title: Consuming foods with added oligofructose improves stool frequency: a randomised trial in healthy young adults.
abstract: The impact of oligofructose (OF) intake on stool frequency has not been clearly substantiated, while significant gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms have been reported in some individuals. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of OF on stool frequency and GI symptoms in healthy adults. In an 8-week, randomised, double-blind, parallel-arm study, ninety-eight participants were provided with 16 g OF in yogurt and snack bars (twenty male and thirty female) or matching control foods (seventeen male and thirty-one female), to incorporate, by replacement, into their usual diets. Participants completed a daily online questionnaire recording stool frequency and rating four symptoms: bloating, flatulence, abdominal cramping and noise, each on a Likert scale from '0' for none (no symptoms) to '6' for very severe, with a maximum symptom intensity score of 24 (sum of severities from all four symptoms). Online 24 h dietary recalls were completed during pre-baseline and weeks 4, 6 and 8 to determine fibre intake. When provided with OF foods, fibre intake increased to 24·3 (sem 0·5) g/d from pre-baseline (12·1 (sem 0·5) g/d; P < 0·001). Stool frequency increased with OF from 1·3 (sem 0·2) to 1·8 (sem 0·2) stools per d in males and 1·0 (sem 0·1) to 1·4 (sem 0·1) stools per d in females during intervention weeks compared with pre-baseline (P < 0·05),but did not change for control participants (males: 1·6 (sem 0·2) to 1·8 (sem 0·2); females: 1·3 (sem 0·1) to 1·4 (sem 0·1)). Flatulence was the most commonly reported symptom. Mean GI symptom intensity score was higher for the OF group (3·2 (sem 0·3)) v. control (1·7 (sem 0·1)) (P < 0·01), with few participants reporting above moderate symptoms. No change in symptom intensity occurred over time. Consuming yogurt and snack bars with 16 g OF improves regularity in young healthy adults. However, GI symptoms, resulting from an increase in oligofructose intake, may not diminish with time.
authors.affiliation: Food Science and Human Nutrition Department , University of Florida , 359 FSHN Building, Newell Drive, Gainesville, FL 32611 , USA.
authors.forename: Wendy J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Dahl
authors.affiliation: Food Science and Human Nutrition Department , University of Florida , 359 FSHN Building, Newell Drive, Gainesville, FL 32611 , USA.
authors.forename: Arnelle R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.affiliation: Food Science and Human Nutrition Department , University of Florida , 359 FSHN Building, Newell Drive, Gainesville, FL 32611 , USA.
authors.forename: Gretchen J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Specht
authors.affiliation: MCC Statistical Consulting LLC , 2219 NW 23rd Terrace, Gainesville, FL 32605 , USA.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Christman
authors.affiliation: Food Science and Human Nutrition Department , University of Florida , 359 FSHN Building, Newell Drive, Gainesville, FL 32611 , USA.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mathews
authors.affiliation: Sensus B.V. , PO Box 1308, 4700 BH Roosendaal , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Diederick
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.affiliation: General Mills Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition , 9000 Plymouth Avenue North, Golden Valley, MN 55427 , USA.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Boileau
authors.affiliation: General Mills Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition , 9000 Plymouth Avenue North, Golden Valley, MN 55427 , USA.
authors.forename: Holly J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Willis
authors.affiliation: Food Science and Human Nutrition Department , University of Florida , 359 FSHN Building, Newell Drive, Gainesville, FL 32611 , USA.
authors.forename: Bobbi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Langkamp-Henken
keywords: Fibre; Gastrointestinal symptoms; Oligofructose; Stool frequency