Evaluation of prebiotic potential of refined psyllium (Plantago ovata) fiber in healthy women.

Goal: To assess the effects of the consumption of psyllium seed husk on fecal bifidobacteria in healthy women and the ability of fecal bifidobacteria to metabolize psyllium seed husk in vitro.

Background: Poor microbiologic evidences are nowadays available concerning the ability of psyllium seed husk to promote the growth of bifidobacteria in human gut.

Study: Eleven healthy women consumed 7.