Effects of Adding Raisins to the American Diet on Fecal Microbiota Composition

University of Florida

Status: Completed

Conditions: Inflammation

Treatments: Other: Raisins

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02713165

IRB201500607

Details and patient eligibility

About

Raisins contain a significant amount of dietary fiber and polyphenolic compounds that represent an important substrate for microbiota fermentation which generates potentially beneficial end products, such as short-chain fatty acids. The mammalian gut contains a phylogenetically as well as functionally diverse microbiota that contributes to host physiology. To date, little is known about how increased raisin intake affects human gut microbiota composition.

This research study will assess the effects of adding raisins to the diet of healthy adults on the bacteria from feces of human subjects and resulting self-reported GI symptoms as well as markers of immune function. The hypothesis is that by adding raisins to the diet this will result in changes in gut microbiota. Furthermore, the changes in microbiota will largely be beneficial, as evaluated by an increase in butyrate producers and bacteria associated with anti-inflammatory properties.

Full description

The research study design is a 14 day international focus on increasing raising intake. Participants will be provided with a commercial raisin product for a 14 day period. Participants will consume 2 servings/day (84g of raisins). While participants will be told to substitute raisins for other diet ingredients, they will be free to choose what to substitute according to their preferences. Participants will keep daily food records and will be told that raisin consumption will be monitored in their fecal samples (qPCR). Fecal samples will be collected before the start (Day1), during (Day5-7) and at the end (Day 12-14) of the intervention using a stool collection kit (Sigma). Participants will complete a GI health questionnaire on a weekly basis to determine tolerance to increased raisin intake.

Enrollment: 18 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 75 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Good Health
• No systemic antibiotics during the preceding two months
• No medication suppressing immune function
• Willingness to provide basic demographic as well as medical history data

Exclusion criteria

• Gastric Ulcers
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Chronic constipation/diarrhea
• Body Mass Index (BMI) > 30
• Dietary restrictions that prevent legume intake
• Currently on any medication that can affect GI transit time
• Consumption of >3 servings/week of raisins BEFORE study begins

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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18 participants in 1 patient group

Raisins Enhanced Diet

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will be provide with a Raisin Enhanced Diet over a short term period of time.

Treatment:

Other: Raisins