title: Ability of a high-total antioxidant capacity diet to increase stool weight and bowel antioxidant status in human subjects.
abstract: There is limited knowledge about the possible effect of unabsorbed dietary antioxidants that reach the large intestine on bowel habits. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether a dietary recommendation directed to increase diet total antioxidant capacity (TAC) is able to affect gut function in human subjects. In this cross-over intervention, nineteen subjects followed a high-TAC (HT) and a low-TAC (LT) diet for 2 weeks, which were comparable for energy, macronutrient, total dietary fibre and alcohol contents. At the end of each intervention period, the 48 h stool output was recorded. In the faecal samples obtained from a subset of nine subjects, moisture, pH, ammonia content, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium counts, faecal water antioxidants and genotoxicity were measured. A 3 d weighed food record was used to assess the diet composition during HT and LT diet intake. Significant increases in the intake of TAC, vitamins E and C and phenolic compounds were observed during the HT diet intake. The higher intake of antioxidants led to increased 48 h stool output (324 (SD 38) g in HT v. 218 (SD 22) g in LT), and to higher TAC and total phenolic concentrations in faecal water. No significant variation in the other measured parameters was observed between the diets. In conclusion, a diet selected to raise the intake of dietary antioxidants is able to increase stool bulk and antioxidant content of faeces.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, University of Parma, Via Volturno 39, 43100 Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Marta A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Scazzina
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Del Rio
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Valtueña
authors.forename: Nicoletta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pellegrini
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Franzini
authors.forename: Maria Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Callegari
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pellacani
authors.forename: Annamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Buschini
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zavaroni
authors.forename: Furio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Brighenti
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004032:Diet; D005243:Feces; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants