Abstract
There is increased scientific interest in the effects of nutrition on cognition and well-being. Plant sourced polysaccharides
play multiple roles in the biological processes required for health and well-being. This study explored the subjective experiential
reports of well-being following intake of a plant derived polysaccharide supplement. The study used a 12 week double-blind,
placebo controlled polysaccharide supplementation design. 109 middle-aged adults (45–60 years) took a standardised teaspoon
of a combination of plant polysaccharides or a placebo twice daily for 12 weeks (3.6 g per day), and completed three, open-ended
interviews at weeks 4, 8 and 12. Participants who took the polysaccharide supplement reported significantly more perceived
beneficial changes in both physical and psychological well-being, specifically at week 12, compared to those who received
the placebo. This study provides a starting point for understanding the perceived beneficial impact of polysaccharide interventions
on aspects of well-being. Importantly, as a health-related application of polysaccharide science, this research supports the
relationship that is emerging between the properties and function of polysaccharides. It is essential that future research
assesses the effects of polysaccharide intake on a range of physical and psychological well-being outcomes to further the
understanding of structure-function relationships with the aim of enhancing the functional health and well-being of individuals.
play multiple roles in the biological processes required for health and well-being. This study explored the subjective experiential
reports of well-being following intake of a plant derived polysaccharide supplement. The study used a 12 week double-blind,
placebo controlled polysaccharide supplementation design. 109 middle-aged adults (45–60 years) took a standardised teaspoon
of a combination of plant polysaccharides or a placebo twice daily for 12 weeks (3.6 g per day), and completed three, open-ended
interviews at weeks 4, 8 and 12. Participants who took the polysaccharide supplement reported significantly more perceived
beneficial changes in both physical and psychological well-being, specifically at week 12, compared to those who received
the placebo. This study provides a starting point for understanding the perceived beneficial impact of polysaccharide interventions
on aspects of well-being. Importantly, as a health-related application of polysaccharide science, this research supports the
relationship that is emerging between the properties and function of polysaccharides. It is essential that future research
assesses the effects of polysaccharide intake on a range of physical and psychological well-being outcomes to further the
understanding of structure-function relationships with the aim of enhancing the functional health and well-being of individuals.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s11482-011-9158-2
- Authors
- Talitha Best, School of Psychology, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
- Eva Kemps, School of Psychology, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
- Janet Bryan, School of Psychology, Social Work and Social Policy, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
- Journal Applied Research in Quality of Life
- Online ISSN 1871-2576
- Print ISSN 1871-2584