278: The Effect of a Proprietary High Resistance Potato Starch (Potatodaat®) Dietary Intervention on Short-Chain Fatty Acids and the Gut Microbiome

Introduction

The gut microbiome is a key component of digestive, immune, skin, and brain health. Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) produced by the gut microbiota, such as butyrate, decrease inflammation, regulate satiety, and promote healthy levels of blood glucose and insulin. Prebiotic fiber, such as resistant starch (RS2), feeds beneficial bacteria to increase levels of these SCFAs in the gastrointestinal tract. Fiber is limited in the average diet, and alternative prebiotics such as inulin can cause negative digestive symptoms in high doses. In this study, a high resistance potato starch was used as a dietary intervention to measures changes in the gut microbiome and concentrations of SCFAs and compared to inulin and accessible corn starch.

Methods

In this prospective study, an intervention of 9 g of resistant potato starch (RPS, Potatodaat®), inulin, or accessible corn starch was given to participants with mild to moderate indigestion for 30 days. Short chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels, changes to the gut microbiome, and changes in clinical symptoms of indigestion were assessed as primary outcomes. These outcomes were measured through clinical evaluation, patient diaries, and stool analysis.

Results

Subjects in the RPS (n = 22), inulin (n = 23), and accessible corn starch (n = 22) groups demonstrated similarity in age, sex, BMI, and stool pH. At 30 days, the groups experienced 21.1%, 6.29%, and 9.15% increases in stool butyrate, respectively. Increases in levels of butyrate, acetate, and overalls SCFAs were statistically greatest in the RPS group (p=0.01, p=0.01, p=0.04, respectively). The RPS group also showed statistically greater improvement when compared to inulin and corn starch in digestion (p=0.04), bowel habits (p=0.02), appetite (p=0.04), flatulence (p=0.01), and abdominal fullness/bloating (p=0.03). The RPS group also showed significant increases in pairs of butyrate-producing bacteria.

Significance

Participants in the RPS (Potatodaat®) group experienced the greatest increases in stool SCFA levels and clinical improvement when compared to inulin and corn starch. These results show that RPS, even at doses lower than the recommended daily dose of fiber, can have significant benefits for symptoms of gastrointestinal distress. RPS (Potatodaat®) is an effective clean label substitute for inulin.

Authors: Kiran Khatau, Saena Sadiq, Meike Jiang