Taiyo prebiotic normalises stool in new study

14-Oct-2019

Ingredients | Research & Development

Alongside stool consistency and frequency the researchers also looked for changes in the gut microbiota and participants’ quality of life

Photo as seen on company website showing a step in the production of Sunfiber

Sunfiber, Taiyo's prebiotic soluble fibre has been the subject of a new study, in which Sunfiber's regulating and prebiotic benefits were confirmed by its ability to improve stool form and increase beneficial Bifidobacterium levels in the gut.

The 12-week randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, published in Nutrients, evaluated healthy volunteers. One group received 5 g of Sunfiber daily; the other received a matching placebo. Investigators evaluated the frequency and form of participants' bowel movements. They also looked for changes in the gut microbiota and participants' quality of life.

Nutrition scientist Derek Timm, PhD, RDN, who serves as Taiyo's functional ingredient technology expert, said the results reinforce many of Sunfiber's unique advantages.

"Researchers used the gold standard of study design, which makes the results very exciting," Timm said.

Timm described the top findings:

Stool form returned to normal, for those having loose stools, validated using the Bristol Stool Scale. "This is important to marketers because Sunfiber is one of the only fibres to help not only with occasional constipation, but also with occasional diarrhoea. It helps people on both ends of the spectrum without side effects," said Timm.
Stool frequency was unchanged. "Unlike some other dietary fibres, Sunfiber won't make you go too often or plug you up. You'll just have better-formed, easier to pass stool."
Beneficial Bifidobacterium levels in the gut improved, whereas the control did not change. "This study confirms a prebiotic benefit of Sunfiber at a 5 g dose. Consumers are familiar with Bifidobacterium because it is used in many commercially available probiotic supplements. Bifidobacterium is associated with good gut health."
There were quality of life improvements. "The Sunfiber group showed significantly higher social functioning at both 8 weeks and 12 weeks. This demonstrates Sunfiber's benefit go beyond gut health and may interact with the gut/brain axis."

Timm concluded that Sunfiber is an all-natural, drug-free way of achieving normalised stool form and frequency, as well as supporting optimal gut health, without side effects.

In addition to being confirmed by the FDA as a Functional Dietary Fiber, Sunfiber is Non-GMO Project Verified, Glyphosate Residue-Free Certified, gluten-free, Kosher, HALAL and Monash University Low FODMAP Certified.