A novel resistant maltodextrin alters gastrointestinal tolerance factors, fecal characteristics, and fecal microbiota in healthy adult humans.

Objective: Resistant maltodextrin has been shown to increase fecal bulk by resisting digestion and being partially fermented by colonic bacteria to short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). The objective of this experiment was to determine potential prebiotic effects, gastrointestinal tolerance, and fecal characteristics of free-living humans fed a novel resistant maltodextrin or a normal maltodextrin control.

Methods: Subjects (n = 38) were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind study where they were assigned to one of three daily treatments: 15 g maltodextrin; 7.