The effect of inulin and resistant maltodextrin on weight loss during energy restriction: a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blinded intervention

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

  • Anne Lundby Hess
  • Alfonso Benítez-Páez
  • Trine Blædel
  • Lesli Hingstrup Larsen
  • Jose Ramón Iglesias
  • Carmen Madera
  • Yolanda Sanz
  • Thomas Meinert Larsen
  • MyNewGut Consortium

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the additive effects of combining energy restriction with dietary fibres on change in body weight and gut microbiota composition.

Methods: The study was a 12-week randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, parallel intervention trial. A total of 116 overweight or obese participants were assigned randomly either to 10 g inulin plus 10 g resistant maltodextrin or to 20 g of placebo supplementation through 400 mL of milk a day, while on a - 500 kcal/day energy restricted diet.

Results: Altogether, 86 participants completed the intervention. There were no significant differences in weight loss or body composition between the groups. The fibre supplement reduced systolic (5.35 ± 2.4 mmHg, p = 0.043) and diastolic (2.82 ± 1.3 mmHg, p = 0.047) blood pressure to a larger extent than placebo. Furthermore, a larger decrease in serum insulin was observed in the placebo group compared to the fibre group (- 26.0 ± 9.2 pmol/L, p = 0.006). The intake of fibre induced changes in the composition of gut microbiota resulting in higher abundances of Parabacteroides and Bifidobacteria, compared to placebo. The effects on blood pressure and glucose metabolism were mainly observed in women, and could be attributed to a higher gut microbiota diversity after intervention. Finally, the fibre group experienced a higher degree of gastrointestinal symptoms, which attenuated over time.

Conclusions: Supplementation of inulin and resistant maltodextrin did not provide an additional weight loss during an energy-restricted diet, but reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Furthermore, the fibre supplement did stimulate the growth of potentially beneficial bacteria genera.

Clinical trial registry: The study was registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov , NCT03135041.

Original languageEnglish
JournalEuropean Journal of Nutrition
Volume59
Issue number6
Pages (from-to)2507-2524
Number of pages18
ISSN1436-6207
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020

    Research areas

  • Faculty of Science - Dietary fibre, Gut microbiome, Inulin, Maltodextrin, Obesity, Weight loss

ID: 228694899