Whole Food Fibers for Support of Key Gut Bacteria for Human Health

Summary

The purpose of this supplementation study is to understand how whole food fibers may affect gut microbiota composition and overall health. The investigators will enroll up to 24 people in this study. To be eligible, participants need to be between 18 and 65 years old, have a Body Mass Index of 25 to 35 kg/m², be prediabetic (HbA1c: 5.7 - 6.3), be free of any inflammatory bowel disease or any colon-related disease, be free of wheat allergens or intolerance, and not be pregnant or nursing. If participants have any questions about the criteria, they will ask the investigator consenting them. This is a randomized, cross-over, double-blind, clinical trial (RCT) that will last 12 consecutive weeks in total (4 weeks of treatment A + 4 weeks of washout + 4 weeks of treatment B). The order of the treatments will be randomly assigned before the beginning of the study. If proved right, this study will provide a science-based fiber reason why consumption of whole foods constitutes a better dietary approach than the current practice of adding soluble dietary fiber (inulin) alone to modulate gut microbiota for gut and whole-body health.

Eligibility

Age range

18–65 years

Sex

All

Healthy volunteers

No

Interventions

• Dietary Supplement
  Whole food fiber mixture

  Participants will consume 2 servings per day of a whole-food fiber-based mixture packaged in the form of a sachet, prepared by an external manufacturer , and diluted in 100 mL of water prior to consumption. Each serving contains 7.5 g of a whole-food fiber mixture (designed by the research team), 0.7 g of flavor (berry, banana, or lemon), 0.2 g of guar gum (thickening agent), 0.5 g citric acid, and 0.1 g stevia.

• Dietary Supplement
  inulin

  Participants will consume 2 servings per day of an inulin packaged in the form of a sachet, prepared by an external manufacturer, and diluted in 100 mL of water prior to consumption. Each serving contains 7.5 g of commercially sourced isolated inulin, 0.7 g of flavor (berry, banana or lemon), 0.2 g of guar gum (thickening agent), 0.5 g citric acid, and 0.1g stevia.

Location