Inulin-type fructans (ITF), including short-chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS), oligofructose, and inulin, are commonly used fibers that are widely regarded as prebiotic for their ability to be selectively utilized by the intestinal microbiota to confer a health benefit. However, the literature thus far lacks a thorough discussion of the evidence from human clinical trials for the prebiotic effect of ITF, including both effects on the intestinal microbiota composition as well as the intestinal and extraintestinal (e.g., glucose homeostasis, lipids, mineral absorption and bone health, appetite and satiety, inflammation and immune function, and body composition) benefits. Additionally, there is a lack of discussion regarding aspects such as the effect of ITF chain length on its intestinal and extraintestinal effects. The overall objective of this systematic review was to summarize the prebiotic potential of ITF based on the results of human clinical trials in healthy adult populations. Evidence from studies included in the current review suggest that ITF have a prebiotic effect on the intestinal microbiota, promoting the abundances of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. Beneficial health effects reported following ITF intake include improved intestinal barrier function, improved laxation, increased insulin sensitivity, decreased triglycerides and an improved lipid profile, increased absorption of calcium and magnesium, and increased satiety. While there is some evidence for differing effects of ITF based on chain length, lack of direct comparisons and detailed descriptions of physicochemical properties limit the ability to draw conclusions from human clinical studies. Future research should focus on elucidating the mechanisms by which the intestinal microbiota mediates or modifies the effects of ITF on human health and the contribution of individual factors such as age and metabolic health to move towards personalization of prebiotic application.
Objectives Consumption of yogurt containing the probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis lactis DN-173 010/CNCM I-2494 (B. animalis) improves digestive health and quality of life in adults. To optimize the benefits of this probiotic, we aimed to test our hypothesis that yogurt with honey would increase the survivability of B. animalis under simulated gastrointestinal tract digestion conditions. Methods Phase 1 tested four honey varietals (alfalfa, buckwheat, clover, and orange) at a final concentration of 20% w/w in yogurt containing B. animalis. Undiluted yogurt and yogurt with added sucrose or water (20% w/w) were included as control treatments. Phase 2 assessed clover honey at final concentrations of 20, 14, 10, 9, 8, 6, 4% w/w. Yogurt samples were subjected to in vitro simulated oral, gastric, and intestinal digestion using simulated salivary, gastric, and intestinal fluids, respectively. At four time points—pre-digestion, and after each phase of digestion (oral, gastric, intestinal)—probiotic cells were enumerated first by spread plating on MRS agar and incubated for 5 h at 37°C under anaerobic conditions. Then, plates were overlaid with MRS supplemented with lithium chloride and sodium propionate and incubated an additional 67 h prior to quantification of the probiotic colony forming units (CFU). Results Phase 1 demonstrated similar probiotic counts between honey varietals and controls after exposure to oral and gastric simulated fluids (< 1 Log CFU/g of probiotic reduction after gastric phase). There was comparable probiotic survival after the simulated intestinal phase for yogurt with the alfalfa, buckwheat, and orange honey varietals relative to control yogurt treatments. However, higher B. animalis survivability was observed in yogurt with clover honey after exposure to simulated intestinal fluids (∼3.5 Log CFU/g reduction) compared to all control treatments (∼5.5 Log CFU/g reduction, P ˂ 0.05). Phase 2 revealed that 20%, 14% and 10% w/w clover honey similarly supported B. animalis survivability after exposure to simulated intestinal fluids. Conclusions These results demonstrated that clover honey increased B. animalis survivability in yogurt during in vitro digestion when provided at doses equivalent to 1 to 2 tablespoons per serving (170g) of yogurt. Funding Sources The National Honey Board.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.