Polydextrose and soluble corn fiber affect stool in healthy adults
What it found
In 36 healthy men and women, polydextrose and soluble corn fiber increased five-day fecal wet weight compared with a low fiber control.
Polydextrose also led to softer stools and more daily bowel movements.
What they found
Studies in people
Fecal wet weight
Five-day fecal wet weight was higher after both polydextrose and soluble corn fiber than after the low fiber control.
Stool frequency and output
The number of stools per day and daily fecal output were significantly greater during the polydextrose treatment compared with the low fiber control.
Transit time
Whole gut transit time did not differ among the three treatments.
Stool consistency
Polydextrose resulted in a softer stool than soluble corn fiber and the low fiber control.
Fecal pH
Fecal pH was lowered by polydextrose, while soluble corn fiber tended to lower it compared with the low fiber control.
Gut symptoms
When participants consumed polydextrose and soluble corn fiber, they reported significantly more flatulence and borborygmi compared with the low fiber control.
What the authors conclude
“Consumption of PDX and SCF at a dose of 20 g/d results in a mild laxative effect with nominal gastrointestinal tolerance issues.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that consumption of polydextrose and soluble corn fiber at a dose of 20 g/d results in a mild laxative effect with nominal gastrointestinal tolerance issues.
How it was done
Dietary fiber has well-established beneficial effects on laxation. Polydextrose and soluble corn fiber can be added to many commercially produced products, so the authors wanted to compare their laxative effects.
They ran a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study in 36 healthy men and women. Each person ate 20 g per day of polydextrose, soluble corn fiber, or a low fiber control as a muffin and cereal for 10 days, with a 2-week washout between treatments.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This was a short study of 10 days per treatment, so it cannot show what happens over longer periods.
- The participants were healthy men and women, so the results may not apply to people with digestive conditions or other groups.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- University of Minnesota, USA
The paper
- Title
- Polydextrose and soluble corn fiber increase five-day fecal wet weight in healthy men and women
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Timm DA, Thomas W, Boileau TW, Williamson-Hughes PS, Slavin JL (2013). Polydextrose and soluble corn fiber increase five-day fecal wet weight in healthy men and women. The Journal of nutrition. doi:10.3945/jn.112.170118PubMed 23427334DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error