Abstract
The beneficial effect of wheat fibres on faecal bulk and stool pattern has mainly been observed with intact wheat fibres. This study investigates the effect of extrinsic wheat fibre (VITACEL® wheat fibre), which can be easily incorporated in many food products, on faecal bulk, stool pattern, gastrointestinal complaints, satiety and food liking. In a double-blind randomized crossover trial, healthy male volunteers received meal boxes for 10 days, containing various food products enriched with extrinsic wheat fibre (∼20 grams of additional fibre per day) or control food products containing conventional levels of fibre with similar taste, appearance and caloric values. Meal boxes were integrated in the normal dietary pattern. Stool frequency, stool consistency, gastrointestinal complaints, satiety and product liking were assessed daily, and the last 5 days of each intervention, participants collected all their faeces to analyse faecal bulk. We found that consumption of extrinsic wheat fibre-enriched products significantly enhanced faecal bulk; faecal wet and dry weight showed a 1.41 ± 0.1 and 1.55 ± 0.1 times increase compared to control, respectively (p < 0.01). Extrinsic wheat fibre intervention furthermore increased stool frequency (1.3 ± 0.1 defecations per day compared to 1.1 ± 0.1 defecations per day during control diet, p < 0.05), but did not affect stool consistency, satiety, gastrointestinal complaints or product liking. So, increased consumption of extrinsic wheat fibre enhances faecal bulk and stool frequency. As this extrinsic wheat fibre can be easily incorporated in many food products without affecting appearance or taste, it might facilitate the increase of overall fibre intake and subsequently improve (intestinal) health.
Highlights
Dietary Fibres have been linked to improved bowel function for decades
We investigated the effect of an extrinsic wheat fibre, called VITACEL® wheat fibre, on faecal bulk, stool pattern, gastrointestinal complaints, satiety and food liking
In a double-blind crossover randomized controlled trial, the effect of extrinsic wheat fibre was studied on faecal bulk and stool frequency, stool consistency, gastrointestinal complaints, satiety and product liking
Summary
Dietary Fibres have been linked to improved bowel function for decades. Not all dietary fibres or fibre components have similar health effects.[1] A commonly consumed type of fibre is wheat fibre. Wheat is a type of grass plant, which serves as an important staple food. Most of the fibre is located in the outer layers of the wheat grain (pericarp and seed coat) referred to as wheat bran. A beneficial effect of wheat bran on faecal bulk has been demonstrated.[2,3] De Vries et al recently published a systemic review of human intervention trials which showed that intact wheat fibres have a beneficial effect on bowel function, including increased total faecal weight, faecal dry weight and stool frequency.[2] This review reported no adverse effects of wheat fibre interventions.
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