Comparing Prebiotic Fiber Supplements for Gut Health and Digestive Comfort

Inclusion criteria

• Male or female adults aged 18 to 65 years
• Body mass index 18.5 to 30 kg/m2
• Habitual daily fiber intake of fewer than 10 grams per day, as self-reported at screening
• No current use of fiber supplements, prebiotic supplements, or probiotic supplements
• No use of fiber supplements, prebiotics, probiotics, or antibiotics within the past 4 months
• Willing and able to consume one daily fiber supplement (mixed with water) for the duration of the study
• Willing and able to wear the Ventos intestinal gas monitoring device for approximately 22 hours on designated monitoring days (Tuesdays and Saturdays) for the full 5-week study period
• Willing and able to complete daily and weekly digital questionnaires and symptom diaries using the Alethios platform
• Access to a smartphone or computer with internet access
• Able to read and understand English
• Non-user (never used, or former user defined as cessation 12 or more months) of tobacco or nicotine products with no plans to begin use during the study period
• Willing to maintain habitual diet, physical activity, and body weight throughout the trial
• Willing to refrain from exclusionary medications, supplements, and products throughout the study
• Willing to provide informed consent electronically
• Not currently enrolled in any other clinical trial, supplement study, or consumer health research study

Exclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of any gastrointestinal condition, including but not limited to IBS, IBD (Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis), celiac disease, diverticulitis, gastroparesis, clinically significant lactose or gluten intolerance or other food or ingredient allergies, or any chronic or acute GI condition requiring medical management (e.g., GERD)
• Perception that they have more than 40 flatus per day
• Currently undergoing chemotherapy or any other treatment that affects the digestive system
• Known allergy or sensitivity to any ingredient in the study supplement
• Unwilling to discontinue any current fiber supplement use at least 14 days prior to study initiation
• Habitual dietary fiber intake of 10 or more grams per day
• Consumption of supplemental inulin/chicory root or inulin/chicory root-fortified foods and beverages equivalent to more than 10 g inulin per day within 1 month of screening
• Participation in another research study within 30 days prior to screening that could confound study outcomes
• Recent history (within 12 months of screening) of alcohol or substance abuse
• Habitual use (daily) of marijuana and hemp products including CBD products within 30 days of screening
• Currently or planning to be on a weight loss regimen during the study
• Use of weight loss medications, incretin mimetics, and/or GLP-1 agonists in the 3 months prior to screening
• Chronic use (daily on a regular basis) of anti-inflammatory medications (e.g., NSAIDs) within 1 month of screening
• Expected to receive a COVID-19 vaccine during the study period
• Antibiotic use within 3 months of screening and throughout the study period
• Any medical condition that would make participation unsafe or interfere with data quality
• Currently pregnant or breastfeeding