A Multi-Digestive Enzyme and Herbal Dietary Supplement Reduces Bloating in a Single Use in Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Cross Over Study

Figures & data

Figure 1 CONSORT Flow Diagram.

Table 1 Difference Score Results from Waist Circumference Measures

	Difference Score from Baseline to 30 Minutes	Difference Score from Baseline to 90 Minutes
Test Product	−0.63 (1.57)	−0.67 (1.92)
Placebo	−1.50 (0.94)	−2.12 (1.55)
T-Test P value	0.040	0.007

The means and standard deviations (in parentheses) of the difference scores are displayed in table above. The difference in scores was calculated by subtracting the measurement at the time post-meal from the baseline measurement (negative numbers represent a larger circumference after the meal than at baseline).

Table 2 Means and Standard Deviations of Common Gastrointestinal Issues After the Test Meal

	Test Product		Placebo
	30 Minutes Post Meal	90 Minutes Post Meal	30 Minutes Post Meal	90 Minutes Post Meal
Bloating	2.45 (0.69)	2.05 (0.69)	2.50 (0.69)	2.15 (0.88)
Distended Stomach	2.30 (0.87)	2.20 (0.89)	2.35 (0.81)	2.10 (0.85)
Gas	1.70 (0.80)	1.45 (0.83)	1.40 (0.68)	1.60 (0.82)
Indigestion	1.40 (0.68)	1.40 (0.68)	1.50 (0.61)	1.50 (0.69)

The means and standard deviations of the variables are included in each cell. The response options for participants were absent (1), mild (2), moderate (3), or severe (4).

Table 3 Descriptive Data from the Likert Scale Questions

	Test Product	Placebo	P value
The test product helped me feel less bloated than I normally do after a meal.	3.40 (0.94)	3.15 (1.14)	0.46
I felt less stomach discomfort after the meal than I normally do.	3.65 (0.99)	3.20 (1.15)	0.21
My stomach felt less distended after taking this supplement than it normally does.	3.20 (1.15)	3.15 (1.18)	0.88
I felt less gassy than normal.	3.45 (1.09)	3.50 (1.05)	0.86
I felt less indigestion after the meal than I normally do.	3.45 (0.89)	3.40 (1.05)	0.86
I felt the product helped me digest better.	3.55 (0.89)	3.00 (1.21)	0.07
I would like to continue using the product	3.80 (1.01)	3.30 (1.34)	0.04

Notes: The means and standard deviations of the questions divided by the test group. The response options were 1 (strongly disagree), 2 (disagree), 3 (neither agree nor disagree), 4 (agree), and 5 (strongly agree). The P value column represents the P value from the dependent t-test conducted on values in the same row.

Abbreviations: GI, gastrointestinal; IBS, Irritable Bowel Syndrome; GERD, Gastroesophageal reflux disease; FODMAP, fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols.

Data Sharing Statement

Deidentified data are available upon written Email request to the author.