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Jerusalem artichoke and chicory inulin in bakery products affect faecal microbiota of healthy volunteers.

  • 2007-09
  • The British journal of nutrition 98(3)
    • Brigitta Kleessen
    • Sandra Schwarz
    • Anke Boehm
    • H Fuhrmann
    • A Richter
    • T Henle
    • Monika Krueger

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population
Forty-five volunteers
Methods
double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study; snack bars with CH or JA or placebo; 7 d run-in, 7 d adaptation (one bar/day), then 14 d with two bars/day
Blinding
Double-blind
Duration
21 d
Funding
Unclear
A study was conducted to test the effects of Jerusalem artichoke inulin (JA) or chicory inulin (CH) in snack bars on composition of faecal microbiota, concentration of faecal SCFA, bowel habit and gastrointestinal symptoms. Forty-five volunteers participated in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. At the end of a 7 d run-in period, subjects were randomly assigned to three groups of fifteen subjects each, consuming either snack bars with CH or JA, or snack bars without fructans (placebo); for 7 d (adaptation period), they ingested one snack bar per day (7.7 g fructan/d) and continued for 14 d with two snack bars per day. The composition of the microbiota was monitored weekly. The consumption of CH or JA increased counts of bifidobacteria (+1.2 log10 in 21 d) and reduced Bacteroides/Prevotella in number and the Clostridium histolyticum/C. lituseburense group in frequency at the end of intervention (P < 0.05). No changes in concentration of faecal SCFA were observed. Consumption of snack bars resulted in a slight increase in stool frequency. Stool consistency was slightly affected in subjects consuming two snack bars containing CH or JA per day (P < 0.05). Consumption of CH or JA resulted in mild and sometimes moderate flatulence in a few subjects compared to placebo (P < 0.05). No structural differences were detected between CH and JA before and after processing. In conclusion, adaptation on increased doses of CH or JA in bakery products stimulates the growth of bifidobacteria and may contribute to the suppression of potential pathogenic bacteria.

Research Insights

  • Chicory→Improved Bowel Movement Frequency

    Consumption of snack bars resulted in a slight increase in stool frequency.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    7.7 g fructan/d for 7 days then 15.4 g fructan/d for 14 days
  • Chicory→Improved Stool Consistency

    Stool consistency was slightly affected in subjects consuming two snack bars containing CH or JA per day (P < 0.05).

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    7.7 g fructan/d for 7 days then 15.4 g fructan/d for 14 days
  • Chicory→Increased Bifidobacteria Count

    The consumption of CH or JA increased counts of bifidobacteria (+1.2 log10 in 21 d)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Large
    Dose
    7.7 g fructan/d for 7 days then 15.4 g fructan/d for 14 days
  • Chicory→Reduced Bacteroides/Prevotella Count

    and reduced Bacteroides/Prevotella in number and the Clostridium histolyticum/C. lituseburense group in frequency at the end of intervention (P < 0.05)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    7.7 g fructan/d for 7 days then 15.4 g fructan/d for 14 days
  • Chicory→Reduced Clostridium histolyticum Frequency

    reduced Bacteroides/Prevotella in number and the Clostridium histolyticum/C. lituseburense group in frequency at the end of intervention (P < 0.05)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    7.7 g fructan/d for 7 days then 15.4 g fructan/d for 14 days
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