Abstract
Okara is a by-product of soymilk manufacturing and a rich source of protein and dietary fiber. This study investigates whether dietary soymilk-okara powder intake in the long term affects the body composition and gut microbiota flora in healthy Japanese adults. In total, 46 subjects (43 women) were enrolled. All subjects ingested 15g of soymilk-okara powder every day for 12weeks. Subjects' body composition was assessed over fourweeks. At baseline and after intervention for 12weeks, fecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations and microbiota percentages were measured. The body muscle weight significantly increased, and the percentage of body fat significantly decreased at 4, 8, and 12weeks after the intervention. The increase in body muscle after 12weeks was 0.6kg (interquartile range:-0.03 to 1.0). The decrease in body fat was -0.9% (interquartile range: -1.6 to -0.2). There was a significant negative correlation between the changes in body fat and body muscle. For the fecal percentages of Coriobacteriaceae, Lactobacillales, Bacteroides, Clostridium cluster IV, and Clostridium cluster XI, there were significant differences between the baseline and 12weeks after the intervention. Furthermore, there were significant negative correlations between the changes in body fat percentage and fecal acetic acid and propionic acid levels. Therefore, a dietary intake of 15g of soymilk-okara powder for 12weeks induced a decrease in body fat, an increase in body muscle, and a change in fecal microbiota flora. Soymilk-okara powder is effective in improving body composition and changing the intestinal microbiota flora in healthy Japanese adults.
Published Version
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