Effects of Inulin Consumption on the Gut Microbiome During Fasting: A Pilot Study in Healthy Volunteers

摘要

Caloric restriction has been associated with beneficial effects on metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer but the mechanisms are diverse and not fully understood. Interactions between the human host and its gut microbiota might play a crucial role in this context, but these have not yet been analysed in detail. Therefore, we conducted a pilot intervention study to investigate how the microbial community in the human gut adapts to caloric restriction. Additionally, we investigated whether the compliance improved if the participants during fasting consumed prebiotics, which are supposed to reduce sensations of hunger while not providing calories through digestion in the small intestine.