Kellogg's (United States)

Human gut microbiota has a fundamental role in human health, and diet is one of the most relevant factors modulating the gut microbial ecosystem. Fiber, fat, proteins, and micronutrients can shape microbial activity and structure. Much information is available on the role of defined prebiotic fibers on gut microbiota, but less known are the effects of intact dietary fiber sources on healthy gut ecosystems. This research investigated in vitro the short-term effect of 22 commercially available food sources of dietary fiber on gut microbiota activity [pH, gas, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), branched fatty acids (BCFA), lactate] and specific composition of Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, bifidobacteria, and lactobacilli populations. More than 80% (19 of 22) of the products were highly fermentable and induced SCFAs production, with specific product differences. In general, all the whole grain cereals had a similar effect on gut microbiota modulation, inducing acetate and butyrate production and increasing bifidobacteria levels. Incorporating and comparing a large variety of products, including “non-conventional” fiber sources, like konjac, bamboo fiber, or seeds fiber, about which there is little information, contributes to our knowledge on the modulatory activity of diverse food fiber sources on human gut microbiota, and therefore potential health promotion through dietary fiber diversification.

Using the experience of a team at a large, U.S.-based foundation over a four-year period, this article examines four essential tools for cultivating high-performing teams in the philanthropic sector.

Cereal fibers are known to increase fecal weight and speed transit time, but far less data are available on the effects of fruits and vegetable fibers on regularity. This study provides a comprehensive review of the impact of these three fiber sources on regularity in healthy humans. We identified English-language intervention studies on dietary fibers and regularity and performed weighted linear regression analyses for fecal weight and transit time. Cereal and vegetable fiber groups had comparable effects on fecal weight; both contributed to it more than fruit fibers. Less fermentable fibers increased fecal weight to a greater degree than more fermentable fibers. Dietary fiber did not change transit time in those with an initial time of <48 h. In those with an initial transit time ≥48 h, transit time was reduced by approximately 30 min per gram of cereal, fruit or vegetable fibers, regardless of fermentability. Cereal fibers have been studied more than any other kind in relation to regularity. This is the first comprehensive review comparing the effects of the three major food sources of fiber on bowel function and regularity since 1993.

The effects of an enzyme-hydrolyzed arabinoxylan from wheat (AXOS) versus an intact arabinoxylan from flax (FLAX) added to a ready-to-eat cereal (RTEC) on the postprandial appetitive, hormonal, and metabolic responses in overweight women (BMI 25.0–29.9 kg/m2) were evaluated. Subsequent meal energy intake was also assessed. Two randomized, double-blind, crossover design studies were completed. For trial 1, the participants consumed the following RTEC breakfast, matched for total weight and varied in energy content: low-fiber (LF, 4 g); high-fiber (HF, 15 g) as either AXOS or FLAX. For trial 2, the participants consumed LF, HF-AXOS, and HF-FLAX RTECs but also consumed another LF breakfast that was isocaloric (LF-iso) to that of the HF breakfasts. Perceived appetite and blood samples (trial 2 only) were assessed before and after breakfast. An ad libitum lunch was offered 4 h post-breakfast. No differences in postprandial appetite responses were observed among any breakfasts in either trial. The HF-AXOS and HF-FLAX led to increased postprandial GLP-1 and peptide YY (PYY) concentrations vs. LF-iso. No differences were observed in lunch meal energy intake among breakfast meals in either trial. Collectively, these data suggest that 15 g of low molecular weight fiber added to RTECs did not affect perceived appetite or subsequent energy intake despite differences in satiety hormone signaling in overweight females.

The average American consumes only half of the recommended daily intake of fiber, and despite dietary guidance to increase intake, fiber consumption has not increased. Thus, additional consumer choices and consumer-oriented messaging on the sources and benefits of fiber is warranted. Fiber, in particular cereal fiber, is associated with protection against development of gastrointestinal disorders such as constipation, as well as weight gain, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and total mortality. Fiber in cereal grains is primarily located in the bran: wheat bran is 4 times higher in fiber than whole grain wheat and more than 10 times higher in fiber than white wheat flour. Cereal fiber and bran contain fewer calories than whole grains or white flour, and bran is a concentrated source of other bioactive compounds that may contribute to many of the health benefits associated with cereal fiber and whole grains. Formulating foods with cereal fiber and bran would provide consumers with more choices for ...

The present article articulates principles for effective public-private partnerships (PPPs) in scientific research. Recognizing that PPPs represent one approach for creating research collaborations and that there are other methods outside the scope of this article, PPPs can be useful in leveraging diverse expertise among government, academic, and industry researchers to address public health needs and questions concerned with nutrition, health, food science, and food and ingredient safety. A three-step process was used to identify the principles proposed herein: step 1) review of existing PPP guidelines, both in the peer-reviewed literature and at 16 disparate non-industry organizations; step 2) analysis of relevant successful or promising PPPs; and step 3) formal background interviews of 27 experienced, senior-level individuals from academia, government, industry, foundations, and non-governmental organizations. This process resulted in the articulation of 12 potential principles for establishing and managing successful research PPPs. The review of existing guidelines showed that guidelines for research partnerships currently reside largely within institutions rather than in the peer-reviewed literature. This article aims to introduce these principles into the literature to serve as a framework for dialogue and for future PPPs.

In Brief There are several nutrients found to be inadequate in the American diet, but fiber deficit is one of worst. Nearly all Americans fall short in meeting daily fiber recommendations, on average missing target intakes by nearly one-half. This alarmingly low intake has important implications for public health, given the established role of fiber in health promotion and disease risk reduction. The fiber deficit persists despite efforts to promote greater intakes of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. However, these approaches also need to address energy balance and the problem of overconsumption of calories. As reported in parts 1 and 2 of this series, whole grains are positioned in dietary guidance as an important source of fiber, and consumers are choosing these foods with the expectation of getting a good source of fiber, yet the amount of fiber in whole-grain products can vary widely. This article will explore the role of fiber added to food as a complementary tactic to help improve intakes of total fiber without adding unnecessary calories. Fortification and other additions of fi ber to foods can be helpful, but also it is tricky to do well.