| Summary: | 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.
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