Impact of High and Low‐ FODMAP Interventions on Free‐Living Subjective Appetite

Abstract

Increases in colonic fermentation have been associated with decreases in subjective appetite, but data specifically on dietary fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharaides and polyols (FODMAPs) are lacking. This single blind, randomized, crossover study examined how changes in FODMAP consumption effect hunger (HUN), satiety (SAT), and desire to eat (DTE) over a 3-day intervention. Healthy participants (20.5±1.7yrs, BMI 22.2±2.4kg/m2) were instructed to follow a low FODMAP (LFD) and high FODMAP (HFD) diet for three days, with an 11-day washout between. Subjects completed visual analogue scales regarding HUN, SAT, and DTE throughout each day. Data from day 2 and day 3 were used for analysis. Data from the 8 compliant participants were analyzed via ANOVA. Fasting HUN was lower on day 2 on the LFD (64.5± 9.74vs.74.43 ±5.7,p=.049). Before bed, subjective HUN was lower with LFD, but not significantly (38.6± 3.82 vs. 53.6± 5.96, p=.06,η2=.52). However, DTE was significantly increased, midmorning, on the LDF (65.4±10.36 vs.43.7±9.73, p=.01),while SAT was significantly increased under HFD, before and after lunch (p=.03 and p=.03). Subjects reported difficulty implementing (6.4±2.1vs.4.8±2.8) and adhering (5.7±1.9vs.4.6±2.4) to LFD. This study indicates that, while fasting hunger may be reduced during LFD conditions, HFD may support SAT more during the day. This, along with expressed difficulty adhering to LFD, raises concerns regarding dietary adherence. Further investigation, with longer interventions is needed.