Oat Bran Increased Fecal Butyrate and Prevented Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Patients With Quiescent Ulcerative Colitis—Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Oat bran specifically increases colon butyrate concentrations and could therefore affect the progress of the disease in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods Patients with UC in remission were enrolled in a controlled multicenter study and randomized to eat oat bran or low-fiber wheat products. Results Ninety-four of the enrolled patients (n = 47 for both groups) completed the 24-week study. The oat bran group had significantly (P < 0.05) higher fecal butyrate concentrations and lower serum LDL levels, while deterioration of gastrointestinal symptoms was prevented, and subjective health maintained. The control diet significantly (P < 0.05) increased obstipation, reflux, and the symptom burden and had no effects on butyrate or LDL-cholesterol. The relapse rate was the same for both diets. Conclusions Oat bran was well tolerated when given to patients with quiescent UC.