The effects of a three-week intake of soybean oligosaccharides extracts (SOE) 10 g/day (stachyose and raffinose 3 g/day) on the fecal microflora and fecal properties were studied in six elderly women (average, 80 years old). The number of bifidobacteria was significantly (p <0.05) increased for the SOE intake. Fecal β-glucuronidase activity and ammonia values were significantly (p <0.01, p <0.05, respectively) lower for the intake than before the intake. Effects of SOE with bifidobacteria ingestion on 24 elderly persons (average, 79 years old) were studied during a two-week period. A significant increase of frequency and quantity of evacuation (p <0.01, p <0.05, respectively) was observed for fourteen constipative volunteers (evacuation: less than 5 times/week) during SOE ingestion.

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