may improve GIT health and relieve constipation are not completely understood, the impact of nutrition (Flint, Scott, Louis, & Duncan, 2012), and more recently inulin's ability to modulate the gut microbiota have been suggested to play a role (Vandeputte et al., 2017a). ...
... Trial A. The number of subjects recruited for trial A was based on stool frequency data from a similar cross-over trial (Den Hond et al., 2000) (Table 1), showing that 22 subjects would provide a power of 90% to detect a difference between groups of 1.5 in weekly stool frequency with alpha 5%. Sixteen volunteers were recruited for the study and 10 subjects, who met the criteria and submitted all requested records, completed the study. ...
... Interestingly, when data of subjects with low initial stool frequency from Trials A and B were combined, there was a statistically significant increase in frequency of 0.77 defecations per week. These improvements in defecation frequency are in line with previous reports on subjects with more serious clinically relevant constipation (Den Hond et al., 2000;Micka, Siepelmeyer, Holz, Theis, & Schön, 2017;Sobotka et al., 1997). It appears that the effect of native inulin to improving stool frequency can be effectively observed in persons with low stool frequency without a clinical diagnosis of constipation. ...
Inulin is a soluble dietary fibre, also classified as a prebiotic, extracted from chicory roots. The present study aimed to determine the effect of consumption of native chicory inulin on the stool frequency of middle-aged to older adults (40-75 years old) with uncomfortably but not clinically relevant low stool frequency, specified as two to four days without bowel movements per week. Two randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled crossover trials were conducted using similar protocols in differing populations. Trial A was conducted in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and subsequently Trial B was conducted in Newcastle, United Kingdom. Both trials involved supplementation for 5 weeks with 10 g per day of inulin or placebo, a washout period of 2 weeks, and then crossed over to receive the other treatment. In Trial B, faecal gut microbiota composition was assessed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. In Trial A, which 10 volunteers completed, the stool frequency was significantly increased to an average 4.9 ± 0.23 (SEM) times per week during inulin periods versus 3.6 ± 0.25 in the periods with placebo (p = 0.01). In contrast, in Trial B which 20 volunteers completed, there was no significant effect of the inulin on stool frequency (7.5 ± 2.1 times per week with inulin, 8.1 ± 3.0 with placebo, p = 0.35). However, many subjects in Trial B had a stool frequency >5 per week also for the placebo period, in breach of the inclusion criteria. Combining the data of 16 low stool frequency subjects from Trials A and B showed a significant effect of inulin to increase stool frequency from 4.1 to 5.0 per week (p = 0.032). Regarding secondary outcomes, stool consistency was significantly softer with inulin treatment compared to placebo periods, it increased 0.29 on the Bristol stool scale (p = 0.008) when data from all subjects of Trials A and B were combined. No other differences in bowel habit parameters due to inulin consumption were significant. None of the differences in specific bacterial abundance, alpha or beta diversity were significant, however the trends were in directions consistent with published studies on other types of inulin. We conclude that 10 g per day of native chicory inulin can increase stool frequency in subjects with low stool frequency.
... Aside from being degraded by inulinase that is found only in the colon, this polysaccharide passes straight through the stomach and the small intestine intact making it a good candidate for colon targeting. Inulin's membrane stabilization ability is well established and has been used in pharmaceutical industries for several purposes, including to stabilize therapeutic proteins [32][33][34][35][36]. Modified inulin also improve the low dissolution of poorly soluble drugs [37][38][39], measurement of kidney function [40,41], modulate lipid production [42], glycemic control, as dietary fiber, prebiotic, treatment of constipation [43][44][45], vaccine adjuvant [46,47] and in cancer treatments [48][49][50] among others. Modified inulin has also been used for drug delivery [51] for targeting the colon [52][53][54] and pulmonary drug delivery [55]. ...
... For more than 60 years, low molecular weight, soluble inulin has been considered as the "gold standard" for assessing kidney function because it is predominantly eliminated by rapid renal excretion, making it a useful compound for measuring glomerular blood filtration rate [43,44]. The exceptional tropism of inulin towards the kidney makes this polysaccharide a potential carrier for kidney-targeted drug delivery. ...
Inulin’s unique and flexible structure, stabilization/protective effects, and organ targeting ability make it an excellent drug delivery carrier compared to other biodegradable polysaccharides. The three hydroxyl groups attached to each fructose unit serve as an anchor for chemical modification. This, in turn, helps in increasing bioavailability, improving cellular uptake, and achieving targeted, sustained, and controlled release of drugs and biomolecules. This review focuses on the various types of inulin drug delivery systems such as hydrogel, conjugates, nanoparticles, microparticles, micelles, liposomes, complexes, prodrugs, and solid dispersion. The preparation and applications of the different inulin drug delivery systems are further discussed. This work highlights the fact that modification of inulin allows the use of this polymer as multifunctional scaffolds for different drug delivery systems.
... Reports have claimed that intake of 8− 10 g/day of inulin has positively reduced serum triglyceride, cholesterol concentration and has effectively increased calcium absorption in the body (Jackson et al., 1999;Costa et al., 2015). Likewise, intake of 15− 20 g/day of inulin has relieved constipation greatly (Gibson et al., 1995;Kleessen et al., 1997;Hond et al., 2000) and can be efficiently used as a bulking agent . ...
... Hond et al. (2000); Van Laere andVan den Ende (2002);Roberfroid (2005); Ramnani et al.Bell and Palmer (1952);Vijn and Smeekens (1999); Pardo-Rueda et al. (2015); Branched (graminan) fructans 2− 1 and 2− 6 1-and 6-kestose Wheat, barley Obenland et al. (1993); Joudi et al. (2012); Koruri et al. (2014); Cimini et al. (2015) Inulin neoseries 2− 1 linkages but with the glucose molecule between two fructosyl subunits 6G-kestotriose (neokestose) Asparagus, Lolium (ryegrass), onion Shiomi (1989); Morvan-Bertrand et al. (2001) Levan neoseries 2− 6 linkage 6G-kestotriose (neokestose) Lolium, oats Sims et al. (1992); Koruri et al. (2014) * Waterhouse and Chatterton (1993); Roberfroid (2005). et al. ...
Fructans are the non-structural polymers of D-fructose that are obtained abundantly from plants as well as microbial sources. Fructans have been divided into three groups based on their linkages i.e. inulin, levans, and graminan. Due to its ample applicability, fructans are being utilized in the food and pharmaceutical industries. In food products like ice cream and fermented milk’s fructans increase the viscosity. Further, it is widely used as a prebiotics owing to its non-digestible features and as fat as well as a sugar substitute in the food industries. Additionally, fructans have been employed as a very effective functional ingredient for the management of different chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, colon cancer, etc. This review has been cited to thrive chemistry of fructans biosynthesis, its utilization in the food and non-food industries, its optimistic health impacts including prebiotic significance, and safety aspect as well.
... Inulin-type fructans have been recognized by the International Scientific Association of Pro-and Prebiotics (ISAPP) as prebiotic, defined as 'a substrate that is selectively utilized by the host microorganisms conferring a health benefit' [14] . In addition to altering the abundance of mainly bifidobacteria [15] and some other species, the use of prebiotic inulin has also been shown to reduce inflammation [16] , modify immune responses [17,18] , and improve bowel function [19,20] and blood markers such as insulin, glucose and lipids [21] . The microbiota changes are implicated in these benefits. ...
... However, chicory longchain inulin consumption was found to modify the microbiota composition and microbial fermentation in elderly in a beneficial direction to the best of our knowledge for the first time with increased relative abundance of bifidobacteria and other species implicated in health effects. Such effects on microbiota may underlie improvements in bowel habit reported for chicory long chain inulin in elderly [20] . Further research is required to determine the impact of this on other physiological health parameters for chronic conditions in elderly such as general inflammation and mental health issues. ...
Scope
During ageing, dysbiosis in the intestinal microbiota might occur and impact health. There is a paucity of studies on the effect of fiber on the elderly microbiota and the flexibility of the aged microbiota upon prebiotic intake. We hypothesized that chicory long‐chain inulin consumption can change microbiota composition, microbial fermentation products and immunity in the elderly.
Methods and results
A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial was performed in healthy individuals (55‐80 years), in which microbiota composition was studied before, during and after two months of chicory long‐chain inulin consumption. Fecal SCFA concentrations, T cell subsets and antibody responses against a Hepatitis B (HB) vaccine were measured as well. Inulin consumption modified the microbiota composition, as measured by 16S rRNA sequencing. Participants consuming inulin had a higher microbial diversity and a relative higher abundance of the Bifidobacterium genus, as well as Alistipes shahii, Anaerostipes hadrus, and Parabacteroides distasonis. While the immune responses remained unchanged, the isobutyric acid levels, an undesired fermentation product, tended to be lower in the inulin group.
Conclusions
Overall, we show for the first time that the gut microbiota composition is still sensitive to chicory long‐chain inulin induced changes in an ageing population, although this did not translate into an improved immune response to a HB vaccine.
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... Previous literature reports clearly show that the consumption of additional fructan portions increases the frequency of bowel movements. 42,43 However, the increase in the frequency of bowel movements in the control group consuming apple juice was a little startling. Recently, a work confirming our observations was published. ...
... Increased fructan consumption increased gas production due to the increased activity of intestinal microbiota, 5 but this did not necessarily turn into an increase in flatulence frequency. 11,42,43 In this case, reducing the frequency of flatulence could be associated with an increase in the frequency of bowel movements. In the case of bloatedness, there were no significant differences between the control and study group, which was also noted in other studies. ...
The aim of this study was to analyse the content of reducing sugars in beverages obtained on the basis of apple juice with the addition of 2 and 4 % of native and high polymerized inulin as well as oligofructose. Moreover, the effect of consumption of this potentially prebiotic beverage containing high polymerized inulin (12 g/ 300 mL) on the constipation was analysed. Pasteurization of studied beverages followed by 120-day storage at ambient temperature, carried out in three independent trials, did not cause hydrolysis of fructans into reducing sugars. Sensory analysis showed that the presence of fructans in beverages based on apple juice did not change the colour, clarity, odour, flavour, sweetness and acidity in comparison to apple juice. A placebo-controlled, randomized study involved 20 volunteers aged 20 to 29 with symptoms related to chronic constipation showed that consumption of juice enriched with high polymerized inulin significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased the frequency of bowel movements and facilitated defecation. The final conclusion is that fructans in beverages based on apple juice are chemically stable, do not affect sensory sensation and can help those with chronic constipation.
... A decrease in liver lipogenesis is the main mechanism underlying the decrease in plasma triacylglycerol levels, while the mechanism for cholesterol reduction remains unclear [54][55][56]. Inulin also has fecal bulking effects with improved stool frequency and consistency [57,58]. In the colon, inulin is fermented by the microbiota and supports the growth of bifidiobacteria and lactobacilli which are health-promoting bacteria that boost the immune system and produce SCFAs. ...
Purpose of Review
Epidemiologic studies and clinical trials have demonstrated the benefits of dietary fiber. This occurs through a combination of the physiochemical properties of fiber and through microbial fermentation that occurs in the colon which result in the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). The purpose of this review is to highlight the physiochemical properties of fiber that result in the range of physiologic effects and to review the literature on the health benefits of acetate, propionate, and butyrate.
Recent Findings
Of the variety of properties and functions exerted by dietary fibers, the fermentability and production of SCFA’s are emphasized in this review. Studies done in both animal and humans reveal the anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, and possible anti-neoplastic roles SCFAs exert at the mucosal level.
Summary
Many clinical questions remain regarding the optimal dose, type, and method of delivery of fiber to exert the desired beneficial effects. It has the potential to be used in the management of clinical symptoms, prevention of disease, and improvement in human health. Further studies to address this novel use of fiber has the potential to make a large impact in clinical practice
... Further, some of the carbohydrate derivatives such as inulin, β glucan, polydextrose, oat ingredients offer many health benefits, besides improving the textural attributes. Hond (2000) and Kleessen (1997) reported that consumption of 15-20 g inulin per day contributes to counteracting constipation. Schneeman (1999) suggested that an increase in defecation frequency decreases the risk of colon cancer. ...
Reducing the fat content of dairy products adversely affects their flavour, texture and mouthfeel which consequently affect the consumer acceptance of skim milk. It was observed in the present study that pasteurized toned milk (3% fat, 8.5% SNF) had better sensory properties and higher viscosities than pasteurized skim milk, showing the importance of fat in consumer acceptance of milk samples. In commercial practice, skim milk is therefore traded only upon UHT treatment as it was much better in sensory properties than pasteurized skim milk. Since carbohydrate derivatives are usually used as fat mimetics, Inulin fruitafit text and fruitafit HD and polydextrose were added at different levels (0-2.5%) to skim milk to improve its quality attributes. It is observed that incorporation of a 1% level of polydextrose in combination with either of inulins (@ 1%) had improved viscosity and sensory properties. The rheological properties of such milk were comparable to that of toned milk and better than that of UHT skim milk. The quality of the skim milk added with carbohydrate derivatives was not affected by the normal processing treatments, such as homogenisation, pasteurization, boiling and sterilization. The gross constituents such as fat, protein, lactose and ash contents did not differ much with the control skim milk sample. The pH, acidity, and color (measured as % reflectance) of the skim milk samples added with the derivative were within the normal range. The samples were heat-stable, had high MBR time and when packed in LDPE pouches and stored at 50C kept well for two days. After appropriate approvals from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) pasteurised skim milk added with GRAS carbohydrate derivatives can be commercialised with improved consumer acceptance and affordability.
... Inulin is a polymer of fructans comprised of linear chains of fructosyl groups connected by b (2-1) glycosidic bonds terminated at the reducing end by an a-D-(1-2)-glucopyranoside ring group (Barclay et al., 2010). This inulin-type fructan is distinguished as a non-digestible carbohydrate and is predominantly used, such as a food supplement for patients with obesity, type 2 diabetes, constipation, colon cancer, and atherosclerosis disease (Bonsu and Johnson, 2012;Hond et al., 2000). Additionally, pharmacologists use it in a way of bioactive compounds with the benefits to possess anti-cancer and immune-enhancing properties in the body (Jantaharn et al., 2018;Korbelik and Cooper, 2007). ...
Different terminal drought durations might impact inulin traits of Jerusalem artichoke (JA) and some physiological traits are expected to be relevant to their genotype response. Therefore, the aims of this study were to investigate the effect of different durations of terminal drought on inulin content and inulin yield as well as the associations among inulin traits, net photosynthesis rate (P n), and SPAD chlorophyll meter reading (SCMR) in JA genotypes. The field experiment was designed as a split-plot design with four replications during the late-rainy seasons over two years (2017/18 and 2018/19). The main plots were three water levels composed of optimal conditions (SD0), short (SD1), and long (SD2) durations of terminal drought. Six JA genotypes (HEL256, JA37, HEL253, JA4, JA60, and JA125) were arranged in subplots. All genotypes showed that inulin content in tubers was clearly significantly increased, whilst inulin yield drastically decreased under different terminal drought durations in comparison with optimal conditions. Among six genotypes, only HEL256, JA37, JA60, and JA125 had high inulin content coupled with high P n under SD0, and they had high inulin content under SD1, mainly due to high SCMR. JA37, JA4, JA60, and JA125 had a high inulin yield under SD2, might be they had high P n , indicating that these genotypes could be used as potential parental lines through plant breeding programs for the improvement of new varieties suitable for growing in terminal drought prone-areas. Based on data for two years, inulin content had significant positive associations with P n (p < 0.01) and SCMR (p < 0.05) under SD0 and SD1, respectively. Inulin yield showed significantly (p < 0.05 for 2017/18 and p < 0.01 for 2018/19) positive associations with P n under SD2, these results indicated that selection genotypes with high P n and SCMR could be effective as an indirect selection in acquiring high inulin traits simultaneously. Finally, our results suggest that SCMR could be used as a surrogate trait as it is a simple tool for drought-tolerant genotype screening in JA in order to identify high inulin content in tubers under short terminal drought durations.
... The insoluble dietary fibers (e.g., inulin, mucilage, pectin, fructo-oligosaccharides) are used as a laxative. It helps to improve gastric peristaltic activity to relieve constipation-related complications (Bose et al. 2017;Den Hond, Geypens, and Ghoos 2000;Synytsya et al. 2009). Nutraceuticals also exhibit systemic effects; they are reported broad range of therapeutic activities, which include antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-obesity, neuro and cardioprotective, antiviral, and antihyperlipidemic activity, among others (Habib et al. 2021). ...
The natural bioactive or nutraceuticals exhibit several health benefits, including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, metal chelation, antiviral, and antimicrobial activity. The inherent limitation of nutraceuticals or bioactive ligand(s) in terms of poor pharmacokinetic and other physicochemical properties affects their overall therapeutic efficiency. The excess of iron in the physiological compartments and its varying dynamic oxidation state [Fe(II) and Fe(III)] precipitates various clinical conditions such as non-transferrin bound iron (NTBI), labile iron pool (LIP), ferroptosis, cancer, etc. Though several natural bioactive ligands are proposed to chelate iron, the efficiency of bioactive ligands is limited due to poor bioavailability, denticity, and other related physicochemical properties. The present review provides insight into the relevance of studying the dynamic oxidation state of iron(II) and iron(III) in the physiological compartments and its clinical significance for selecting diagnostics and therapeutic regimes. We suggested a three-pronged approach, i.e., diagnosis, selection of therapeutic regime (natural bioactive), and integration of novel drug delivery systems (NDDS) or nanotechnology-based principles. This systematic approach improves the overall therapeutic efficiency of natural iron chelators to manage iron overload-related clinical conditions.
... Our subgroup analyses revealed that chicory-derived inulin type fructans may be able to increase stool frequency and soften stool in healthy participants. In clinical trials, chicory-derived inulin has been previously shown to improve bowel movements, modify stool weight and consistency, and increase fecal output (Den Hond, Geypens, and Ghoos 2000); all these effects may be associated with modest changes in gut microbiota composition, specifically in Bifidobacteria (Linetzky Waitzberg et al. 2012) We found only one previous review that assessed the effect of inulin on stool characteristics (de Vries et al. 2019). While the overall results were well in line with our meta-analysis, the study selection differed strongly from ours: we focused on ITF derived from chicory, while de Vries et al. (2019) included all inulin sources. ...
Inulin-type fructans are considered to stimulate the growth of beneficial microorganisms, like Bifidobacterium in the gut and support health. However, both the fructan source and chemical structure may modify these effects. A systematic review was conducted to assess the effects of chicory-derived inulin-type fructans consumed either in specific foods or as dietary supplements on abundance of Bifidobacterium in the gut and on health-related outcomes. Three electronic databases and two clinical trial registries were systematically searched until January 2021. Two authors independently selected randomized controlled trials that investigated with a protocol of minimum seven days supplementation the effect of chicory-derived inulin-type fructans on Bifidobacterium abundance in any population. Meta-analyses with random-effects model were conducted on Bifidobacterium abundance and bowel function parameters. We evaluated risk of bias using Cochrane RoB tool. Chicory-derived inulin-type fructans at a dose of 3–20 g/day significantly increased Bifidobacterium abundance in participants with an age range from 0 to 83 years (standardized mean difference: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.58–1.08; p < 0.01; 50 studies; 2525 participants). Significant bifidogenic effects were observed in healthy individuals and in populations with health impairments, except gastrointestinal disorders. Significant beneficial effects on bowel function parameters were observed in healthy subjects. Chicory-derived inulin-type fructans may have significant bifidogenic effects and may beneficially influence bowel function in healthy individuals. PROSPERO registration number CRD42020162892.
... The European Food Safety Authority reported that around 12 g of inulin per day is necessary in order to maintain a regular bowel transit, without any side effects [19]. Hond et al. [20] demonstrated a significantly higher stool frequency compared to placebo at an inulin intake of 15 g per day. The inulin intake is also effective in improving stool consistency according to Bristol scale, as it reduces stools' hardness, as well as intestinal transit time [15]. ...
(1) Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disease, with multiple pathophysiological mechanisms involved. A single treatment for all the patients with IBS is not possible. Prebiotics may have a beneficial effect on IBS patients with constipation. (2) Methods: A randomized cross-over case-control study was conducted, including patients with IBS and constipation (IBS-C), who were randomized into two groups receiving a specific constipation diet with or without a food supplement containing inulin, choline and silymarin (Stoptoxin®, Fiterman Pharma, Iasi, Romania). Patients were evaluated at baseline, after four and eight weeks, using a questionnaire to assess IBS symptoms. (3) Results: 51 IBS-C patients were included, of which 47 patients finished the trial (33 women, mean age 52.82 years). Adding Stoptoxin® to a diet for constipation brought extra benefits. Abdominal pain severity improved by 68.3% after the diet and Stoptoxin® (p = 0.004) and abdominal bloating severity parameter improved by 34.8% (p = 0.040). The stool number per week and the stool consistency according to the Bristol scale were improved, but without statistical significance between groups (p > 0.05). (4) Conclusions: The combination of inulin, choline and silymarin associated with a specific-constipation diet had obvious clinical beneficial effects on IBS-C patients in terms of bowel movement, abdominal pain and bloating.
... Les chicorées à sucre La chicorée est une source importante de sucres : 180 000 tonnes d'inuline sont extraites des racines de chicorée par an en France. L'inuline, polymère de réserve stocké dans les organes contre les problèmes gastrointestinaux (Den Hond et al., 2000). Cela amènerait même à réduire des risques de cancer des intestins. ...
... This polymer has some typical contributions towards the health of human body by reducing the risk of diseases [14]. Inulin acts as prebiotics due to its nature of inhibiting the growth of pathogenic microorganism and it is used as a potentially treating colon dysfunction as it stimulates the growth of the beneficial bacteria (e.g., biofidobacteria) in the colon [15,16]. Inulin is also effective for its promotion of good digestive health, lipid metabolism, enhancement of mineral bioavailability, reducing growth of cancer and tumor cell growth [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]. ...
Inulin, a carbohydrate based polymer has immense applications in industries of human aids. There are very limited interactive studies on this polymer although there are numerous applications. In the present study, interactions of inulin with different amphiphiles lead to interesting characteristics as identified by various physicochemical methods. Tensiometry, conductometry, isothermal titration calorimetry, turbidimetry, etc. have been employed to characterize the phenomenological changes. Cationic type amphiphiles, e.g., surface active ionic liquid, conventional, and gemini surfactants provide very fruitful interactions. These amphiphiles form small aggregates with the polymer at low concentration, coacervates at moderate concentration and free micelles at higher concentrations of the amphiphiles. Inulin-amphiphiles interaction has been supported by different morphological studies also.
... Inulin has no insoluble fractions and is quickly degraded inside the intestines; therefore, it is less potential to in luence bowel function than grain ibre. Fortunately, inulin has been shown to raise the stool frequency (Gibson et al., 1995;Hond et al., 2000). ...
... Inulin has no insoluble fractions and is quickly degraded inside the intestines; therefore, it is less potential to in luence bowel function than grain ibre. Fortunately, inulin has been shown to raise the stool frequency (Gibson et al., 1995;Hond et al., 2000). ...
... Inulin has no insoluble fractions and is quickly degraded inside the intestines; therefore, it is less potential to in luence bowel function than grain ibre. Fortunately, inulin has been shown to raise the stool frequency (Gibson et al., 1995;Hond et al., 2000). ...
Dietary fibre is the name collectively given to the indigestible carbohydrates present in foods. These carbohydrates consist of cellulose, gum, pectin and mucilage. Enzymes of gastro-intestinal tracts in humans do not digest these fibres. Plants are the only source of dietary fibre. It is found in grains, vegetables and fruits. Dietary fibre helps to keep the digestive system healthy, and it is vital in reducing the risk of diseases such as coronary heart disease, diabetes, diverticulosis, haemorrhoids and intestinal cancer. Undigested fibres enter the large intestine where bacteria ferments them. Carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen and short-chain fatty acids are the by-products of the fermentation. Soluble fibre and resistant starch also serve as prebiotic and supports the necessary probiotic for digestive health. In grapes, peas, beans and barley, much of the soluble fibre is extracted. When dissolved in the water, a gel-like substance is formed. Soluble fibre helps to support the growth of friendly bacteria needed to maintain a healthy intestinal system. They also help in slowing down the time taken by the food to pass through the stomach into the small intestine, which helps to slow down the absorption of glucose and controls the blood sugar levels and helps in managing diabetes mellitus and keeps you feeling fuller for a longer time. The diets with high fibre intakes are known to have beneficial health effects as they have water holding capacity, helps in adsorption of organic molecules and facilitates its excretion, hypoglycemic effects and hypercholesterolemic effect. The inclusion of fibre rich food in weight-reducing diets is found to helpful since it provides a feeling of fullness without consumption of excess calories. The present review discusses the definition, nutritional properties of dietary fibre and therapeutic functions of dietary fibres in health and diseases.
... The incorporation of high fermentable fiber, such as inulin suppresses the proteolytic decomposition and enhances the saccharolytic fermentation indeed. Frequent motion ease and reduced food transit time in the colon also reduce p-cresol biosynthesis [33]. The formation of lactate in the process of metabolism reduces the pH of colon and at the same time decreases the proteolytic capability that reduces the rate of formation of the molecules required for the progression of uremia. ...
... Among these prebiotics, inulin and oligosaccharides are the most studied prebiotics and have been recognized as dietary fibers in most countries. Studies show that inulin and oligosaccharides could enhance stool frequency and weight [97,[172][173][174][175]. Similar to other fermented carbohydrates, prebiotics have mild laxative effects, while it is difficult to demonstrate in human studies because the magnitude of laxation is small [176]. ...
Background: Constipation is a common public health concern experienced by all individuals during their life. It is an effective factor in the quality of life. In this paper, we aimed to provide an overview of the existing evidence regarding the role of food ingredients, including bran, prune, fig, kiwifruit, flaxseed, and olive on constipation treatment.
Scope and approach: We searched Scopus, PubMed, and ScienceDirect by using “laxative foods” and “constipation” for searching studies assessing laxative food ingredients and their beneficial effects on constipation treatment and/or control.
Key finding and conclusion: Lifestyle modifications such as increasing dietary fiber and fluid intake and regular daily exercise are in the first line of proposed treatments for constipation. Optimizing diet as an efficient lifestyle factor may contribute to the well-being of patients. The use of laxative food ingredients including bran, prune, fig, kiwifruit, flaxseed, probiotics, and prebiotics is a convenient alternative to laxatives to overcome constipation. According to the findings, laxative food ingredients could be considered as effective treatments for subjects suffering from constipation. Many studies have assessed the pharmacological and non-pharmacological roles of these ingredients in treating constipation; however, their importance has not been thoroughly investigated.
... Abdominal discomfort, mainly flatulence, was reported rarely, and by only a few patients. A significant increase in stool frequency was observed in healthy volunteers having one stool every 2-3 days by including inulin with DP more than 25 in the diet [51]. ...
Interest in consumption of prebiotics and probiotics to improve human gastrointestinal health is increasing. Consumption of beneficial probiotic bacteria combined with oligosaccharides may enhance colonic bacterial composition and improve internal health. Inulin is a polyfructans which is widely used as prebiotic, sugar replacer, fat replacer and texture modifier. It is a significant ingredient used in food industry by virtue of its diversified nutritional and functional properties. Inulin, cellulose, starch, pectin, carrageenan and xanthan gum are of great attention because of their nutritional and tecchnological properties.The inulin concentration enhances product texture; at high concentration inulin can alter the texture profile of products because of its physico -chemical significance. Inulin may also significantly affect the sensory attributes of many products. The physico-chemical significance of inulin is associated with its degree of polymerization. The short chain fraction of inulin possesses more solubility and also contain much more sweetness than the long chain oligosaccharides. It can improve the mouth feel due to its properties which directly relate with those of other sugars.
... IN is a good choice as J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f a natural prebiotic for elderly people who suffer from constipation due to the fact of improving stool frequency, consistency & hardness and transit time (Yurrita, Martín, Ciudad-Cabañas, Calle-Purón, & Cabria, 2014). As reported, daily can effectively relieve constipation (Ferna´ndez-Ban˜ares, 2006;Gibson et al., 2004); and consumption of every 1 gram of IN results an increase (1.5-2 g) in wet stools (Hond, Geypens, & Ghoos, 2000). ...
Inulin (IN), a fructan-type plant polysaccharide, is widely found in nature. The major plant sources of IN include chicory, Jerusalem artichoke, dahlia etc. Studies have found that IN possessed a wide array of biological activities, e.g. as a prebiotic to improve the intestinal microbe environment, regulating blood sugar, regulating blood lipids, antioxidant, anticancer, immune regulation and so on. Currently, IN is widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industries. IN can be used as thickener, fat replacer, sweetener and water retaining agent in the food industry. IN also can be applied in the pharmaceutics as stabilizer, drug carrier, and auxiliary therapeutic agent for certain diseases such as constipation and diabetes. This paper reviews the physiological functions of IN and its applications in the field of pharmaceutics, analyzes its present research status and future research direction. This review will serve as a one-in-all resource for the researchers who are interested to work on IN.
... However, they are known to have varied prebiotic potential. Inulin has been demonstrated to positively alter gut microbiota in a dose range of 4 to 40 g/d [10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. Whole food sources, such as artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.), chicory (Cichorium intybus) roots, and garlic (Allium sativum) are rich in inulin and dietary fibers. ...
: Background: Prebiotics used as a dietary supplement, stimulate health-related gut microbiota (e.g., bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, etc.). This study evaluated potential prebiotic effects of an artichoke aqueous dry extract (AADE) using in vitro gut model based on the Simulator of Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME®).
Methods:
Short-term colonic fermentations (48 h) of AADE, fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), and a blank were performed. Microbial metabolites were assessed at 0, 6, 24, and 48 h of colonic incubation via measuring pH, gas pressure, lactate, ammonium, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) levels. Community composition was assessed via targeted qPCRs.
Results:
After 24 and 48 h of incubation, bifidobacteria levels increased 25-fold with AADE (p < 0.05) and >100-fold with FOS (p < 0.05) compared to blank. Lactobacillus spp. levels only tended to increase with AADE, whereas they increased 10-fold with FOS. At 6 h, pH decreased with AADE and FOS and remained stable until 48 h; however, gas pressure increased significantly till the end of study. Acetate, propionate, and total SCFA production increased significantly with both at all time-points. Lactate levels initially increased but branched SCFA and ammonium levels remained low till 48 h.
Conclusion:
AADE displayed prebiotic potential by exerting bifidogenic effects that stimulated production of health-related microbial metabolites, which is potentially due to inulin in AADE.
... As discussed by various studies, the ensuing gastrointestinal symptoms are dose-dependent. The results indicate that these fructans are well-tolerated at amounts up to 20 g/day; diarrhoea can develop with intake of 30 g/day or more (Den Hond, 2000). Day by day many functional foods are coming in the market with synbiotics has been studied to a limited extent and needs further investigations. ...
Everybody is aware that pharmaceutical medicines are able to stop
increasing morbidity and mortality rate in chronic diseases. These days’
peoples are much aware of the therapeutic values of different types of
foods like probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics and their role in
prevention of diseases. The market for symbiotic food category
continues to expand with growing consumer awareness about the role of
diet in health maintenance. Probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics are very
interesting field of research because of the increasing use of antibiotics
and bacterial resistance along with interest in ecological methods to
prevent infections. They work to counteract local immunological
dysfunction, to stabilize the intestine barrier function, to prevent
infectious succession of pathogenic microorganisms and to influence
metabolism. At the present time we do not know enough about thestructure–function relationships among oligosaccharides to realize all of
this potential. In addition, we will need innovations in the manufacturing
technology in order to produce more sophisticated synbiotics at prices
that the food industry can afford. Research in this area is currently in
progress.
... Moreover, the dose of each substance in the prebiotic UG1601 might not be sufficient to improve constipation symptoms. Considering previous studies reporting the beneficial effects of each substance in prebiotic supplements [47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56] , adequately powered clinical trials that take into account the dose of bioactives within each substance are needed to develop prebiotics that are effective in relieving constipation-related symptoms. ...
Background:
Constipation is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder and its etiology is multifactorial. Growing evidence suggests that intestinal dysbiosis is associated with the development of constipation. Prebiotics are subjected to bacterial fermentation in the gut to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which can help relieve constipation symptoms. The prebiotic UG1601 consists of inulin, lactitol, and aloe vera gel, which are known laxatives, but randomized, controlled clinical trials that examine the effects of this supplement on gut microbiota composition are lacking.
Aim:
To assess the efficacy of the prebiotic UG1601 in suppressing constipation-related adverse events in subjects with mild constipation.
Methods:
Adults with a stool frequency of less than thrice a week were randomized to receive either prebiotics or a placebo supplement for 4 wk. All participants provided their fecal and blood samples at baseline and at the end of intervention. Gastrointestinal symptoms and stool frequency were evaluated. The concentrations of serum endotoxemia markers and fecal SCFAs were determined. The relative abundance of SCFA-producing bacteria and the gut microbial community in the responders and non-responders in the prebiotics supplementation group were evaluated.
Results:
There were no significant differences in gastrointestinal symptoms between groups, although the prebiotic group showed greater symptom improvement. However, after prebiotic usage, serum cluster of differentiation (CD) 14 and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) concentrations were significantly decreased (CD14, P = 0.012; LPS, P < 0.001). The change in LPS concentration was significantly larger in the prebiotic group than in the placebo group (P < 0.001). Fecal SCFAs concentrations did not differ between groups, while the relative abundance of Roseburia hominis, a major butyrate producer, was significantly increased in the prebiotic group (P = 0.045). The abundances of the phylum Firmicutes and the family Lachnospiraceae (phylum Firmicutes, class Clostridia) (P = 0.009) were decreased in the responders within the prebiotic group. In addition, the proportions of the phylum Firmicutes, the class Clostridia, and the order Clostridiales were inversely correlated with several fecal SCFAs (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Alterations in gut microbiota composition, including a decrease in the phylum Firmicutes and an increase in butyrate-producing bacteria, following prebiotic UG1601 supplementation might help alleviate symptom scores and endotoxemia.
... Among these prebiotics, inulin and oligosaccharides are the most studied prebiotics and have been recognized as dietary fibers in most countries. Studies showed that inulin and oligosaccharides could enhance stool frequency and weight [129][130][131][132][133]. Similar to other fermented carbohydrates, prebiotics have mild laxative effects. ...
Background
Constipation is a common public health concern experienced by all individuals during their life. It is an affective factor on quality of life. In this paper, we aimed to provide an overview of the existing evidences regarding the role of food ingredients, including bran, prune, fig, kiwifruit, and flax-seed on constipation treatment.
Scope and approach
We searched Scopus, Pub Med, and Science Direct by using “laxative foods” and “constipation” for searching studies assessing laxative food ingredients and their beneficial effects on constipation treatment and/or control.
Key finding and conclusion
Lifestyle modifications such as increasing dietary fiber and fluid intake and regular daily exercise are in the first line of proposed treatments for constipation. Optimizing ‘diet’ as an efficient life style factor may contribute to the well-being of patients. The use of laxative food ingredients including bran, prune, fig, kiwifruit, flax-seed, probiotics, and prebiotics are convenient alternatives to laxatives to cope with constipation. According to findings, laxative food ingredients could be considered as effective treatments for subjects suffering from constipation. Many studies have assessed the pharmacological and non-pharmacological roles of these ingredients in treating constipation, however; their importance has not been thoroughly investigated.
... In captive exotic felids, Kerr et al [16] found that the addition of cellulose to raw beef increased faecal output and decreased faecal scores when compared to beet pulp, similar to what we observed in this study with domestic cats. Inulin is known to increase defecation frequency in humans [45] and cellulose is known Dietary fibre in a high protein, high fat diet for domestic cats to decrease intestinal transit time [46] and it appears that, based on these results, they have similar impacts in the domestic cat. ...
Commercial diets high in animal protein and fat are increasingly being developed for pets, however little is understood about the impacts of feeding such diets to domestic cats. The carbohydrate content of these diets is typically low, and dietary fibre is often not included. Dietary fibre is believed to be important in the feline gastrointestinal tract, promoting stool formation and providing a substrate for the hindgut microbiome. Therefore, we aimed to determine the effects of adding plant-based dietary fibre to a high animal protein and fat diet. Twelve domestic short hair cats were fed three complete and balanced diets in a cross-over design for blocks of 21 days: raw meat (Raw), raw meat plus fibre (2%, ‘as is’ inclusion of inulin and cellulose; Raw+Fibre) and a commercially available Kibble diet. A commercially available canned diet was fed for 21 days as a washout phase. Apparent macronutrient digestibility, faecal output, score, pH, organic acid concentrations and bacteriome profiles were determined. Diet significantly affected all faecal parameters measured. The addition of dietary fibre to the raw meat diet was found to reduce apparent macronutrient digestibility, increase faecal output, pH and score. Thirty one bacterial taxa were significantly affected by diet. Prevotella was found to dominate in the Kibble diet, Clostridium and Fusobacterium in the Raw diet, and Prevotella and a group of unclassified Peptostreptococcaceae in the Raw+Fibre diet. Our results show that diets of different macronutrient proportions can strongly influence the faecal microbiome composition and metabolism, as shown by altered organic acid concentrations and faecal pH, in the domestic cat. The addition of 2% of each fibre to the Raw diet shifted faecal parameters closer to those produced by feeding a Kibble diet. These results provide a basis for further research assessing raw red meat diets to domestic cats.
... In addition to context, many carbohydrates also increase the water content of the intestine and the acids produced increase intestinal motility (Den Hond et al., 2000). These two major effects also decrease transit time. ...
Prebiotics plays an important role in improving the growth of gut bacteria and it majorly found in various natural food sources such as fruits and vegetables. Nowadays, the prebiotic sources are added as a supplement in various food products such as dairy products, beverages, health drinks, infant formulae, and meat products. The presence of prebiotics provides various health benefits such as improveing calcium and magnesium absorption, increases bone density, reduces cancer risk, decreases cardiovascular diseases and also improves the immune system.
... Generally, prebiotics are assumed safe as they are found in natural foods. However, animal and human trials have reported that the ensuing gastrointestinal symptoms are dose dependent; and animal model experiments have been carried out to identify possible intolerance of beneficial prebiotics (Den Hond, Geypens, & Ghoos, 2000). Daily ingestion of 2 g/day of XOS, 10 g/day of GOS and at least 4 g FOS/day are required to raise the bifidobacteria levels in the human gut (Manning & Gibson, 2004). ...
Gut flora have a crucial role in metabolizing various nutritional substrates to maintain human health. Several studies on prebiotics and symbiotic have reported to be clinically effective in maintaining the balance of gastrointestinal microbiota to improve health conditions. Therefore, an optimum balance is required in the intestinal microflora of the host. Under certain stress conditions, it may be altered which manifests as gut disorders. Prebiotics from food are the fermentable fiber which selectively feed beneficial bacteria in the intestinal microbiota, to maintain a healthy microbiome environment. Probiotic foods are supplements with live microbes, showing immune-supportive effects in the gastrointestinal tract. However, both pre- and probiotics have been reported to work best in combination. This combined effect of both, results in synbiotics. Prebiotic foodstuff remains unaltered in the gastrointestinal tract, as gastric enzymes cannot act on them. They reach the large intestine intact and are selectively fermented to give beneficial effects. This review focusses on prebiotic foods, their nutritional value, characteristics, safe consumption, therapeutic effects and mechanism of action and their role in synbiotics.
... Experimental studies have demonstrated that inulin and FOS could be positively effective in physiological and biochemical functions and improvement of health. Different health effects have been attributed to inulin including modulation of the immune systems, regulating intestinal flora by stimulating growth of beneficial bacteria and preventing growth of harmful ones, improving constipation, cholesterol lowering effect, enhancing fecal nitrogen excretion and reducing renal excretion of nitrogen, inhibition of breast cancer and reducing the liberation of toxin and carcinogens (Roberfroid, 2007, Kaur and Gupta, 2002, Lomax and Calder, 2009, Buddington et al., 2002, Den Hond et al., 2000, Balcázar-Muñoz et al., 2003, Taper and Roberfroid, 1999. It has been reported that inulin could impart in increasing bone mineral density through improving calcium and magnesium absorption and reduce the risk of osteoporosis (Delzenne et al., 1995, Ohta et al., 1994, Kaur and Gupta, 2002, Roberfroid, 2007. ...
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of different aspects of inulin functionality in meat and poultry products.
Design/methodology/approach
Several studies on the physiochemical, textural and sensorial effects of inulin incorporated in meat and poultry products as fat replacer and texture modifier were reviewed.
Findings
Inulin is a plant-derived carbohydrate composed of fructose units and glucosyl moieties at the end of the chain that exhibits unique nutritional and technological benefits. Among its main healthy characteristics, it has been reported to reduce the risk of colon cancer, arteriosclerosis, osteoporosis, diabetes and obesity, to maintain low levels of triglycerides and cholesterol in serum and stimulate the immune system. As a functional food ingredient, it can be used in various foods as a fat replacer, improves water-holding capacity and emulsion stability, as well as modifying the texture and viscosity of foods. Incorporation of inulin into meat and poultry products can be beneficial in producing low-fat products with desirable texture and sensory attributes.
Originality/value
There are limited reviews regarding the application of inulin in meat and poultry products. In this review, chemical composition and physicochemical properties of inulin, its health effects and various effects of inulin incorporation into meat and poultry products including, physicochemical, textural and sensory characteristics of these products are discussed.
... Further, the ensuing gastrointestinal symptoms are dose-dependent as confirmed by various studies. The results indicated that these fructans are well-tolerated at amounts up to 20 g/d; diarrhea can develop with intake of 30 g/d or more (Briet et al., 1995;Den Hond et al., 2000). The major problem associated with several DFs (such as polydextrose, inilin, and oligofructose) used to fortify food products is gas formation, bloating, and diarrhea in hosts, if used in a large amount. ...
... A recent meta-analysis (J. Cumps, personal communication) of the published data (36,(62)(63)(64)(65) reveals that consuming inulintype fructans significantly (P ¼ 0.008) increases fecal biomass. This also regularizes bowel habit, a classical physiological effect of dietary fiber (36,38). ...
A food (ingredient) is regarded as functional if it is satisfactorily demonstrated to affect beneficially 1 or more target functions in the body beyond adequate nutritional effects. The term inulin-type fructans covers all β(2←1) linear fructans including native inulin (DP 2–60, DPav = 12), oligofructose (DP 2–8, DPav = 4), and inulin HP (DP 10–60, DPav = 25) as well as Synergy 1, a specific combination of oligofructose and inulin HP. Inulin-type fructans resist digestion and function as dietary fiber improving bowel habits. But, unlike most dietary fibers, their colonic fermentation is selective, thus causing significant changes in the composition of the gut microflora with increased and reduced numbers of potentially health-promoting bacteria and potentially harmful species, respectively. Both oligofructose and inulin act in this way and thus are prebiotic: they also induce changes in the colonic epithelium and in miscellaneous colonic functions. In particular, the claim “inulin-type fructans enhance calcium and magnesium absorption” is scientifically substantiated, and the most active product is oligofructose-enriched inulin (Synergy 1). A series of studies furthermore demonstrate that inulin-type fructans modulate the secretion of gastrointestinal peptides involved in appetite regulation as well as lipid metabolism. Moreover, a large number of animal studies and preliminary human data show that inulin-type fructans reduce the risk of colon carcinogenesis and improve the management of inflammatory bowel diseases. Inulin-type fructans are thus functional food ingredients that are eligible for enhanced function claims, but, as more human data become available, risk reduction claims will become scientifically substantiated.
... Abdominal discomfort, mainly flatulence, was reported rarely, and by only a few patients. A significant increase in stool frequency was observed in healthy volunteers having one stool every 2-3 days by including inulin with DP more than 25 in the diet [51]. ...
Interest in consumption of prebiotics and probiotics to improve human gastrointestinal health is increasing. Consumption of beneficial probiotic bacteria combined with oligosaccharides may enhance colonic bacterial composition and improve internal health. Inulin is a polyfructans which is widely used as prebiotic, sugar replacer, fat replacer and texture modifier. It is a significant ingredient used in food industry by virtue of its diversified nutritional and functional properties. Inulin, cellulose, starch, pectin, carrageenan and xanthan gum are of great attention because of their nutritional and tecchnological properties.The inulin concentration enhances product texture; at high concentration inulin can alter the texture profile of products because of its physico-chemical significance. Inulin may also significantly affect the sensory attributes of many products. The physico-chemical significance of inulin is associated with its degree of polymerization. The short chain fraction of inulin possesses more solubility and also contain much more sweetness than the long chain oligosaccharides. It can improve the mouth feel due to its properties which directly relate with those of other sugars.
... Commercial rye bread samples But it should be noted that fructans concentration in products should not exceed 20 g per 100 g -1 dry matter. High intake of fructans can contribute to abdominal discomfort, flatulence but higher than 30 g per day can cause diarrhoea and vomiting (Den Hond et al., 2000). ...
Objectives
Dietary fibers, such as fructooligosaccharide (FOS) and partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) have several gastrointestinal functions. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of acute ingestion of FOS and PHGG on the percentage of gastric emptying and small intestinal transit and to evaluate the effect of these dietary fibers on the levels of intestinal hormones—active glucagon-like peptide-1, pancreatic polypeptide, and gastric inhibitory peptide—and their effect on feelings of hunger and satiety and the desire to eat.
Methods
In this crossover, randomized controlled clinical trial, we compared the effects of these two fibers on gastrointestinal transit. The tests were performed using scintigraphy. On three different days, healthy participants consumed a test meal containing 20 g of digestible maltodextrin (placebo), 20 g of FOS, or 20 g of PHGG.
Results
The gastric emptying of the FOS-based diet (84.2 ± 9.4%) within 2 h was statistically increased compared with the placebo and PHGG-based diets (78 ± 10.2% and 74 ± 15.3%, respectively; P < 0.05). However, a reduction in small intestinal transit was observed after consumption of both FOS- and PHGG-based diets (28.5 ± 15.56% and 24.2 ± 13.7%, respectively) compared with the placebo diet (41.20 ± 15.4%; P < 0.05). There were no changes in the levels of intestinal hormones, feeling of hunger and satiety, or desire to eat after consuming the three diets (P > 0.05).
Conclusion
The acute intake of FOS increased gastric emptying, whereas both FOS and PHGG reduced small intestine transit without altering the levels of intestinal hormones, hunger feelings and satiety, or the desire to eat.
Ethnopharmacological relevance
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Weber ex F. H. Wigg.), as a garden weed grown globally, has long been consumed as a therapeutic herb. Its folkloric uses include treatments of digestive disorders (dyspepsia, anorexia, stomach disorders, gastritis and enteritis) and associate complex ailments involving uterine, liver and lung disorders.
Aim of the study
The present study aims to critically assess the current state of research and summarize the potential roles of dandelion and its constituents in gastrointestinal (GI) -protective actions. A focus is placed on the reported bioactive components, pharmacological activities and modes of action (including molecular mechanisms and interactions among bioactive substances) of dandelion products/preparations and derived active constituents related to GI protection.
Materials and methods
The available information published prior to August 2021 was reviewed via SciFinder, Web of Science, Google Scholar, PubMed, Elsevier, Wiley On-line Library, and The Plant List. The search was based on the ethnomedical remedies, pharmacological activities, bioactive compounds of dandelion for GI protection, as well as the interactions of the components in dandelion with the gut microbiota or biological regulators, and with other ingested bioactive compounds. The key search words were “Taraxacum” and “dandelion”.
Results
T. coreanum Nakai, T. mongolicum and T. officinale are the most commonly used species for folkloric uses, with the whole plant, leaves and root of dandelion being used more frequently. GI-protective substances of dandelion include taraxasterol, taraxerol, caffeic acid, chicoric acid, chlorogenic acid, luteolin and its glucosides, polysaccharides, inulin, and β-sitosterol. Dandelion products and derived constituents exhibit pharmacological effects against GI disorders, mainly including dyspepsia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastritis, small intestinal ulcer, ulcerative colitis, liver diseases, gallstones, acute pancreatitis, and GI malignancy. The underlying molecular mechanisms may include immuno-inflammatory mechanisms, apoptosis mechanism, autophagy mechanism, and cholinergic mechanism, although interactions of dandelion's constituents with GI health-related biological entities (e.g., GI microbiota and associated biological modulators) or other ingested bioactive compounds shouldn't be ignored.
Conclusion
The review reveals some in vivo and in vitro studies on the potential of dandelion derived products as complementary and alternative medicines/therapeutics against GI disorders. The whole herb may alleviate some symptoms related GI immuno-inflammatory basing on the abundant anti-inflammatory and anti-oxide active substances. Dandelion root could be a nontoxic and effective anticancer alternative, owing to its abundant terpenoids and polysaccharides. However, research related to GI protective dandelion-derived products remains limited. Besides the need of identifying bioactive compounds/complexes in various dandelion species, more clinical studies are also required on the metabolism, bioavailability and safety of these substances to support their applications in food, medicine and pharmaceuticals.
Prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics has been shown to enhance calcium absorption, gut and bone health. Probiotics are also known to ferment prebiotics to produce the fermentative substrates such as short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), mainly acetate, butyrate and propionate with the help of beneficial microorganisms in the gut. The expression of these SCFAs has been associated with the inhibition of osteo-clast differentiation and bone resorption both in vitro and in vivo. In this review, we discuss the benefits of SCFAs and ways in which prebiotics and probiotics affect bone health by the reduction of inflammation in the gut and the bone.
Dietary supplementation can modulate the gut microbiota leading to positive effects on host health. This article outlines the most commonly used approaches: prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics and micronutrients. Each section describes the different types of interventions, how they modulate the gut microbiota and scientific evidence on how supplementation affects certain disorders and/or diseases.
Among all the basic flavors, sweet flavors are the most desired ones among human beings. The food industries are trying to lure their customers to have more products although it poses potential health hazards to many of their consumers. Obesity, metabolic disorder, and many other diseases increase due to overconsuming sweeteners. Despite all these problems, sugar consumption is constantly increasing. In the recent past, we have witnessed increased cases of diabetes, obesity, dental problems, and many others. The one reason for all these incidences is the overconsumption of sugar/sweeteners. Therefore, the demand for sugar substitutes and, moreover, natural sweeteners has arisen. Sugar is now an unavoidable food ingredient that the consumers are most concerned about. Therefore, they are looking for a more healthy and natural way to sweeten their tongue. This has led to the study of the best natural sweeteners. There are many plant-derived as well as artificial sweeteners available in the market. This chapter sought to enlist natural sweeteners of nutritive and non-nutritive types. A comparative is also shown for intense sweeteners. The traditional and modern-day sweeteners have some health-related issues, which have also been delivered here.
Prebiotics are nondigestible carbohydrate found abundantly in fruits and vegetables, which play a potential role in maintaining human health. In the intestine, prebiotics selectively enhance the fermentation activity of certain group of beneficial microbes and release short-chain oligosaccharide or fatty acid into the blood stream that consequently reaches the distant organs. Given the prominence of its health benefits, prebiotics have been supplemented in numerous dairy, meat products, and beverages. In addition, it has also been added in food items to improve taste, texture, enhances foam stability, and emulsion. Despite having myriad health benefits, prebiotics with special characteristic features, namely, safety, ease of production, and storage, have been a fascinating candidate in maintaining human health as a replacement in association with probiotics. In this chapter, we made an attempt to exemplify an over view on the mechanism of action of prebiotics in protecting certain human diseases.
Prebiotics are indigestible substances in the upper gastrointestinal tract that
have a positive effect on the health host improvement due to the stimulation of
growth and activity of a group of beneficial bacteria in the colon (probiotics).
Short-chain fructooligosaccharides such as β-glucan fibre, resistant starch,
pectin, inulin and many indigestible carbohydrates are examples of prebiotic
compounds. Inulin is a storage biological polymer composed of D-fructose
molecules with β (1 2) bonds, which at the end has a D-glucose molecule
with α (2 1) bond. Inulin configuration and arrangement of fructose
monomers causes inulin to be indigestible in the human gastrointestinal tract
and Inulin doesn't increase blood sugar levels. Also, inulin has beneficial
effects on the composition of the intestinal flora, minerals absorption, the
combination of blood lipids and the prevention of colon cancer. Inulin
stimulates the growth of health beneficial microorganisms while inhibiting
enteropathogenic bacteria. The beneficial microorganisms ferment inulin and
produce acids including short-chain fatty acids that lower the pH in the colon
and inhibit pathogens. The amount of inulin in different plants varies from 1%
in bananas to more than 15% in chicory root. Fructan-type inulin is found
mainly in a variety of dicotyledonous plants belonging to the genus Astrases,
including chicory, Jerusalem artichoke, artichoke, dandelions and dahlia. The
present study introduces the most common of salutary prebiotic combinations,
especially inulin.
Keywords:
Oligosaccharides, Inulin, Prebiotics, Fibres, Functional foods, Artichoke
RESUMEN La actividad agrícola de Costa Rica es de vital importancia para el desarrollo económico del país. Recientemente, este sector ha incrementado su presencia con los cultivos no tradicionales, como las raíces y tubérculos, dentro de los que destaca el ñame. Todos estos productos, durante el proceso de comercialización, generan productos de rechazo o excedentes, que constituyen la biomasa residual. Esta situación constituye un problema ambiental y económico, que requiere de nuevas estrategias de remediación en las regiones dedicadas a este tipo de actividades. Este trabajo propone la utilización de esa biomasa residual para la obtención de materiales con un valor agregado. Se plantea el uso del ñame Dioscorea alata de rechazo, proveniente de la región Huetar Norte de Costa Rica, para la extracción de fructanas. Las fructanas son polisacáridos de fructosa y forman parte del contenido de fibra dietética del tubérculo, que poseen aplicaciones alimenticias, por ejemplo, como sustitutos de azúcar. El sustrato fue caracterizado, se realizaron análisis de humedad, ceniza, grasa, proteína, solubilidad en agua caliente y fría, así como determinaciones de carbohidratos, que demostraron porcentajes máximos de carbohidratos del 25% y contenido de fibra dietética total en un intervalo de 2,9 a 7,2%. Estos porcentajes están relacionados con el contenido de fructanas, por lo que son valores determinantes en el presente estudio. La investigación permitió el desarrollo de un método de extracción y cuantificación de las fructanas en medio acuoso. Para las extracciones se evaluaron tres factores de extracción: lotes de obtención del sustrato, temperatura y tiempo, aplicando un diseño estadístico para su análisis. Para separar los sólidos insolubles las muestras extraídas se filtraron en tres etapas; se determinó el contenido de inulina en los extractos, realizando una técnica de hidrólisis enzimática, donde primeramente se evaluaron los azúcares simples como la fructosa, glucosa y sacarosa libres en el extracto, mediante la técnica de cromatografía líquida de alta eficiencia. Posteriormente, se realizó un proceso de hidrólisis enzimática utilizando amiloglucosidasa e inulinasa de Aspergillus niger, para determinar por la misma técnica la cantidad de moléculas de fructosa y glucosa provenientes de las inulinas y así poder obtener mediante diferencia la concentración final de las fructanas presentes en cada uno de los ensayos. Los resultados mostraron porcentajes de fructanas para los 24 ensayos realizados en un intervalo de 0,22 a 3,8%. Por último, se realizó una caracterización térmica de las fructanas, donde se determinó que la temperatura de descomposición de las inulinas obtenidas es de 330ºC, por lo que es posible utilizar estos compuestos en procesos alimenticios en los que se utilicen temperaturas inferiores a este valor sin ver afectada la estabilidad térmica de las fructanas. Además, se determinó mediante la técnica de cromatografía de exclusión por tamaño que las fructanas extraídas son de cadena corta, al poseer pesos moleculares de 1.500 Da e inferiores. Se concluyó que es posible extraer, cuantificar y caracterizar las inulinas obtenidas a partir del ñame de rechazo de la zona Huetar Norte de Costa Rica, de la especie Dioscorea alata; con el potencial de utilizarlas para posibles aplicaciones alimenticias gracias a las características prebióticas que poseen estos compuestos. ABSTRACT The agricultural activity of Costa Rica is very important for the economic development of the country. Recently, this sector has increased its presence with non-traditional crops, such as roots and tubers, among which yams stand out. All these products, during the marketing process, generate rejection Revista Iberoamericana de Polímeros Volumen 21(6), Noviembre de 2020 Aguilar et al. Biorefinería de desechos de ñame 281 Rev. Iberoam. Polímeros, 21(6), 280-318 (2020) or surplus products, which constitute the residual biomass. This situation constitutes an environmental and economic problem, which requires new remediation strategies in the regions dedicated to this type of activity. This work proposes the use of this residual biomass to obtain materials with added value. The use of the rejection Dioscorea alata yam, from the Huetar Norte region of Costa Rica, is proposed for the extraction of fructans. Fructans are fructose polysaccharides and are part of the dietary fiber content of the tuber, which have food applications, for example, as sugar substitutes. The substrate was characterized, analysis of moisture, ash, fat, protein, solubility in hot and cold water, as well as carbohydrate determinations, which showed maximum percentages of carbohydrates of 25% and total dietary fiber content in a range of 2.9 to 7.2%. These percentages are related to the fructan content, so they are determining values in the present study. The research allowed the development of a method for the extraction and quantification of fructans in aqueous medium. For the extractions, three extraction factors were evaluated: batches for obtaining the substrate, temperature and time, applying a statistical design for their analysis. To separate insoluble solids, the extracted samples were filtered in three stages. The inulin content in the extracts was determined, using an enzymatic hydrolysis technique, where the simple sugars such as fructose, glucose and sucrose free in the extract were first evaluated by means of the high-efficiency liquid chromatography technique. Subsequently, an enzymatic hydrolysis process was carried out using amyloglucosidase and inulinase from Aspergillus niger, to determine by the same technique the amount of fructose and glucose molecules from inulins and thus be able to obtain by difference the final concentration of fructans present in each one of the essays. The results showed percentages of fructans for the 24 tests carried out in a range of 0.22 to 3.8%. Finally, a thermal characterization of the fructans was carried out, where it was determined that the decomposition temperature of the inulins obtained is 330ºC, so it is possible to use these compounds in food processes in which temperatures lower than this value are used. without affecting the thermal stability of the fructans. Furthermore, it was determined by the size exclusion chromatography technique that the extracted fructans are short chain, having molecular weights of 1,500 Da and lower. It was concluded that it is possible to extract, quantify and characterize the inulins obtained from the rejected yams from the Huetar Norte zone of Costa Rica, of the Dioscorea alata species; with the potential to use them for possible food applications thanks to the prebiotic characteristics that these compounds possess. INTRODUCCIÓN El sector agrícola costarricense se ha caracterizado por la diversidad de especies cultivadas en todas las regiones del territorio, lo que ha permitido el desarrollo de las mismas. Con el paso de los años, con el fin de aumentar la producción y ser más competitivo en los mercados internacionales, se ha especializado no solo en el cultivo de productos tradicionales (cacao, café, banano), sino también en los no tradicionales como cítricos, raíces y tubérculos. El ñame es un tipo de tubérculo (Figura 1), con alto valor nutricional que se produce principalmente en las regiones Norte y Atlántica de Costa Rica. Datos de la Promotora de Comercio Exterior de Costa Rica PROCOMER muestran que para el año 2014 las exportaciones de ñame costarricense alcanzaron la cantidad de 16.253 toneladas métricas, similar a la cantidad exportada para los años del 2009 al 2013, lo que implica que la cantidad de ñame que exporta Costa Rica se ha mantenido constante durante los últimos años, mostrando un crecimiento a partir del año 2010. Las exportaciones de ñame en el 2014 llegaron a ser de 14,9 millones de dólares, las cuales han sido dirigidas a más de 12 países, donde los principales destinos son Estados Unidos y países del Caribe como Puerto Rico [1-7]. Revista Iberoamericana de Polímeros Volumen 21(6), Noviembre de 2020 Aguilar et al. Biorefinería de desechos de ñame 282 Rev. Iberoam. Polímeros, 21(6), 280-318 (2020) Las actividades agroindustriales generan gran cantidad de residuos, aquellos que son biodegradables, corresponden a las hojas y los productos de rechazo, además generan otros desechos del tipo ordinario, que en su mayoría son perjudiciales para el medio ambiente. En Costa Rica, la empresa Productos Agropecuarios VISA S.A., la cual es una de las principales exportadoras de ñame en el país, reporta que el porcentaje de producto de rechazo se encuentra alrededor del 20 y 30% del total de la producción, el cual corresponde aproximadamente a 10.000 toneladas métricas anuales para los años más recientes. Este tipo de desechos son ricos en biopolímeros naturales como la celulosa y las macromoléculas como la lignina [1-5], así como almidones, y azúcares como la glucosa y la fructuosa. De este último puede ser obtenido las fructanas. Fructanas. Por definición, fructana es el nombre general para los polisacáridos de fructosa, los cuales forman parte de la fibra y de los polisacáridos no amiláceos de las plantas. Estos compuestos son llamados también polifructosilfructosas [9, 15,16]. Las fructanas son, además, cualquier compuesto que está constituido por uno o más enlaces fructosil-fructosa [17]. Si bien el almidón es la forma más común en la que los cereales como el maíz, el trigo y algunos tubérculos como la papa y la yuca, almacenan glucosa como fuente de energía, un amplio número de plantas (15% de las plantas superiores) son productoras de fructanos en cantidades significativas, mediante la síntesis de inulina o de levana, los cuales son los dos tipos de fructanas más abundantes en la naturaleza [15, 16]. La inulina fue aislada por primera vez a partir de Inula helenium por Rose, un científico alemán en 1804 [19]. Figura 1. Tubérculo de ñame (Dioscorea alata). En las plantas, las fructanas se presentan mayoritariamente en las partes aéreas de los sembradíos de Gramineae o Poaceae, familia a la cual pertenece la cebada y el trigo; además son encontradas en la familia de la Amaryllidaceae (puerro, cebolla y ajo) y Asteraceae (achicoria, diente de león, alcachofa y yacón) entre otras [19]. Otros estudios han demostrado que las inulinas Revista Iberoamericana de Polímeros Volumen 21(6), Noviembre de 2020 Aguilar et al. Biorefinería de desechos de ñame 283 Rev. Iberoam. Polímeros, 21(6), 280-318 (2020) están presentes en agaves (Agave tequilana weber variedad azul) [20], y en algunos otros tubérculos y raíces dentro los cuales se encuentra el ñame (Dioscorea spp.) [21]. En la Tabla 1 se presenta el contenido aproximado de inulina en algunas plantas comestibles [22].
Inulin (INU) is a flexible, fructan type polysaccharide carbohydrate, mainly obtained from the root of chicory. It is a water-soluble dietary fibre and has been recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for improving the nutritional values of food products. INU is not digested or fermented in the initial portion of the human digestive system and directly reaches on the distal portion of the colon. Owing to this superior property, INU is specially applied to develop specific carrier systems for localized delivery of drugs related to colon diseases. Several studies proved that the fermented bi-products of INU help the growth and stimulating activity of colon bacteria e.g. Bifidobacterium and Lactobacilli. INU also has several inherent therapeutic effects like reduction of tumor risks, help in calcium ion absorption, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties etc. Apart from these, INU has been used for different pharmaceutical applications as a drug carrier, stabilizing agent, cryoprotectant, and an alternative to fats and sugars. Here, we review the applications of INU in different areas of biomedical science, look back into the nutritional effects of INU and outline various routes of administration of INU-based formulations.
The present review is focused on the prebiotic impact of inulin on the management of the gastrointestinal disorder. Prebiotics can be described as "non-digestible food ingredient stimulating the growth of a certain number of bacteria in the colon, which can improve the host health". In 2004 this definition was modernized to include other areas that may benefit from selective targeting of particular microorganisms: "selectively fermented ingredients that alter the configuration and activity in the gastrointestinal microbiota that confer positive effect". The positive impact of prebiotics in experimental colitis and human inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has already been established. Prebiotics shows a positive effect in the prevention of IBD by modulating the trophic functions of the flora. Inulin enhances the growth of indigenous lactobacilli and/or bifidobacteria by inducing colonic production of short chain fatty acids (SCFA's) and these properties are related to decreased mucosal lesion scores and diminished mucosal inflammation. Inulin shows a positive approach to retain microbial populations and to support epithelial barrier function by their prebiotic effect which helps in the host defense against invasion and pathogens translocation (endogenous and/or exogenous) and in the inhibition of gastrointestinal diseases and this impact should be verified in further clinical studies. In the present review, we discussed the positive effect of prebiotics in rat IBD models and in human subjects along with their potential protective mechanisms. Preclinical and clinical data revealed that the gut mucosal barrier would be improved by the use of prebiotics in IBD.
The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the effects of β-fructan supplementation on bowel function in healthy volunteers and patients. The search process was based on the selection of publications listed in the Pubmed and EUPMC database until December 2017, plus two unpublished studies, to identify studies evaluating the impact of β-fructans on bowel movement and stool parameters. Forty-seven publications were selected for inclusion. Primary parameter was frequency of bowel movements, evaluated by the number of defecations per day during the study period. Secondary outcomes were stool consistency, stool dry and wet weights, and transit time. Short-chain (DP < 10) β-fructans contributed to increased stool frequency (0.36 defecation +/− 0.06 per day; p < 0.001), while no significant effect was reported with long-chain (DP ≥ 10) β-fructans (−0.03 +/− 0.11, p = 0.82). A minimal increase in stool wet weight was also statistically demonstrated with short-chain β-fructans. Moreover, the meta-analysis highlighted significant differences in stool consistency in contrast to fecal dry weight after β-fructan supplementation. This systematic review and meta-analysis indicates that short-chain β-fructan supplementation has a positive effect on bowel function by significantly increasing the frequency of bowel movements.
Inulin, a non-digestible carbohydrate, is a fructan that has been part of our daily diet for some centuries and naturally occurs in many plants as storage carbohydrate. It is present for example in leeks, onions, garlic, wheat, chicory.
A low dietary fibre intake has been linked to gastro-intestinal symptoms and impaired regularity. Inulin-type fructans are prebiotic dietary fibres, naturally occurring in many food plants including chicory roots with its high content as most common source for extraction. Inulin-type fructans and their digestive health benefits have been the subject for comprehensive research since many years. Due to the ?-configuration of its glycosidic bond, inulin-type fructans are resistant to hydrolysis by human digestive enzymes, reach the large intestine essentially complete and are selectively fermented and utilized by the gut microbiota. Thereby, inulin-type fructans are among the very few established and scientifically proven prebiotics. The beneficial physiological effect of chicory inulin on bowel function in the general population has been the subject of an Article 13.5 health claim application by BENEO leading to a positive scientific opinion by the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) in 2015. Following scientific approval the EU Commission authorised a corresponding health claim for 'native chicory inulin' with proprietary use for BENEO's Orafti Inulin. This has been the first authorised health claim for a prebiotic fibre and is one of only few examples of approved health claims for dietary fibre according to the EU Nutrition and Health Claim Regulation.
The temporal lobe is a morphological specialization of primates resulting from an expansion of higher-order visual cortex that is a hallmark of the primate brain. Among primates, humans possess a temporal lobe that has significantly expanded. Several uniquely human cognitive abilities, including language comprehension, semantic memory, and aspects of conceptual processing, are represented in the temporal lobe. Understanding how the temporal lobe has been modified and reorganized in the human lineage is crucial to understanding how it supports human cognitive specializations. Identifying these structural modifications requires a direct comparison with other primates, with special attention to our closest relatives, the chimpanzees. Comparative examination of data from architectonics, tract tracing, and newer imaging methodologies suggests modifications to external morphology (gyri and sulci), preferential expansion of association areas, and elaboration of white matter fasciculi, distinguishing the human temporal lobe from those of Old World monkeys. Chimpanzees and humans share some of these features of cortical expansion, although more research is needed in order to elucidate whether humans possess simply a large hominoid temporal lobe or whether important reorganization has happened since our divergence from chimpanzees.
Inulin as a heterogeneous blend of fructose polymers is diversely found in nature primarily as storage carbohydrates in plants. Besides, inulin is believed to induce certain techno-functional and associated properties in food systems. Inulin owing to its foam forming ability has been successfully used as fat replacer in quite a wide range of products as dairy and baked products. Furthermore, it is known to impart certain nutritional and therapeutic benefits that extend apart to improve health and reduce the risk of many lifestyle related diseases. Additionally, as a functional ingredient, Inulin has been adopted in various efficacy studies involving animal and human studies to function as a prebiotic, in promoting good digestive health, influencing lipid metabolism and has some beneficial roles in ensuring optimum levels of glucose and insulin. This review article is an attempt to present a comprehensive overview on both techno-functional and therapeutic potential of inulin.
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate whether laxatives and fiber therapies improve symptoms and bowel movement frequency in adults with chronic constipation.
DATA SOURCES:
English language studies were identified from computerized MEDLINE (1966-1995), Biological Abstracts (1990-1995), and Micromedex searches; bibliographies; textbooks; laxative manufacturers; and experts.
STUDY SELECTION:
Randomized trials of laxative or fiber therapies lasting more than 1 week that evaluated clinical outcomes in adults with chronic constipation
MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:
Two independent reviewers appraised each trial's characteristics including methodologic quality. There were 36 trials involving 1,815 persons from a variety of settings including clinics, hospitals and nursing homes. Twenty-three trials were 1 month or less in duration. Several laxative and fiber preparations were evaluated. Twenty trials had a placebo, usual care, or discontinuation of laxative control group, and 16 directly compared different agents. Laxatives and fiber increased bowel movement frequency by an overall weighted average of 1.4 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-1.8) bowel movements per week. Fiber and bulk laxatives decreased abdominal pain and improved stool consistency compared with placebo. Most nonbulk laxative data concerning abdominal pain and stool consistency were inconclusive, though cisapride, lactulose, and lactitol improved consistency. Data concerning superiority of various treatments were inconclusive. No severe side effects for any of the therapies were reported.
CONCLUSIONS:
Both fiber and laxatives modestly improved bowel movement frequency in adults with chronic constipation. There was inadequate evidence to establish whether fiber was superior to laxatives or one laxative class was superior to another.
Oligofructose and inulin are naturally occurring indigestible carbohydrates. In vitro they selectively stimulate the growth of species of Bifidobacterium, a genus of bacteria considered beneficial to health. This study was designed to determine their effects on the large bowel microflora and colonic function in vivo.
Eight subjects participated in a 45-day study during which they ate controlled diets. For the middle 15 days, 15 g.day-1 oligofructose was substituted for 15 g.day-1 sucrose. Four of these subjects went on to a further period with 15 g.day-1 inulin. Bowel habit, transit time, stool composition, breath H2 and CH4, and the predominant genera of colonic bacteria were measured.
Both oligofructose and inulin significantly increased bifidobacteria from 8.8 to 9.5 log10 g stool-1 and 9.2 to 10.1 log10 g stool-1, respectively, whereas bacteroides, clostridia, and fusobacteria decreased when subjects were fed oligofructose, and gram-positive cocci decreased when subjects were fed inulin. Total bacterial counts were unchanged. Fecal wet and dry matter, nitrogen, and energy excretion increased with both substrates, as did breath H2. Little change in fecal short-chain fatty acids and breath CH4 was observed.
A 15-g.day-1 dietary addition of oligofructose or inulin led to Bifidobacterium becoming the numerically predominant genus in feces. Thus, small changes in diet can alter the balance of colonic bacteria towards a potentially healthier microflora.
Permeability tests are widely used to investigate the pathogenesis of various gastrointestinal diseases including coeliac disease, infectious diarrhoea, and inflammatory bowel disease. In Crohn's disease they are used as activity parameters by some investigators. Lack of standardisation, however, makes it very difficult to compare data reported in different studies. The aim of this study was to gather permeation data in well controlled test conditions to standardise the methods. Nine healthy volunteers each received five consecutive permeability tests by mouth using polyethylene glycol-400 (PEG-400) and 51Cr-EDTA as probe molecules. The probes were dissolved in water, a glucose solution, a starch solution, a hyperosmolar lactulose-mannitol solution, and a liquid meal. A significantly decreased permeation for both probes was found when given with the hyperosmolar solution. The 51Cr-EDTA permeation was also decreased with water. The permeability index, 51Cr-EDTA/PEG-400, corrected for influencing factors, confirmed that the lactulose-mannitol solution and plain water yield lower values of macro-molecule permeation than starch, glucose or liquid meal. Hyperosmolarity was clearly accompanied by a decrease in permeability probably caused by reversed solvent drag. Interindividual variability of probe permeation and permeability index is very low with a standard liquid meal. It is proposed that for permeability studies a standard liquid meal is always used.
This paper results from the final phase of the ENDO project (DGXII AIRII-CT94-1095), a European Commission-funded project on non-digestible oligosaccharides (NDO). All participants in the programme met to perform a consensus exercise on the possible functional food properties of NDO. Topics studied during the project (including a workshop on probiotics and prebiotics) and related aspects, for which considerable evidence has been generated recently, were evaluated on the basis of existing published scientific evidence. There was a general consensus that: (1) there is strong evidence for a prebiotic effect of NDO in human subjects. A prebiotic effect was defined as a food-induced increase in numbers and/or activity predominantly of bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria in the human large intestine; (2) there is strong evidence for the impact that NDO have on bowel habit; (3) there is promising evidence that consumption of inulin-type fructans may result in increased Ca absorption in man; (4) there are preliminary indications that inulin-type fructans interact with the functioning of lipid metabolism; (5) there is preliminary evidence in experimental animals of a preventive effect against colon cancer. Human nutrition studies are needed to substantiate these findings. It was concluded that the nutritional properties of NDO may prove to be a key issue in nutritional research in the future.
Dietary fibers are a necessary part of human nutrition. Inulin is a fermentable fiber that improves bacterial ecology in the large bowel and is also a relevant substrate for short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical effect of inulin, added as dietary fiber into the fiber-free enteral nutrition (Nutrition Standard). Inulin (30-35 g/d) was administered for 1 wk to a group of patients requiring the nutritional support of a liquid enteral diet. A significant increase in flatulence, an indication of rapid bacterial fermentation, was apparent during its infusion in comparison with a fiber-free enteral diet. Moreover, an increment in ability to dehydrate the cecal stream (stool consistency) was apparent in nearly half of patients. No changes in SCFA concentration in stool and indican output in urine were apparent after 1 wk of inulin administration. Intestinal permeability (51Cr-EDTA absorption test) was not influenced by either enteral nutrition or inulin and enteral nutrition administration. Because of good tolerance inulin seems to be a potential source of dietary fiber in clinical enteral nutrition.
To determine total fecal bile acids, these are extracted with diethyl ether after boiling with a solution of potassium hydroxide in ethanediol. After evaporating the ether and dissolving the residue in methanol, the bile acids are directly determined with 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Values for 9 normals are given.
The aim of the present study was to develop a dual-carbon-labeled breath test for simultaneously measuring gastric emptying rates of liquids and solids with significantly less radiation burden to the patient than the radioscintigraphic technique.
A test meal was used in which the liquid phase was labeled with two markers, i.e., 3.7 MBq of 111In-DTPA and 100 mg of 13C-glycine; the solid phase also was dually labeled with 110 MBq of 99mTc-albumin colloid and 74 kBq of 14C-octanoic acid. Simultaneous radioscintigraphic and breath-test measurements were performed in 27 subjects, 10 normal controls and 17 patients with dyspeptic symptoms. Mathematic analysis of the excretion rate of labeled CO2 allowed the definition of four parameters, i.e., the gastric emptying coefficient, the gastric half-emptying time, the peak excretion time and the lag phase.
There was a good to excellent correlation between the gastric emptying coefficient and the scintigraphic half-emptying time (r = 0.74 for liquids and r = 0.88 for solids), between the half-emptying time determined by breath test and the scintigraphic half-emptying time (r = 0.91 for liquids and r = 0.92 for solids), between the peak excretion time and the scintigraphic half-emptying time (r = 0.91 for liquids and r = 0.96 for solids) and between the lag phase of solid emptying determined by both techniques (r = 0.89).
The dual carbon-labeled breath test is a valid, minimally invasive technique to measure the gastric emptying rate of both liquids and solids.
The classic definitions of inulin and oligofructose are constructively criticized. It is observed that inulin cannot unequivocally be described as a polydisperse 1-kestose-based (GFn) beta (2-->1) linear fructan chain, but that inulin always contains small amounts of Fm and branched molecules. This review article describes the presence of inulin and oligofructose in common foodstuffs. Historical data on human consumption add an extra dimension. Modern analytical techniques (HPLC, LGC, HPAEC-PAD) are used to check the variety of data mentioned in the literature throughout the past century. Methods to determine inulin and oligofructose in natural foodstuffs (cereals, fruit, and vegetables) are optimized and used to determine the loss of inulin during storage and during preparation of the food. These findings allow quantification of the amount of inulin and oligofructose in the average daily western diet. The daily per capita intake is estimated to range from 1 to 10 g, depending on geographic, demographic, and other related parameters (age, sex, season, etc.). Inulin and oligofructose are not measured by classic methods of dietary fiber analysis and consequently are often not mentioned in food tables. Their significant contribution (1 to 10 g/d/per capita) to the dietary fiber fraction (recommended at 25 g/d/per capita) is not taken into account in any nutritional recommendations. In view of this, inulin and oligofructose deserve more attention, both in food composition tables and in diet or nutrition studies.
To evaluate whether laxatives and fiber therapies improve symptoms and bowel movement frequency in adults with chronic constipation.
English language studies were identified from computerized MEDLINE (1966-1995). Biological Abstracts (1990-1995), and Micromedex searches; bibliographies; textbooks; laxative manufactures; and experts.
Randomized trials of laxative or fiber therapies lasting more than 1 week that evaluated clinical outcomes in adults with chronic constipation.
Two independent reviewers appraised each trial's characteristics including methodologic quality. There were 36 trials involving 1,815 persons from a variety of settings including clinics, hospitals and nursing homes. Twenty-three trials were 1 month or less in duration. Several laxative and fiber preparations were evaluated. Twenty trials had a placebo, usual care, or discontinuation of laxative control group, and 16 directly compared different agents. Laxatives and fiber increased bowel movement frequency by an overall weighted average of 1.4 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-1.8) bowel movements per week. Fiber and bulk laxatives decreased abdominal pain and improved stool consistency compared with placebo. Most nonbulk laxative data concerning abdominal pain and stool consistency were inconclusive, though cisapride, lactulose, and lactitol improved consistency. Data concerning superiority of various treatments were inconclusive. No severe side effects for any of the therapies were reported.
Both fiber and laxatives modestly improved bowel movement frequency in adults with chronic constipation. There was inadequate evidence to establish whether fiber was superior to laxatives or one laxative class was superior to another.
Constipation is an ailment encountered often in elderly people. A study was initiated to test the effects of lactose or inulin on the bowel habits of constipated elderly patients and to correlate these effects with several variables measured in feces such as microflora composition, concentration of lactate and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), pH, and the activities of beta-glucosidase and beta-glucuronidase, Groups of 15 and 10 patients received lactose and inulin, respectively, for a period of 19 d. The dose, 20 g/d from days 1 to 8, was gradually increased to 40 g/d from days 9 to 11 and was kept at this dose from days 12 to 19. There was considerable interindividual variations with this kind of dietary intervention. Inulin increased bifidobacteria significantly from 7.9 to 9.2 log10/g dry feces, but decreased enterococci in number and enterobacteria in frequency. In individuals consuming lactose, a noticeable increase in fecal counts of enterococci and a decrease in lactobacilli and clostridia was detected. Total bacterial counts remained unchanged. No changes in the concentrations of fecal SCFAs and lactate were observed. SCFAs showed a slight trend toward higher molar ratios of acetate to butyrate in response to the intake of lactose or inulin. The fecal pH and the beta-glucosidase and beta-glucuronidase activities were not influenced by sugar intake. Inulin showed a better laxative effect than lactose and reduced functional constipation with only mild discomfort.
Research data on the bifidogenic effect of beta(2-1)fructans, which at present are commercialized in the U.S., Japan and Europe as food ingredients, are presented. These food ingredients originate from two different sources. Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides are synthesized from sucrose and are composed of GFn [n beta(2-1) linked fructose moieties bound to a glucose molecule; 2 </= n </= 4]. The longer chain length molecule inulin is extracted with hot water from chicory roots (Cichorium intybus) and is also composed of GFn molecules (with 2 < n < 60). Oligofructose is a partial hydrolysate of inulin and is composed of GFn and Fm molecules (n and m indicate the number of fructose moieties with 2 </= n, m </= 7). All types of beta(2-1)fructans are well fermented by intestinal bacteria. For a given chain length, there is no difference in fermentation rate between GFn- and Fm-type beta-fructans. In vitro fermentation of inulin revealed that molecules with a chain length (degree of polymerization or DP) > 10 are fermented on average half as quickly as molecules with a DP < 10. All beta(2-1)fructans are bifidogenic and classified as biobiotics.
Orocaecal transit time: the lactose-13C-ureïd breath test shows a good correlation with scintigraphy
- Geypens
Selective stimulation of bifidobacteria in the human colon by oligofructose and inulin
- Gibson