Digestion-resistant maltodextrin effects on colonic transit time and stool weight: a randomized controlled clinical...

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Nutritional Science
• Human Physiology

Background:

• Growing recognition of dietary fibre's importance fuels interest in functional fibre components.
• Digestion-resistant maltodextrin (RMD) is a functional fibre component with potential benefits for intestinal health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effects of RMD on colonic transit time (CTT).
• To assess RMD's impact on defecation characteristics, including frequency, stool volume, and consistency.
• To investigate RMD's influence on overall intestinal function in a healthy population.

Main Methods:

• A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study involving 66 healthy adult volunteers.
• A 7-day run-in period followed by a 21-day intervention with RMD or placebo.
• Colonic transit time (CTT) and segmental CTT (SCTT) assessed via X-ray after radiopaque marker ingestion; defecation characteristics self-reported.

Main Results:

• RMD significantly decreased total CTT, left SCTT, and rectosigmoidal SCTT compared to baseline.
• The RMD group experienced a significant increase in stool volume (56% vs. baseline) and improved stool consistency.
• No adverse effects were reported in the RMD group, indicating good tolerability.

Conclusions:

• RMD effectively improves colonic transit time in healthy individuals.
• RMD enhances key defecation parameters, including stool volume and consistency.
• RMD demonstrates potential as a functional fibre to support intestinal health.