Inulin-induced improvements on bowel habit and gut microbiota in adults with functional constipation: findings of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Functional constipation is a common disorder of the gut-brain interaction characterized by infrequent bowel movements and hard stools, which substantially affects patients' quality of life. Supplementation with gut microbiome-targeted prebiotics is a promising non-pharmacological alternative to current treatments.

Methods

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial, we investigated the effect of four-week daily 12 g chicory inulin intake in 39 individuals, with functional constipation according to Rome III criteria. We assessed stool frequency and consistency, constipation-related quality of life (PAC-QOL) and symptoms (PAC-SYM), and microbiota composition through 16S rRNA gene sequencing of fecal samples.

Results

After inulin intake

SUBMITTER: Puhlmann ML 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12613575 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature