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Fecal characteristics in healthy young adults consuming defined liquid diets or a free-choice diet

1981; Elsevier BV; Volume: 34; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1093/ajcn/34.3.357

1938-3207

C. Lawrence Kien, Angel Cordano, David A. Cook, V. R. Young,

Gastrointestinal motility and disorders

Fat and nitrogen absorption and fecal characteristics were studied in 10 healthy, young adults who ingested a free-choice diet for 12 days and then isocaloric amounts of one of two nutritionally complete liquid defined formula diets during a succeeding 12-day period. Apparent fat absorption was 98 to 99% of intake with both defined formula diets and 95% of intake on the free-choice diet. Nitrogen digestibility was determined during the liquid diet period, and averaged 95 to 98% of intake. There were no statistically significant differences between the liquid diets and the free-choice diets with respect to fecal wet or dry weight, transit time, or stool frequency. Individual stool weights averaged 83 to 96 g on the free-choice or liquid formula diets and were comparable to other values reported in the literature. These results support the theory that a critical volume of feces must accumulate in the colon before defecation occurs, regardless of diet composition.