Effects of Dietary Fiber on Gastrointestinal Function

The study is a blinded, cross-over design with subjects completing three, two-week treatment periods, separated by two, two-week washouts. Volunteers will consume a dietary fiber for two of the treatment periods at two dose levels. The fiber will be added to foods and dispensed to subjects to be consumed twice a day during each treatment period. During the control period, subjects will receive the same study foods, but with no added fiber. Major outcomes will include fecal weight, and responses to questionnaires that assess fecal characteristics, bowel habits and gastrointestinal tolerability.