The University of Illinois study notes most Americans don't get the daily recommended amount of fiber in their diet, even though past research has shown doing so reduces the risk of colon cancer, Type 2 diabetes, and other diseases.

 

For the latest study, nutrition professor Kelly Swanson and his team were able to determine that 20 healthy men who consumed a diet supplemented with polydextrose and soluble corn fiber every day experienced an increase in beneficial gut bacteria that tend to be higher in individuals who are leaner.
 

"In the gut, bacteria have the capacity to do a lot of different things, such as fermenting proteins, carbohydrates, or other substrates," Swanson said. "We have already been able to identify what bacteria are there and the changes that occur with diet, and now we are asking if we can change the machinery or the capacity of what functions the bacteria have. Knowing what bacteria are there may matter, but it may not matter as much as identifying their function."
 

Hannah Holscher said the findings add to the growing body of research that shows gut bacteria play a significant role in many health issues, as well as obesity.
 

"The take-home is if people want to make changes to their diet and have a healthier gut they need to be everyday changes,” she added. "We need more fiber in our diets from lots of different sources," Holscher said. "These two fibers look like they could be beneficial when included in a balanced diet along with whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes."
 

Holscher added that only 10 percent of Americans meet their daily fiber needs of 25 to 38 grams per day, with most only eating 12 to 14 grams per day. Polydextrose and soluble corn fiber are often ingredients used in prepared foods such as cereals, cereal bars, baking mixes, and drinks.
 

"We're hoping this study helps people realize that diet — what you eat every day — does affect the bacteria in your gut. We saw these dramatic shifts in bacterial populations with fiber
supplementation, but then those shifts went away when people stopped using the supplements," Holscher said.