Effects of Additional Granola in Children’s Breakfast on Nutritional Balance, Sleep and Defecation: An Open-Label Randomized Cross-Over Trial

Abstract

The contribution of breakfast to daily nutrient intake is low, particularly among children, at only about 20%, and it is difficult to determine whether children are receiving adequate nutrients at breakfast. Although alterations in breakfast content are considered to affect lifestyle habits such as sleep and defecation, there have been few intervention studies in children. The relationship between nutritional balance, dietary intake, and lifestyle habits in children remains unclear. We conducted an intervention study on elementary school children’s breakfasts and observed the effects of improving the nutritional balance of breakfast on sleep parameters and defecation status. An intervention study was conducted with 26 elementary school students in Tokyo. The study design was an open-label randomized cross-over trial. Subjects consumed their usual breakfast during the control period and a granola snack containing soy protein in addition to their usual breakfast during the intervention period. Questionnaires regarding breakfast, sleep, and bowel movements were administered during each period. Based on the answers to these questionnaires, we compared the nutritional sufficiency of macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals (29 in total), as well as changes in sleep parameters and defecation status. The additional consumption of granola snacks increased the breakfast intake of 15 nutrients. The changes were particularly significant for iron, vitamin B1, vitamin D, and dietary fiber. During the intervention, sleep duration was decreased and wake-up time became earlier. In terms of defecation, the intervention did not change stool characteristics, but the frequency of defecations per week increased on average by 1.2 per week. These results suggest that the nutritional balance and the amount of breakfast are linked to sleep and defecation and that improving breakfast content can lead to lifestyle improvements in children.

The differential effect of two cereal foods on gut environment: a randomized, controlled, double-blind, parallel-group study

“…The primary outcome was the amount of intestinal IgA, with gut microbiome and metabolome composition, and defecation data we could collect (frequency, amount, consistency, color, odor, feeling of incomplete evacuation, and abstinence) secondary outcomes. At each time point, subjects were asked to collect fecal samples; (1) prior to starting cereal intake, (2) 2 weeks after starting cereal intake, and (3) 4 weeks after intake. Collected fecal samples were preserved at −20°C until processing.…”

“…Cereals are commonly consumed worldwide, with the increasing westernization of diets in Corn flakes (CF), which consists almost entirely of cornderived dietary fiber, while FG contains a mix of dietary fibers from oats, rye, dried fruits, and nuts. We have previously reported that FG consumption for breakfast enhances bowel movements in adult women and elementary school children (1,5). It also leads to reduced blood pressure, urinary toxin indoxyl sulfate, and improved stool characteristics for hemodialysis patients (6).…”

“…Cereals are commonly consumed worldwide, with the increasing westernization of diets in Japan, the consumption of diverse cereals, primarily during breakfast has risen ( 1 ). The widespread acceptance of cereals can be attributed to their ease of preparation and consumption.…”