Prebiotics are food ingredients that improve health by modulating the colonic microbiota. The bifidogenic effect of the prebiotic inulin is well established; however, it remains unclear which species of Bifidobacterium are stimulated in vivo and whether bacterial groups other than lactic acid bacteria are affected by inulin consumption.

It is known that chicory inulin (average DP=10) and oligofructose (DP=4) affect bowel function. Recently a new type of chicory inulin with higher average chain length (DP=25) has become commercially available. In this placebo controlled study, we investigated the effect of this high performance inulin on bowel function in healthy volunteers with low stool frequency.

Constipation is among the most common health impairments in Western countries. This study aimed to determine the effect of the chicory-derived fermentable dietary fiber Inulin on stool frequency in healthy subjects with constipatioThe study was conducted according to recent guidance documents for investigating bowel function and used a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over design with a 2-week wash-out phase.

The pathogenesis of enteritis after abdominal radiotherapy is unknown, although changes in faecal microbiota may be involved. In several studies, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium have proven beneficial for the host. Prebiotics stimulate the proliferation of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, and this may have positive effects on the intestinal mucosa during abdominal radiotherapy.

Antibiotics exert deleterious effects on the intestinal microbiota, favoring the emergence of opportunistic bacteria and diarrhea. Prebiotics are nondigestible food components that stimulate the growth of bifidobacteria. Our aim was to evaluate the effects on the intestinal microbiota of a prebiotic-supplemented milk formula after an antibiotic treatment.