Moderate intakes of soluble corn fibre or inulin do not cause gastrointestinal discomfort and are well tolerated in healthy children

Abstract

We investigated the gastrointestinal (GI) tolerance of soluble corn fibre (SCF) compared with inulin in children 3–9 years old. SCF (3–8 g/d for 10d) was tolerated as well as inulin: no differences were identified in stool frequency and consistency, proportion of subjects with at least one loose stool or reporting symptoms during bowel movement. Compared to inulin, 6 g/d of SCF lowered gas severity in children aged 3–5 years old. No differences were noted for alpha and beta diversity, relative abundance of Bacteroidota, Firmicutes, Ruminococcaceae, or the Firmicutes to Bacteroidota ratio. Relative abundance of some specific strains (i.e. Anaerostipes, Bifidobacterium, Fusicatenibacter, Parabacteroides) varied depending on the fibre type and dose level. Fortification at a level of 6–8 g/d of SCF and/or inulin could help addressing the fibre gap without any GI discomfort.