Fibre consumption increases beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiome

Published: 5-Sep-2016

Research team sought to understand more about how bacteria in the gut function when fibre is part of a regular diet


In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers investigated the impact of dietary fibre supplementation on the faecal microbiome of healthy adults.

Performed at the University of Illinois, the study is the first to examine how supplementation with two different forms of dietary fibre affects the function of the faecal microbiome and how the gut’s micro-organisms evolve.

The study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial performed on 21 healthy adult men who were randomised into three groups for 3 weeks: group 1 consumed supplement bars that contained no fibre, group 2 consumed bars containing the synthetic glucose polymer polydextrose (21g/d), and group 3 ate bars containing soluble corn fibre (21g/d).

After faecal specimens were collected from each participant, researchers tested specimen DNA via whole-genome shotgun 454 pyrosequencing, which reported a snapshot of all the bacterial genetic information in the fecal micro biome.

Researchers found that fibre supplementation increased the numbers of beneficial bacteria, which ultimately aided digestion in those participants who ingested added fibre.

Researchers estimate that only 10% of the American population consumes enough fibre for to maintain a healthy gastrointestinal system (25–38g/d), so thanks to this study, practitioners now have even more reason to encourage fibre consumption as an aid to weight loss and disease prevention.

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