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A 50:50 blend of insoluble and soluble fibers added to enteral formula increases fermentation and prevents decline in gut bacteria
Author(s) -
Koecher Katie,
Thomas William,
Slavin Joanne
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.1056.5
Subject(s) - fermentation , butyrate , feces , inulin , propionate , food science , bacteria , short chain fatty acid , crossover study , population , chemistry , enteral administration , zoology , biology , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , parenteral nutrition , biochemistry , genetics , alternative medicine , environmental health , pathology , placebo
Fermentation of fiber in the gut increases bacterial mass and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. Patients receiving fiber‐free enteral nutrition frequently suffer from abnormal bowel function and may benefit from the addition of fiber. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of fiber‐free enteral formula (FF), a fiber blend‐fortified formula (FB; 15g/L: fructooligosaccharides, inulin, acacia gum, outer pea fiber) and habitual diet on the gut bacteria population and fermentation metabolites in 20 healthy subjects. Formula was exclusively consumed by subjects for 2 weeks in a randomized, crossover, double‐blind design, with a 4 week washout. Stool samples were collected to measure pH, SCFA (acetate, propionate, butyrate) and total bacteria. Mean fecal pH for both formulas was 7.5; higher than habitual diet pH 6.5 (p<0.0001). Mean total SCFA during FB was significantly higher than FF (43.5 vs. 39.7 umol/ml fecal water; p=0.029), and both formulas yielded lower SCFA than habitual diet (80.9 umol/ml; both p<0.0001). Total fecal bacteria did not differ between FF and FB (11.28 and 11.38 log10 cells/g feces, respectively; p=0.4865). Compared to habitual diet (11.58 log10 cells/g feces), FF had fewer bacteria (p=0.0045), while FB was not different (p=0.0570). Adding fiber to enteral formula positively affects gut fermentation by increasing SCFA production and attenuating decreases in bacteria. Grant Funding Source : Nestle Health Science S.A.