A randomised, placebo-controlled trial in healthy humans of modified cellulose or psyllium evaluating the role of gelation in altering colonic gas production during inulin co-administration

Food & Function 2026 Open access

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Authors: Joshua E. S. J. Reid, Alaa Alhasani, Thomas MacCalman, Daniel Amor, Abdulsalam Aliyu, Amisha A. Modasia, Hannah C. Harris, Frederick J. Warren, Caroline L. Hoad, Penny A. Gowland, Gleb E. Yakubov, Colin Crooks
+3 more Maura Corsetti, Luca Marciani, R. Spiller
DOI: 10.1039/d5fo03532e
Cited by: 4
References: 53

Abstract

was assessed by breath hydrogen measurements for 24 hours after ingestion. While psyllium significantly reduced initial breath hydrogen production compared to the placebo, a non-inferior effect on reduction in initial breath hydrogen with methylcellulose was not demonstrated. Despite similar physicochemical properties, psyllium and methylcellulose hydrogels exhibited different transit behaviour based on the breath hydrogen time to rise >10 ppm and time to peak. We hypothesise that the fast reformation of psyllium's polysaccharide network or "self-healing" properties after deformation by intestinal pressure waves may underpin its effectiveness in slowing fermentation. The clinical trial registry number is NCT05911347 (https://clinicaltrials.gov).

Fields of Study & Subjects

Microbial Metabolites in Food Biotechnology Gastrointestinal motility and disorders Food composition and properties

Publication details

Journal / source
Food & Function
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Volume
17
Issue
4
Pages
1794–1805
Publication date
1 January 2026
Language
EN