The effects of Polydextrose on bowel health
A placebo-controlled, double blind, randomized trial investigated the effects of 0, 4, 8 and 12g polydextrose, taken daily for 4 weeks, in 120 healthy adults and found multiple improvements in bowel health. Frequency and ease of defecation improved significantly in all groups of polydextrose, in a dose dependent manner and faecal weight increased significantly after 12g polydextrose. Beneficial changes were also seen in short chain fatty acid production, faecal pH and faecal microflora. There were no reports of abdominal distention, abdominal cramps or diarrhoea in participants taking polydextrose.
