Abstract
Effects of ingestion of LS-cookies containing galactosylsucrose (LS) were investigated on microflora, defecation, and fecal condition in 5 healthy middle-aged male volunteers, and compared with those of placebo cookies. The subjects were given four pieces of placebo cookies (total 48g, without LS) daily for 7 days (control phase), then given four pieces of LS-cookies (total 48g, LS 4g) daily for 10 days. The ratio of beneficial microbes, Bifidobacteria, to anaerobes was significantly increased from 14.0% to 34.6% (p<0.05), and the ratio of harmful microbes, Bacteroidaceae, decreased but not signigicant by the ingestion of LS-cookies as compared with the ingestion of placebo cookies. Since none of them were constipated, the number of days with defecation per week did not changed by LS-cookies ingestion. Fecal volume tended to increase, and hardness feeling of defecation was significantly improved (p<0.05) by the ingestion of LS-cookies as compared with those of placebo cookies. These results demonstrate that the ingestion of cookies (48g) containing galactosylsucrose (4g) promotes the proliferation of beneficial intestinal microbes, and improves fecal condition such as volume and hardness feeling in middle-aged males.
