Effect of yogurt containing polydextrose, Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and Bifidobacterium lactis HN019: a randomized, double-blind, controlled study in chronic constipation.

Daniéla Oliveira Magro,Isabela Bernasconi,Maria De Lourdes Stesuko Ayrizono,Arthur C Ouwehand,Irene K Barcelos,João José Fagundes,Leandro De B Teixeira,Marilia De Souza Ruela,Claudio S R Coy,Lais Mariana R De Oliveira,Laura Credidio,Raquel F Leal

doi:10.1186/1475-2891-13-75

Daniéla Oliveira Magro, Isabela Bernasconi + Show 10 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2891-13-75

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Abstract

BackgroundConstipation is a frequent complaint and the combination of a prebiotic and probiotics could have a potentially synergic effect on the intestinal transit. The present study therefore aims to investigate the combination of polydextrose (Litesse®), L. acidophilus NCFM® and B. lactis HN019 in a yogurt on intestinal transit in subjects who suffer from constipation.MethodsPatients with constipation were randomly divided into two groups, Control Group (CG) and Treatment Group (TG), and had to eat 180 ml of unflavored yogurt every morning for 14 days. Those in the CG received only yogurt, while the TG received yogurt containing polydextrose, L. acidophilus NCFM® (ATCC 700396) and B. lactis HN019 (AGAL NM97/09513).ResultsFavourable clinical response was assessed since Agachan score had a significant reduction at the end of the study in both groups and tended to be better in the TG. The subjects in the treatment group also had a shorter transit time at the end of the intervention compared to the control group (p = 0.01).ConclusionThe product containing yogurt with polydextrose, B. lactis HN019 and L. acidophilus NCFM® significantly shortened colonic transit time after two weeks in the TG compared to CG and may be an option for treatment of constipation.

Highlights

Constipation is a frequent complaint and the combination of a prebiotic and probiotics could have a potentially synergic effect on the intestinal transit
The present study aimed to investigate the combination of polydextrose L. acidophilus NCFM® and B. lactis HN019 in a yogurt on intestinal transit in subjects who suffer from constipation
Samples of the yogurt were analyzed at the end of the study to quantify the amount of polydextrose as well the probiotic content

Summary

Introduction

Constipation is a frequent complaint and the combination of a prebiotic and probiotics could have a potentially synergic effect on the intestinal transit. Polydextrose is a polysaccharide that is partially fermented in the large intestine, but is not digested or absorbed by the small intestine, and a substantial part of it is excreted in the stool. It presents the same properties of fibers and promotes a shorter time passing through the intestines and improves the consistency of the stool [5,6]. It acts as a substrate for beneficial endogenous microbes, allowing an increase in their levels and activity in the intestinal lumen [7,8]

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