Suppressive effect of partially hydrolyzed guar gum on transitory diarrhea induced by ingestion of maltitol and lactitol in healthy humans.

To estimate the suppressive effect of partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) on transitory diarrhea induced by ingestion of a sufficient amount of maltitol or lactitol in female subjects. The first, the minimal dose level of maltitol and lactitol that would induce transitory diarrhea was estimated separately for each subject. Individual subject was administered a dose that increased by 5 g stepwise from 10 to 45 g until diarrhea was experienced. Thereafter, the suppressive effect on diarrhea was observed after each subject ingested a mixture of 5 g of PHGG and the minimal dose level of maltitol or lactitol. Laboratory of Public Health Nutrition, Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Siebold University of Nagasaki. Thirty-four normal female subjects (21.3+/-0.9 years; 49.5+/-5.3 kg). Incidence of diarrhea caused by the ingestion of maltitol or lactitol and the ratio of suppression achieved by adding PHGG for diarrhea. The ingestion of amounts up to 45 g of maltitol, diarrhea caused in 29 of 34 subjects (85.3%), whereas the ingestion of lactitol caused diarrhea in 100%. The diarrhea owing to maltitol was improved in 10 of 28 subjects by the addition of 5 g of PHGG to minimal dose-induced diarrhea, and that owing to lactitol was in seven of 19 subjects. Adding 10 g of PHGG strongly suppressed the diarrhea caused by maltitol, and the cumulative ratio was 82.1% (23/28). The transitory diarrhea caused by the ingestion of maltitol or lactitol was clearly suppressed by the addition of PHGG. These results strongly suggest that diarrhea caused by the ingestion of a sufficient amount of non-digestible sugar substitute can be suppressed by the addition of dietary fiber.