Effects of Wheat Bran Extract Containing Arabinoxylan Oligosaccharides on Gastrointestinal Parameters in Healthy Preadolescent Children

ABSTRACT Objectives: We assessed whether wheat bran extract (WBE) containing arabinoxylan‐oligosaccharides (AXOS) elicited a prebiotic effect and modulated gastrointestinal (GI) parameters in healthy preadolescent children upon consumption in a beverage. Methods: This double‐blind randomized placebo‐controlled crossover trial evaluated the effects of consuming WBE at 0 (control) or 5.0 g/day for 3 weeks in 29 healthy children (8–12 years). Fecal levels of microbiota, short‐chain fatty acids, branched‐chain fatty acids, ammonia, moisture, and fecal pH were assessed at the end of each treatment and at the end of a 1‐week run‐in (RI) period. In addition, the subjects completed questionnaires scoring distress severity of 3 surveyed GI symptoms. Finally, subjects recorded defecation frequency and stool consistency. Results: Nominal fecal bifidobacteria levels tended to increase after 5 g/day WBE consumption (P = 0.069), whereas bifidobacteria expressed as percentage of total fecal microbiota was significantly higher upon 5 g/day WBE intake (P = 0.002). Additionally, 5 g/day WBE intake induced a significant decrease in fecal content of isobutyric acid and isovaleric acid (P < 0.01), markers of protein fermentation. WBE intake did not cause a change in distress severity of the 3 surveyed GI symptoms (flatulence, abdominal pain/cramps, and urge to vomit) (P > 0.1). Conclusions: WBE is well tolerated at doses up to 5 g/day in healthy preadolescent children. In addition, the intake of 5 g/day exerts beneficial effects on gut parameters, in particular an increase in fecal bifidobacteria levels relative to total fecal microbiota, and reduction of colonic protein fermentation.