The primary physiological impacts of fiber intake include the gastrointestinal effects of stool bulking, increased stool frequency and decreased gastrointestinal transit time (GTT). Fermentation of resistant starches by microbiota increases bacterial numbers, which increases fecal bulk and may impact frequency and transit time. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of resistant potato starches (potato fiber) on stool frequency, transit time and microbiota in healthy individuals.
Potato fiber (PF-RS, PF-RO1 and PF-RO2), supplemented in the diet of healthy individuals (n=60; 20 per group) and providing 30 g per day of fiber, will result in a significant changes in gastrointestinal function and microbiota profile. Objectives: 1. To determine the effect of potato fibers on stool frequency, gastrointestinal transit time and gastrointestinal symptoms. 2. To determine the effect of potato fibers on microbial diversity in healthy individuals.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
90
n=20 will consume PF-RS containing 30 g potato fiber for 14 days and will consume a control containing no fiber for 14 days.
n=20 will consume PF-RO1 containing 30 g potato fiber for 14 days and will consume a control containing no fiber for 14 days.
n=20 will consume PF-RO2 containing 30 g potato fiber for 14 days and then will consume a control containing no fiber for 14 days.
University of Florida Food Science & Human Nutrition Dept
Gainesville, Florida, United States
Stool Frequency
Change in stool frequency determined by the daily questionnaire
Time frame: 6 weeks
Gastrointestinal transit time
Change in gastrointestinal transit time determined by the Bristol Stool Scale
Time frame: 6 weeks
Gastrointestinal symptoms
Change in gastrointestinal symptoms determined by the daily questionnaire
Time frame: 6 weeks
Microbial diversity
Baseline, treatment, control and washout stools (for a total of 6 samples) for each subject will be sampled for DNA isolation for microbiota studies. Microbial diversity measured by DGGE profiling (detects large distortions), qPCR to quantify changes and 16S rRNA sequencing (454) to identify treatment effects on specific bacteria (discovery) will be undertaken.
Time frame: 6 weeks
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