Effects of 4-week continuous ingestion of champignon extract on bowel movements and intestinal putrefaction products: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, parallel-group comparative trial

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the putrefaction products in the feces of subjects from a previous study (age range 50–79 years) which assessed the improvement of breath, body, and fecal odor after ingesting champignon extract.Methods: The study was designed as a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, and parallel-group comparative trial. Subjects were divided into four groups, including the placebo (n=20), champignon extract at 50 mg/day (n=20), champignon extract at 500 mg/day (n=20), and champignon extract at 1000 mg/day (n=20) for 4 weeks.Results: The results revealed significant reduction in ammonia and p-cresol levels (both of which are intestinal putrefaction products) among subjects who ingested 50, 500, and 1000 mg of champignon extract per day compared with subjects in the placebo group. Additionally, a significant difference was observed in indole levels in the group that consumed 500 mg/day of the extract compared to the placebo group.Conclusions: The re-analysis of bowel movement in each test group revealed that the extract improved the number of days with bowel movement, number of bowel movements, and stool volume, which suggests the intestinal environment was improved.Clinical trial registration: UMIN000014256Keywords: ammonia, champignon, fecal odor, p-cresol, putrefaction