Effect of nondigestible oligosaccharides on large-bowel functions, blood lipid concentrations and glucose absorption in young healthy male subjects

Abstract

Objective: To study the effect of the intake of 15 g nondigestible oligosaccharides per day on various parameters of large-bowel function, as well as on blood lipid concentrations and glucose absorption in man.

Design: Latin square, randomized, double-blind, diet-controlled.

Setting: Metabolic research unit.

Subjects: Twelve apparently healthy men (mean age 23 years), recruited from the Institute’s pool of volunteers, no drop-outs.

Interventions: Four treatment periods of 3 weeks: inulin, fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and control; analyses of stool weight, intestinal transit, faecal pH, short-chain fatty acids, bile acids, faecal enzymes, blood lipids and glucose absorption.

Results: As compared to the control treatment: higher concentration of faecal acetate (inulin and GOS, P<0.05) and valerate (inulin, P<0.05), significantly lower concentration of faecal deoxycholic acid (inulin and FOS, P<0.05 and P<0.02, respectively) and β-glucuronidase activity (inulin and GOS, P<0.05 and P<0.02 respectively). Other changes of faecal parameters and those of blood lipids and glucose absorption were statistically not significant.

Conclusions: Results indicate that nondigestible oligosaccharides are (partly) fermented in the human colon, but in healthy young men the effects are limited. Also the consumption of 15 g nondigestible oligosaccharides does not seem to alter blood lipid concentrations and glucose absorption in our young healthy adults.

Sponsorship: European Union and ORAFTI s.a., Tienen, Belgium.