Am J Clin Nutr. 2026 Apr 3:101305. doi: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2026.101305. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Prebiotic fiber supplementation increases calcium absorption but its long-term effects on bone mass are mixed in children and adolescents.
OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of one-year soluble corn fiber (SCF) supplementation compared to Placebo (maltodextrin; Main comparison), with or without calcium (calcium gluconate; Secondary comparison) on bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD) in children and adolescents with low habitual calcium intake through a randomized clinical trial. We hypothesized that SCF supplementation will result in higher bone mass.
METHODS: Healthy children and adolescents (9-14 years old) with usual low calcium intake were recruited and randomized for 1 year to SCF (12 g/d) or Placebo (12 mg/d), with or without calcium (600 mg/d). Bone mass was measured using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at baseline, 6 months and 12 months. Results are shown as mean±SD. Statistical analyses included linear mixed-effects and analysis of variance.
RESULTS: 213 participants were recruited and 177 were randomized. Most were White (41.3%), Hispanic (69.5%) and with healthy weight (74.0%). Girls had significantly higher Tanner score (3.10±1.20) compared to boys (2.30±1.20; p<0.001) and a significantly higher body fat % (p<0.05), therefore, results were stratified by sex. Among completers (n=151), whole-body BMC and BMD significantly increased from baseline to 6-months and to 12-months. In girls, 1-year gain in whole-body BMC was higher with SCF (216.3±138.3 g or 18.8%) compared to Placebo (139.9±84.0 g, 12.9%) after adjusting for age, Tanner stage, height velocity, weight velocity, lean mass velocity, fat mass velocity, and compliance (p<0.05). Similar results were found for BMD in girls. This was not observed in boys or when calcium supplementation was added.
CONCLUSIONS: 1-year supplementation with SCF resulted in a higher whole-body BMC and BMD compared to Placebo in girls only. This effect could have potential long-term benefits on bone mass acquisition in girls.
CLINICALTRIALS: GOV: NCT02916862; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02916862 CLINICALTRIALS.
GOV REGISTRATION: NCT02916862.
PMID:41936980 | DOI:10.1016/j.ajcnut.2026.101305
