Abstract

"Constipation is a complex disorder, which affects an important part of the population and results in an increase of gastrointestinal symptoms and in lower stool frequency. The addition of soluble fibers (prebiotics) and probiotic in foodstuffs has been proposed as a useful tool to improve digestive wellbeing of affected individuals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the daily consumption of Minishot, a milk drink with prebiotics (inulin I polydextrose) and probiotics (Bifidobacterium lactis BB12), on the digestive comfort of healthy and constipated subjects. We conducted a randomized, controlled, double blind clinical trial in 33 healthy subjects and 64 constipated subjects (≤ 3 stools I week). Subjects underwent a one-week observation period followed by two periods of two weeks of consumption of Minishot or placebo, separated between them by a two-week washout period. The volunteers recorded daily in a table the presence and severity of distracters and digestive symptoms and the number and consistency of stools. Neither Minishot nor the placebo affected the digestive wellbeing or the stool frequency and consistency in the control subjects. In the constipated subjects, both consumption of Minishot and the placebo improved digestive comfort and stool frequency. However, compared with the placebo, Minishot significantly decreased the frequency of hard stools and the proportion of subjects emitting them, and increased the frequency of normal stools."