The effects of inulin supplementation on eating behaviours in children and adolescents with obesity: a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled study
The prevalence of childhood obesity has increased in recent decades. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 390 million children and adolescents (aged 5-19 years) were obese or overweight in 2022. Individuals who are overweight or obese display common eating patterns influenced by factors such as eating speed and emotional- or stress-related eating, which are linked to imbalanced energy intake. This three-arm, randomized, placebo-controlled trial assessed the effects of inulin supplementation in children and adolescents with obesity. One hundred and fifty-six children (aged 7 to 15 years) with obesity were divided into one of three groups: 1) supplementation with 13 g/day inulin (from Thai Jerusalem artichoke, dosage form not indicated), 2) placebo (maltodextrin), or 3) dietary fiber advice based on age-appropriate intake recommendations. Measurements included dietary assessment, anthropometric measures, eating behaviour questionnaires, gut hormone analysis, and gut microbiota analysis which were assessed at months 0, 3, and 6. At month 6, all groups with obesity demonstrated significant reductions in body mass index (BMI) z-scores. In the group supplementing with inulin, significant decreases were reported in the emotional undereating subscale, compared to other groups. By month 3 and 6, all food approach subscales were significantly decreased in all three groups. Furthermore, by month 3, food responsiveness was significantly correlated with total calories and fat intake. Similarly, by month 6, emotional overeating (EOE) was significantly correlated with a decrease in dietary fiber intake. After month 6, significant increases in glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) were linked to lower EOE scores. Lastly, some associations were noted between eating behaviours and gut microbiota composition and diversity at month 3, but not at month 6. Overall, supplementation with inulin among children and adolescents may improve eating behaviours, gut hormones, and anthropometric markers.
Key takeaways:
- Overweight or obese children and adolescents often exhibit eating behaviours, such as eating speed and emotional or stress-related eating linked to imbalanced energy intake.
- Supplementation with 13 g/day inulin may improve eating behaviours, gut hormones, and anthropometric outcomes in overweight or obese children and adolescents.
Access the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40796902/
Reference: Panichsillaphakit, E., Visuthranukul, C., Chongpison, Y., Chuaypen, N., Kwanbunbumpen, T., Uaariyapanichkul, J., & Chomtho, S. (2025). The effects of inulin supplementation on eating behaviours in children and adolescents with obesity: a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled study. Nutrition & metabolism, 22(1), 97. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12986-025-00995-0
Characterizing gut microbial dysbiosis and exploring the effect of prebiotic fiber supplementation in patients with COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a disease characterized by limited airflow and chronic respiratory symptoms. Given the mucosal connection between the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, known as the gut-lung axis, the progression of COPD may be exacerbated by poor diet quality. This 3-month, single center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial aimed to assess the effect of a prebiotic fiber-containing multi-nutrient supplement on the gut microbiota composition among patients with COPD. A total of 38 participants with moderate to severe COPD were included and allocated into groups receiving either: 1) a nutritional supplement containing 6 g prebiotic fibers (short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides, long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides, and low viscosity pectin) along with vitamin D, tryptophan, and poly-unsaturated fatty acids, or 2) placebo (containing the same protein, lipid, and digestible carbohydrate fraction, with L-alanine and sunflower oil replacing amino acids and fish oil, respectively). Fasted blood and stool samples were collected at baseline and at the end of the intervention, and the Bristol Stool Form Scale and 3-day food diaries were used to assess outcomes. Microbiota profiling was performed for both groups, with COPD patients showing higher relative abundance of the phylum Bacteroidota and lower relative abundance of Firmicutes. Reduced levels of the families Ruminococcaceae and Oscillospiraceae were also reported compared to the controls. After three months, the nutritional intervention did not seem to have significant effects on the gut microbiota or systemic inflammatory markers. Notably, three patients in the nutritional supplement group required antibiotic treatment during the 3-month follow-up period. Overall, although the prebiotic intervention did not produce significant changes in gut microbiota composition, this study is among the first to examine prebiotic supplementation in patients with COPD and highlights the importance of exploring benefits in other patient populations.
Key takeaways:
- COPD is a disease characterized by limited airflow and chronic respiratory symptoms, influenced by the gut-lung axis.
- This trial evaluated the effects of a 3-month multi-nutrient supplement containing prebiotic fiber, vitamin D, tryptophan, and omega-3 fatty acids in patients with COPD compared to healthy controls.
- The supplement intervention did not have significant effects on the gut microbiota or systemic inflammatory markers in COPD patients.
Access the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40481968/
Reference: van Iersel, L. E. J., Beijers, R. J. H. C. G., Simons, S. O., Schuurman, L. T., Shetty, S. A., Roeselers, G., van Helvoort, A., Schols, A. M. W. J., & Gosker, H. R. (2025). Characterizing gut microbial dysbiosis and exploring the effect of prebiotic fiber supplementation in patients with COPD. European journal of nutrition, 64(5), 210. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-025-03733-7
Prebiotic fiber enteral supplementation after allogeneic transplantation: feasibility and impact on the microbiome
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) can contribute to gut microbiome dysbiosis, characterized by reduced microbial diversity, domination of unfavourable gut bacteria, and reduced short chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels. This pilot feasibility study included 30 participants (aged 18 years and older) undergoing myeloablative or reduced-intensity allogeneic HSCT, aiming to assess tolerance as well as clinical, metabolomic, and microbiome-related outcomes among patients receiving standard enteral nutrition (EN) versus prebiotic fiber EN. Participants were divided into the following groups: 1) standard care, 2) non-fiber EN formula, or 3) prebiotic-fiber EN formula (containing inulin, oligofructose, Arabic gum, soy polysaccharides, cellulose, and resistant starch). The primary endpoint of the study was EN tolerance, while the secondary endpoints included prescribed EN amount, EN duration, and others. The study found no difference in EN tolerance or duration between groups, but the amount of EN received for the fiber group varied between 11 to 29 g/day. Furthermore, the results from the microbiota sequencing suggest that the relative abundance of Lactobacillus_C rhamnosus and Lactobacillus_C paracasei significantly increased in the prebiotic group compared to the standard group, while the relative abundance of Faecalicatena gnavus increased in the standard group compared to a reduction in the prebiotic group. Notably, serum cytokine analysis showed a significant increase in interleukin-6 levels post-transplantation compared to pre-feeding, and a significant decrease in interleukin-10 post-feeding in the prebiotic group compared to the control group. Lastly, participants receiving the prebiotic formula expressed lower levels of antibiotic-resistance genes, with the Shannon diversity index of the microbiome and SCFA levels showing significant alterations in the prebiotic group. Overall, this study suggests that prebiotic EN is tolerable after allogeneic HSCT and may positively support the abundance of Lactobacillus species in the microbiome.
Key takeaways:
- This study assessed the tolerance and clinical, metabolomic, and microbiome outcomes of prebiotic fiber EN containing inulin, oligofructose, Arabic gum, soy polysaccharides, cellulose, and resistant starch.
- Following allogeneic HSCT and prebiotic fiber EN intake, no differences were reported between groups, supporting the tolerability of prebiotic EN.
- Prebiotic-containing EN increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus species in the gut and reduced the antibiotic resistance genes.
Access the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40489796/
Reference: Andersen, S., Kennedy, G., Banks, M., Flanagan, B., & Henden, A. (2025). Prebiotic fiber enteral supplementation after allogeneic transplantation: feasibility and impact on the microbiome. Blood advances, 9(16), 4167–4179. https://doi.org/10.1182/bloodadvances.2024015703
Can supplements with prebiotic fibres positively influence bone health in type 2 diabetes? Insights from a randomised controlled crossover trial
Minerals such as calcium and magnesium are stored in the bone matrix and play a key role in maintaining mineral homeostasis and bone rigidity. Similarly, vitamin D is crucial for these processes, as it is activated by magnesium and supports calcium absorption. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study aimed to assess the effect of inulin-type fructans (ITFs) on calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D levels, and bone turnover markers including N-terminal propeptide of type 1 collagen (P1NP) and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-1) in participants with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Twenty-nine male and female participants with T2D, a BMI of 40 kg/m2 or lower, and not taking insulin or GLP-1 medications were included in the study. Participants were randomized into either: 1) 16 g ITFs (50/50 mixture of oligofructose and inulin) or 2) control (maltodextrin) for six weeks, followed by a four-week washout period before switching to the next treatment group. Data collected from participants included a self-administered food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and fasting serum samples. The study showed that ITFs did not significantly alter serum concentrations of calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, or CTX-1 compared to the control. Although prebiotic ITFs did not affect serum levels of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D, nor markers of bone turnover, future research is needed to further explore the effects of ITFs and other prebiotics, specifically in healthy populations.
Key takeaways
- Calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D act synergistically to maintain key physiological processes that support bone mineral homeostasis and bone rigidity.
- The study found that ITF intake did not significantly affect serum calcium, magnesium, or vitamin D levels in individuals with T2D.
- Future research is warranted to evaluate the effects of other prebiotic interventions, specifically in healthy populations.
Access the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40471453/
Reference: Birkeland, E., Bamigbetan, W. A., Molven, K. D., Thorsby, P. M., Gulseth, H. L., Aas, A. M., & Dahl, C. (2025). Can supplements with prebiotic fibres positively influence bone health in type 2 diabetes? Insights from a randomised controlled crossover trial. Archives of osteoporosis, 20(1), 71. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11657-025-01556-x
