Researchers in Japan examined whether or not numerous mixtures of blackcurrant extract and PHGG might enhance the presence of helpful micro organism within the intestine of rugby gamers, utilizing a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Blackcurrant comprises anthocyanins, which have antioxidant and anti inflammatory results and will improve intestine microbiota and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) manufacturing, and PHGG, a prebiotic fiber derived from guar beans, has additionally been proven to help butyrate-producing micro organism and enhance SCFA ranges.
Dysbiosis in athletes
Previous research discovered that male college rugby gamers confirmed indicators of intestine dysbiosis, in comparison with non-athlete friends, an imbalance steered to stem from their intense coaching and dietary habits.
To take care of power and replenish glycogen, athletes sometimes devour excessive quantities of carbohydrates and protein however restrict fiber consumption to keep away from digestive discomfort, nonetheless, low fiber consumption can cut back microbial variety and performance, contributing to dysbiosis.
Though common train advantages intestine well being, high-intensity train could hurt it by rising intestinal permeability, irritation, and oxidative stress, all of which promote bacterial imbalance and the overgrowth of dangerous microbes.
Examine particulars
The researchers recruited 88 wholesome male rugby gamers who educated at the very least six days per week and had no recognized gastrointestinal points.
They randomly assigned contributors to 4 teams for 4 weeks of supplementation: the placebo group (PC) obtained 6 g per day of maltodextrin and placebo tablets; the blackcurrant (BC) group obtained 6 g per day of placebo powder and blackcurrant extract tablets; the guar gum group got 6 g per day of PHGG and placebo tablets; and the mix (GG) group took 6 g a day of PHGG and blackcurrant extract tablets.
The contributors submitted fecal samples at baseline and week 4, and 64 of these had been recognized as having potential intestine dysbiosis primarily based on SCFA focus evaluation at baseline. Following the intervention, the researchers additionally assessed dietary consumption by a questionnaire.
Outcomes confirmed that whereas the interventions didn’t alter the general intestine microbiota construction, they did shift the relative abundance of sure helpful micro organism. For instance, Megasphaera spp. elevated within the BC and GG teams, whereas Bifidobacterium spp. elevated within the CO group. Solely the BC group confirmed a major enhance in complete fecal SCFAs.
In a subgroup evaluation of contributors with dysbiosis, all intervention teams confirmed vital will increase in SCFAs, suggesting that blackcurrant extract and PHGG improved intestine microbial exercise relatively than neighborhood construction.
Additional evaluation revealed will increase in helpful micro organism resembling Megasphaera, Phascolarctobacterium, and Veillonellaspp., which metabolize to provide helpful SCFAs. PHGG consumption was additionally proven to extend Faecalibacterium spp., which is thought for its anti-inflammatory results. Nonetheless, within the CO group, a lower in Lachnospiraceae was noticed regardless of rising SCFA ranges, suggesting that useful exercise adjustments relatively than taxonomic shifts could clarify the outcomes.
Whereas mixed consumption confirmed some helpful results, it didn’t result in statistically vital synergistic outcomes. The researchers recommend that the blackcurrant extract and PHGG might have acted competitively, writing that completely different dosages is perhaps wanted to attain synergy.
Because the findings are restricted to male Japanese college rugby gamers, the researchers write that future analysis ought to discover their results in different populations and over longer durations, utilizing superior omics strategies to make clear mechanisms of motion.
Supply: Microorganisms 2025, 13(7), 1561; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13071561 “Results of Blackcurrant Extract and Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum Consumption on Intestine Dysbiosis in Male College Rugby Gamers.” Authors: Miura, H. et al.
