Effects of a diet based on inulin-rich vegetables on gut health and nutritional behavior in healthy humans

Abstract

Background Inulin-type fructans (ITFs) are a type of fermentable dietary fiber that can confer beneficial health effects through changes in the gut microbiota. However, their effect on gut sensitivity and nutritional behavior is a matter of debate. Objective We evaluated the impact of consuming ITF-rich vegetables daily on gut microbiota, gastro-intestinal symptoms, and food-related behavior in healthy individuals. Methods A single group-design trial was conducted in 26 healthy individuals. During 2 wk, the participants were instructed to adhere to a controlled diet based on ITF-rich vegetables (providing a mean intake of 15 g ITF/d). Three test days were organized: before and after the nutritional intervention and 3 wk after returning to their usual diet. We assessed nutrient intake, food-related behavior, fecal microbiota composition, microbial fermentation, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Results The major microbial modifications during the intervention were an increased proportion of the Bifidobacterium genus, a decreased level of unclassified Clostridiales, and a tendency to decrease Oxalobacteraceae . These changes were reversed 3 wk after the intervention. The volunteers showed greater satiety, a reduced desire to eat sweet, salty, and fatty food, and a trend to increase hedonic attitudes towards some inulin-rich vegetables. Only flatulence episodes were reported during the dietary intervention, whereas intestinal discomfort, inversely associated with Clostridium cluster IV and Ruminococcus callidus , was improved at the end of the intervention. Conclusions A higher consumption of ITF-rich vegetables allows a substantial increase in well-tolerated dietary fiber, which may in turn improve food-related behavior. Moreover, it leads to beneficial modifications of the gut microbiota composition and function. This trial is registered at clinicaltrial.gov as NCT03540550.

Mechanisms of Action of Prebiotics and Their Effects on Gastro-Intestinal Disorders in Adults

“…In fact it has been shown that two weeks of consuming vegetables rich in inulin-type fructans led to a 3.8-fold increase in the Bifidobacterium genus, and, at the species level, it induced an increase in B. longum subsp. longum and, to a lesser extent, B. pseudocatenulatum, B. bifidum and B. adolescentis [22]. These results confirm previous data, which showed that the consumption of Jerusalem artichoke (rich in inulin) was related to an increase in Bifidobacterium [39,40].…”

“…At the same time, dietary strategies, aimed to enhance the adherence to the Mediterranean diet, can be associated with health benefits. A regular consumption of fibers is conducive to the maintenance of the beneficial effects; indeed, in the study by Hiel et al [22], three weeks after the end of inulin-rich vegetables diet, the levels of Bifidobacterium genus and Clostridiales were shown to have returned to the previous levels.…”

“…↑ Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium (especially B. longum subsp. Longum, B. pseudocatenulatum, B. bifidum and B. adolescentis) growth [22,26]. ↑ SCFAs production [26].…”

Calcium Oxalate Nephrolithiasis and Gut Microbiota: Not just a Gut-Kidney Axis. A Nutritional Perspective

“…Soluble fiber supplementation resulted in increased biodiversity of gut microbiota composition, increased stability over time, and increased representation of Bifidobacteria [137,138]. Interestingly, an increase in fiber intake was also associated with decreased levels of Oxalobacteraceae, probably as a consequence of the reduced oxalate content of ingested foods [138].…”

Relating Gut Microbiome and Its Modulating Factors to Immunotherapy in Solid Tumors: A Systematic Review

“…To minimize confounding factors (especially various disease status), we used search terms "diet" AND "gut microbiome" AND "healthy adult" and included only clinical studies in healthy participants that have detailed diet and gut microbiome information (Supplemental Figure 2). We identi ed 16 eligible clinical studies [38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53] that included in total 771 subjects. Among them, 428 were females and 343 were males.…”