Published in:
Open Access
01-12-2016 | Original Contribution
Digestion-resistant maltodextrin effects on colonic transit time and stool weight: a randomized controlled clinical study
Authors:
María Salud Abellán Ruiz, María Dolores Barnuevo Espinosa, Carlos J. Contreras Fernández, Antonio J. Luque Rubia, Francisca Sánchez Ayllón, Miriam Aldeguer García, Carlos García Santamaría, Francisco Javier López Román
Published in:
European Journal of Nutrition
|
Issue 8/2016
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Abstract
Purpose
Increased awareness of the importance of dietary fibre has led to increased interest in “functional” fibre components like digestion-resistant maltodextrin (RMD). This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study assessed the effects of RMD in the colonic transit time (CTT) and defecation characteristics (frequency, stool volume and consistency).
Methods
Sixty-six healthy adult volunteers (32 men) who did not have a daily defecation habit had a 7-day run-in period before the 21-day intervention period with RMD or placebo. CTT and segmental CTT (SCTT) were assessed by a single abdominal X-ray film taken at the end of both periods after radiopaque marker ingestion. Defecation characteristics and intestinal functions were also assessed, which were self-reported by patients. Intragroup comparisons were evaluated by Student’s paired t test, Bonferroni test and Chi-square test, while time comparisons by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and time-by-treatment interaction by repeated-measures ANOVA.
Results
Fifty-seven subjects were assessed for CTT (placebo, n = 28; RMD, n = 29). In the RMD group, the total CTT, left SCTT and rectosigmoidal SCTT decreased significantly compared to baseline (p < 0.01 each; −13.3, −4.7, −8.7 h, respectively). Significant differences between groups were observed in total CTT and left SCTT. Significant time-by-treatment interaction was observed in the RMD group for stool volume (p = 0.014), increasing 56 % compared to baseline (p < 0.01), while remained unchanged in the placebo group. Stool consistency was improved only in the RMD group (p < 0.01). No adverse effects related to study products were observed.
Conclusions
The results show that RMD improved CTT, stool volume, stool consistency and some intestinal functions in a healthy population.