P680 - GASTROINTESTINAL (GI) TOLERANCE OF A PREBIOTIC FIBRE BLEND IN HEALTHY OLDER ADULTS

P680

GASTROINTESTINAL (GI) TOLERANCE OF A PREBIOTIC FIBRE BLEND IN HEALTHY OLDER ADULTS

A. Gagnon^1,*, H. Wopereis¹, K. Ben Amor¹, J. van Bergenhenegouwen¹, P. van Horssen¹, Y. Luiking¹

¹Danone Research & Innovation, Utrecht, Netherlands

Rationale: Prebiotic fibre supplementation can have positive effects on gut microbiota composition and function¹. Although this is beneficial for older adults, it is important that such prebiotic fibre supplementation does not cause GI intolerance or reduce appetite. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a prebiotic fibre supplement on GI tolerance and changes in appetite in healthy older adults.

Methods: A 6 week, single centre, randomised, controlled, double-blind, parallel group study was performed in which healthy older subjects who received 9 g per day of a prebiotic fibre blend (short chain GOS, long chain FOS, low viscosity pectin; N=37) or a control product (maltodextrin and modified starch; N=36). GI tolerance was measured daily from day -4 until day 14 and from day 38 until day 41 by self-reported incidence and severity of symptoms (absent, mild, moderate, or severe). Defecation pattern was assessed by stool frequency and consistency with the Bristol Stool Form Scale. Subjects were also asked about changes in appetite, and presence of vomiting and diarrhea (≥3 liquid stools/day). Data were analyzed by Fisher’s Exact Test.

Results: Most tolerance parameters were only reported incidentally and were of mild intensity. No significant differences were observed between study groups in mean intensity of burping, heartburn, abdominal distension, abdominal pain, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, stool incidence, stool consistency, diarrhoea (≥3 liquid stools/day) and liquid stools (P>0.05). Significant differences between study groups were also not found in changes from baseline in mean intensity of the tolerance parameters (P>0.05). Furthermore, no significant change in appetite was noted within each group nor between groups (P>0.05). 

Conclusion: A prebiotic fibre blend was well tolerated by healthy older adults and did not negatively impact appetite. 

References:  

        1. Gill et al. 2021. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol, 18(2):101-116.

Disclosure of Interest: A. Gagnon Other: Employee of Danone Research & Innovation, H. Wopereis Other: Employee of Danone Research & Innovation, K. Ben Amor Other: Employee of Danone Research & Innovation, J. van Bergenhenegouwen Other: Employee of Danone Research & Innovation, P. van Horssen Other: Employee of Danone Research & Innovation, Y. Luiking Other: Employee of Danone Research & Innovation