Soluble corn fiber and calcium absorption in adolescent girls
What it found
Taking 10 or 20 grams of soluble corn fiber a day for four weeks increased calcium absorption by about 13% in teenage girls.
The extra calcium taken in was linked to changes in gut bacteria.
What they found
Studies in people
More calcium absorbed
Girls absorbed about 13% more calcium when they took either 10 or 20 grams of soluble corn fiber daily compared to taking none. There was no difference in absorption between the 10-gram and 20-gram amounts.
Gut bacteria changed
The variety of gut bacteria went up when the girls took the fiber. One type of bacteria called Parabacteroides rose from 1.1% with no fiber to 2.1% at 10 grams and 3.0% at 20 grams.
Bacteria linked to absorption
Rises in two groups of bacteria, Clostridium and an unclassified Clostridiaceae, were tied to the increases in calcium absorption. The authors suggest one group of bacteria may break down the fiber while another uses those breakdown products to help absorb calcium.
Stomach symptoms
Most stomach issues were minimal across all phases. However, gas and bloating were higher at the 20-gram dose than with no added fiber.
Bone formation marker
A blood marker linked to building new bone showed a small positive tie to the extra calcium absorbed. The authors say this points to a possible benefit for bone density over time.
What the authors conclude
- They conclude that soluble corn fiber increased calcium absorption in free-living teenage girls.
- They suggest that two groups of gut bacteria work together to break down the fiber and promote this extra calcium uptake.
- They advise that more research is needed to find out exactly how the fiber works and whether it improves long-term bone strength.
How it was done
Teenage girls often do not get enough calcium, which is needed most during the rapid bone growth of puberty. The authors wanted to see if adding soluble corn fiber to everyday meals could help the body take in more calcium from food.
Twenty-eight healthy girls aged 11 to 14 took part in a trial where each girl tried three different amounts of soluble corn fiber: none, 10 grams a day, and 20 grams a day. Each amount was mixed into muffins and drinks for four weeks, with breaks of three to four weeks between phases. Researchers measured how much calcium the girls absorbed and checked their gut bacteria at the end of each phase.
What it can’t tell you
- This trial lasted only four weeks per dose, so it cannot show whether the extra calcium absorbed leads to stronger bones over years.
- All participants were Caucasian girls aged 11 to 14, so the results might not apply to boys, adults, or people of other backgrounds.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Arizona State University, AZ; Purdue University, IN
The paper
- Title
- Soluble Corn Fiber Increases Calcium Absorption Associated with Shifts in the Gut Microbiome: A Randomized Dose-Response Trial in Free-Living Pubertal Females
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Whisner CM, Martin BR, Nakatsu CH, et al (2016). Soluble Corn Fiber Increases Calcium Absorption Associated with Shifts in the Gut Microbiome: A Randomized Dose-Response Trial in Free-Living Pubertal Females. The Journal of nutrition. doi:10.3945/jn.115.227256Free full textPubMed 27281813DOI
Summary written 30 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error