Effects of a moderate dietary fibre supplement on hunger rating, energy input and faecal energy output in young, healthy volunteers. A randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial.

The effects of moderate dietary-fibre supplementation on satiety, energy intake and faecal energy excretion were studied in 20 young healthy volunteers of normal body weight, mean body mass index 20.9, receiving a dietary fibre supplement of 7.3 g per day in a randomized, double-blind, cross-over study. Hunger feeling, energy intake, and defaecation pattern, were recorded daily during a 2-week control period and then, during two 4-week treatment periods. Furthermore, faecal energy output was determined during the last week of each treatment period. The fibre treatment, as compared to placebo, resulted in a significantly higher faecal energy excretion: 173 kcal/d (163-183 kcal/d) vs 153 kcal/d (135-171 kcal/d), respectively (P less than 0.05); a decrease in hunger rating (using a visual analogue scale) (P less than 0.05); an increase in number of bowel movements (P less than 0.05), and a softer consistency of the stools (P less than 0.05). There was no significant difference in mean energy intake between the two treatment periods. This study demonstrated that moderate dietary fibre supplementation in normal man increases faecal energy excretion with simultaneously decreased hunger feeling. These beneficial effects may have therapeutic value in the management of obesity.