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Thickened Fluids and Water Absorption in Rats and Humans

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Abstract

Individuals with dysphagia are commonly provided with oral fluids thickened to prevent aspiration. Most thickening agents are either gum-based (guar or xanthan) or are derived from modified starches. There is evidence, predominantly anecdotal, that dysphagic individuals are subclinically dehydrated. Dysphagia has a particular impact on elderly individuals and there is justifiable concern for dehydration in this population. It has been speculated that dehydration may, in part, be the result of the water-holding capacity of these thickening agents decreasing water absorption from the gut. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of intestinal absorption of water from thickened fluids. The method used was a laboratory tracer study in rats and humans in vivo. We found that there were no significant differences in water absorption rates between thickened fluids or pure water irrespective of thickener type (modified maize starch, guar gum, or xanthan gum). These data provide no support for the view that the addition of thickening agents, irrespective of type, to orally ingested fluids significantly alters the absorption rate of water from the gut.

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Acknowledgments

The financial support of a University of Queensland Research Development Grant and of Steggall Nutrition Pty. Ltd. is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Molecular and Microbial Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

    Kendall Sharpe BSc(Hons) & Leigh Ward PhD

  2. School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

    Julie Cichero PhD

  3. Centre for High Performance Polymers, Division of Chemical Engineering, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

    Peter Sopade PhD & Peter Halley PhD

  4. School of Molecular and Microbial Sciences (Biochemistry), University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia

    Leigh Ward PhD

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  1. Kendall Sharpe BSc(Hons)
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  2. Leigh Ward PhD
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  3. Julie Cichero PhD
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  5. Peter Halley PhD
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Correspondence to Leigh Ward PhD.

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Sharpe, K., Ward, L., Cichero, J. et al. Thickened Fluids and Water Absorption in Rats and Humans. Dysphagia 22, 193–203 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-006-9072-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-006-9072-1

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