New study on prebiotic chicory root fibre

A NEW study[i] demonstrates that daily consumption of chicory root fibre in children aged 3 to 6 years, can keep the level of bifidobacteria higher and more stable, also during antibiotic treatment.

The study, conducted by Prof Tamàs Decsi, University of Pécs, Department of Paediatrics, Clinical Center of the University of Pécs, Medical School in Hungary, is the first of its kind to provide an in-depth investigation into the effect of prebiotic chicory root fibre supplementation on the gut microbiota composition of children aged 3 to 6 years, including those undertaking antibiotic treatment.

Regular consumption of prebiotic chicory root fibre among children keeps the level of beneficial bifidobacteria higher and more stable. (Photo: Annette Romanenko I Dreamstime.com)

Anke Sentko, Vice President Regulatory Affairs and Nutrition Communication at BENEO, commented: “Young children are particularly susceptible to infectious diseases during the winter months that often need to be treated with antibiotics, which are known to significantly damage the microbiota. This kind of early disturbance of the microbiota composition can create an imbalance in the gut which may affect health in later years.”

Using state-of-the-art methodology and a randomised, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled trial, the study examined the supplementation of 6g chicory root fibre (composition of Orafti^® Inulin and Orafti^® Oligofructose), using maltodextrin as the control, amongst 258 healthy children aged 3 to 6 years, over a 24-week period during winter. 

The findings showed that regular consumption of prebiotic chicory root fibre keeps the level of beneficial bifidobacteria higher and more stable, reducing the antibiotic-induced disturbances of the microbiota composition. In general, the children undergoing antibiotic treatment showed a reduction of microbiota, including bifidobacteria. However, those children also receiving the prebiotic supplementation demonstrated a significantly higher presence of bifidobacteria versus the control. 

The results build on a previous publication[ii] which demonstrated significantly reduced fibril episodes and sinusitis cases resulting from prebiotic chicory root fibre supplementation in young children, aged between 3 and 6 years old.

Anke Sentko continued: “The recently published results prove that prebiotic chicory root fibre intake selectively increases beneficial bifidobacteria in children aged 3 to 6 years old. Even under antibiotic treatment, their microbiota is more stable and balanced. Enriching a child’s nutrition with prebiotic chicory root fibre (inulin and oligofructose) is an easy and tasty way to boost their inner defence by supporting their beneficial bacteria.”

Inulin and oligofructose are the only plant-based prebiotics clinically proven. There is a wealth of research supporting the beneficial impact of BENEO’s prebiotic chicory root fibres in promoting good bacteria in the gut and creating a more favourable environment in the large intestine. These fibres are the preferred nutrients for beneficial gut bacteria and therefore encourage positive modulation of the microbiota composition to tak