Anew study shows that prebiotic dietary fibre from chicory root promotes the selective growth of bifidobacteria in the human intestine, regardless of the food application and matrix in which it is used. In the study, four groups of participants received daily inulin-enriched foods or pure inulin. After only ten days, bifidobacteria increased on average by 92% compared to baseline. There were no significant differences between the individual intervention groups. The study was conducted by scientists from the Department of Food and Nutrition Sciences at the University of Reading in collaboration with the Beneo Institute.

In the prospective, randomised, parallel-group study, participants were divided into four groups of 24 people each. The fortified foods were integrated into the daily diet and chosen to reflect a wide range of matrices. One group received pure inulin for comparison purposes, while the other participants consumed either shortbread, milk chocolate or a rice drink with Beneo's Orafti® inulin. All groups thus received a total of 10g of dietary fibre from chicory root daily (5g in the morning and 5g in the evening). Stool samples were taken at the beginning and end of the ten-day intervention. In all groups, the analysis at the end of the intervention period showed that the number of bifidobacteria was significantly increased.

There are several studies on the effect of inulin-type fructans on gut bacteria when ingested in different food applications. What is special about the current publication is the study design, which allows a direct comparison of the mode of action in different food applications.

Anke Sentko, Vice President Regulatory Affairs & Nutrition Communication at Beneo, comments: "The bioavailability and thus the efficacy of some ingredients and nutrients can be affected by the food matrix in which they are contained. Therefore, certain benefits of such ingredients cannot be reliably touted."