The effects of prebiotic partially hydrolyzed guar gum on skin hydration: A randomized, open-label, parallel, controlled study in healthy humans

Abstract

Dose-response of prebiotic partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) dietary fiber supports the gut microbiome abundance and improves gastrointestinal health, which is imperative for healthy skin. In this 12 week of open-label randomized, paralleled, and controlled study, we investigated the role of PHGG on skin barrier function including the measurements of the stratum corneum hydration levels using the non-invasive electrical methods along with a questionnaire to determine near-surface hydration distribution, micro-topography and texture properties of the skin. Healthy male and female volunteers (N = 49; M 34 & F 15; mean age: 35.6 ± 3.2 years) were recruited. Study subjects were randomized into three groups (U0: non-ingestion; U1: 6 g/day PHGG; and U2: 12 g/day PHGG). The moisture content of the skin stratum corneum and skin texture parameters were determined at baseline (0 W), after 4 weeks (4 W), 8 weeks (8 W), and 12 weeks (12 W). The result indicates ingestion of 6 and 12 g/day PHGG dietary fiber helps maintain a constant moisture level in the surface skin stratum corneum (i.e. prevents drying skin conditions) during seasonal fluctuations. An amelioration of bowel movement reported in the study may show a link between improved gut environment and increased hydration level of the skin stratum corneum that prevents dryness, roughness, and textural disorder to the skin during winter conditions. In summary, the consumption of prebiotic PHGG dietary fiber could be pivotal to increased formation of bacterially produced metabolites that strengthen the skin integrity and regulate the moisture content of the skin stratum corneum.

Keywords

• Stratum corneum
• Skin moisture
• Dietary fiber
• Partially hydrolyzed guar gum
• Moisture-Mapping
• Skin conductance