title: Gastrointestinal tolerance to an inulin-rich soluble roasted chicory extract after consumption in healthy subjects.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Naturalpha SAS, Loos, France.
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ripoll
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Flourié
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Megnien
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hermand
authors.forename: Myriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Janssens
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D003069:Coffee; D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013395:Sucrose; D007444:Inulin