STOMACH bloating and its associated symptoms are a perennial source of grief for many people. A recent study suggests a certain type of algae, when taken in supplement form, can improve symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) such as stomach bloating.
Stomach bloating is a common side effect of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition that affects the digestive system. Along with bloating, IBS sufferers are often afflicted with constipation and stomach pain or cramps. Unfortunately, there’s no quick-fix solution for IBS, but making healthy lifestyle choices has been shown to alleviate symptoms.
According to results published in the Journal of Functional Foods, there may be a promising new solution in the offing.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego recently completed the first study examining the effects of consuming a green algae called C. reinhardtii.
The researchers demonstrated that the algae improves human gastrointestinal issues associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) such as diarrhoea, gas and bloating.
“People have been looking at this algae for decades, but this is the first study to show what many of us have suspected – it’s good for you,” said principal investigator and algae expert Stephen Mayfield, a distinguished professor in UC San Diego’s Division of Biological Sciences and co-director of the Food and Fuel for the 21st Century Program (FF21).
He continued: “This is exciting because it demonstrates a clear benefit: If you have IBS-like symptoms, this is good for you.”
For years researchers in Mayfield’s laboratory have been exploring C. reinhardtii as a cost-competitive and sustainable source of valuable plant-based products, specifically pharmaceuticals and biofuels.
Now, working with several collaborators, including UC San Diego’s John Chang (School of Medicine), Rob Knight (School of Medicine, Jacobs School of Engineering and Center for Microbiome Innovation) and the San Diego-based startup Triton Algae Innovations, they turned their attention towards investigating the algae as a nutritious food additive for improving human health.
Preliminary data in mouse studies demonstrated that consuming C. reinhardtii significantly reduced the rate of weight loss in mice with acute colitis, which is generally linked to inflammation of the digestive tract.
