Facebook exclusive: Researchers say dietary fibre could assist in weight loss and reduce risk of disease
New research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition asserts that using two specific types of functional fibres may assist in weight loss when used daily for a long period of time. It does this by decreasing certain compounds in bodily waste and left beneficial bacteria in the gut.
The researchers compared ‘snapshots’ of the gut after a clinical trial that supplemented the body with polydextrose and soluble corn fibre, and compared that to images of the gut after fibre supplementation.
“This study conveys novel information about the impact of dietary fibre supplementation on the phylogenetic structure and functional capacity of the fecal micribiome of healthy adults,” said the study, led by Kelly Swanson of the University of Illinois, as reported by NutraIngredients-USA.
A novel finding of the study that will be researched further was that respondents tended toward a higher Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes ratio, which was as yet unseen in this type of study, and was of note to researchers since individuals with higher Bacteroidetes tend to be leaner, according to Hannah Holscher, first author of the paper.
“We don’t know if there is any causality for weight loss, but studies have shown that having a higher fibre diet is protective against obesity. It’s an exciting shift and helps to drive researchers to study these fibres as part of a weight loss diet,” said Holscher, as reported by NutraIngredients-USA.
