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Study supports Sunfiber’s lower dose prebiotic benefits

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Study supports Sunfiber’s lower dose prebiotic benefits

Findings from a human intervention study indicated that 14 days of supplementation with both three or six grams of the partially hydrolyzed guar gum led to significant increases in Verrucomicrobia​ and Akkermansia​ in healthy subjects.

“This study demonstrated a significant prebiotic effect for Sunfiber at a lower dose than previously shown. The significant increases in Akkermanisa are a novel finding and new benefit area for consumers,” said the study’s lead researcher, Joanne Slavin, PhD, RD, a world-renowned fiber expert at the University of Minnesota.

The findings are published in Applied Microbiology​.

Prebiotics

Prebiotics are defined by ISAPP as, “A substrate that is selectively utilized by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit”. (Gibson et al., 2017​)

Previous studies with Taiyo’s Sunfiber have supported a prebiotic effect for doses of five grams per day and upwards, but the new study suggests that prebiotic benefits may also be observed at lower doses.

“Sunfiber is popular in part because of its efficacy, versatility, ease of use and multiple sought-after certifications. This new research opens the doors to even more formulation possibilities, now that we know Sunfiber’s tremendous potential to promote digestive health even at 3g doses,” said Scott Smith, president of Taiyo International.

Study details

Prof. Slavin and her co-workers recruited 33 healthy people (17 men and 16 women) to participate in their randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. The volunteers were randomly assigned to one of three groups: 3 or 6 grams per day of Sunfiber or a placebo for 14 days. Each intervention was followed by a two week “washout” period (a low fiber period) before the volunteers crossed over to the other groups.

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