Wheat bran affects the site of fermentation of resistant starch and luminal indexes related to colon cancer risk: A study in pigs

Abstract

Background - Recent studies suggest that resistant starch (effective in producing butyrate and lowering possibly toxic ammonia) is rapidly fermented in the proximal colon; the distal colon especially would, however, benefit from these properties of resistant starch. Aims - To determine whether wheat bran (a rich source of insoluble non-starch polysaccharides), known to hasten gastrointestinal transits could carry resistant starch through to the distal colon and thus shift its site of fermentation. Methods - Twenty four pigs were fed four human type diets: a control diet, or control diet supplemented with resistant starch, wheat bran, or both. Intestinal contents and faeces were collected aft..