Gastrointestinal tolerance to an inulin-rich soluble roasted chicory extract after consumption in healthy subjects.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to assess in healthy subjects 1) the effect of two doses of a new naturally inulin-rich soluble chicory extract (IRSCE) on overall gastrointestinal discomfort after short-term ingestion and 2) the effect on gastrointestinal symptoms of long-term consumption of IRSCE administered at a dose compatible with its future commercial use.


METHODS
First, the effect of IRSCE was assessed on overall gastrointestinal discomfort in a double-blind, crossover study where 18 subjects received in a randomized order a morning coffee drink including 10 g of sucrose alone (control period) or with IRSCE at two doses (8.9 and 14.0 g containing 5.0 and 7.8 g of inulin, respectively) during three consecutive 6-d periods. Second, 35 subjects were followed during a randomized, double-blind protocol where they were asked to take twice a day an instant coffee drink containing IRSCE (8.1 g/d containing inulin 5.0 g/d) or sucrose 8.1 g/d during 4 wk. The effects of the treatment on flatulence, bloating, abdominal pain, stool consistency, and number were recorded.


RESULTS
In the first study a significant slight increase (P = 0.05) in overall abdominal discomfort was observed with the morning coffee drink containing 7.8 g of inulin after 1 wk of consumption. In the second study, no significant differences between the IRSCE and placebo groups were evidenced with respect to gastrointestinal symptoms during the consumption period.


CONCLUSIONS
Short- and long-term consumptions of IRSCE, given at a daily dose containing 5 g of inulin, are well tolerated by healthy subjects.
Ripoll
Christophe
C
Naturalpha SAS, Loos, France.
Flourié
Bernard
B
Megnien
Sophie
S
Hermand
Olivier
O
Janssens
Myriam
M
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018651:Cichorium intybus / Q000737:chemistry*; D003069:Coffee; D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005243:Feces; D005260:Female; D005414:Flatulence / Q000139:chemically induced; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D007444:Inulin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012016:Reference Values; D013395:Sucrose; D055815:Young Adult
D003069:Coffee; D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013395:Sucrose; D007444:Inulin