Tannin Phytocomplex Improves IBS-D Symptoms and Gut-Brain Markers : Prospective Pilot Study
(2026) In Molecular Nutrition and Food Research 70(8).- Abstract
Diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) is a multifactorial disorder involving gut-brain axis dysregulation, altered barrier integrity, microbial imbalance, and stress-related mechanisms, with limited nutritional strategies targeting these pathways. Tannin-rich extracts may exert barrier-protective, microbiota-modulating, and stress-related effects. In a prospective before-after pilot study (NCT05207618), 28 adults with IBS‑D completed a 60‑day tannin-based supplementation (480 mg/day). Outcomes included IBS Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS), bowel habits, somatization, perceived stress, serum zonulin, faecal short-chain fatty acids, and hydrogen breath test. Linear mixed models assessed changes over time. IBS-SSS... (More)
Diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) is a multifactorial disorder involving gut-brain axis dysregulation, altered barrier integrity, microbial imbalance, and stress-related mechanisms, with limited nutritional strategies targeting these pathways. Tannin-rich extracts may exert barrier-protective, microbiota-modulating, and stress-related effects. In a prospective before-after pilot study (NCT05207618), 28 adults with IBS‑D completed a 60‑day tannin-based supplementation (480 mg/day). Outcomes included IBS Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS), bowel habits, somatization, perceived stress, serum zonulin, faecal short-chain fatty acids, and hydrogen breath test. Linear mixed models assessed changes over time. IBS-SSS decreased by an estimated mean of 70 points (95% CI: 34–107; p < 0.0001); stool consistency improved by 1.38 (95% CI: 0.72 to 2.05; p < 0.0001), and bowel movements/day decreased by 0.84 (95% CI: 0.08 to 1.71; P = 0.028). Somatization and stress scores declined significantly (both P ≤ 0.003). Zonulin dropped (P < 0.0001), butyrate increased (p = 0.001), and propionate decreased (p = 0.017). Hydrogen-positive subjects at baseline (3/28) were all negative at 60 days. No adverse events occurred. This pilot suggests a tannin-based phytocomplex may improve gastrointestinal and psychological symptoms in IBS-D, with biomarker changes indicating enhanced barrier function and microbial metabolism. Larger trials are warranted.
(Less)
- author
- Molino, Silvia ; Piskorz, María M. ; Lerma-Aguilera, Alberto LU ; Mingorance, Fabiana López ; Gutierrez, Cielo ; Montero, Juan M. ; Uehara, Tatiana ; Hashimoto, Harumi ; Ballerga, Esteban González and Olmos, Jorge A.
- organization
- publishing date
- 2026-04
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Clinical Pilot study, Gut-Brain Axis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Short Chain Fatty Acids, Tannins
- in
- Molecular Nutrition and Food Research
- volume
- 70
- issue
- 8
- article number
- e70451
- publisher
- John Wiley & Sons Inc.
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:105036118993
- pmid:42003449
- ISSN
- 1613-4125
- DOI
- 10.1002/mnfr.70451
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 2a89ffba-fd2f-4734-9c6d-ea32c0554c36
- date added to LUP
- 2026-05-25 11:43:14
- date last changed
- 2026-08-04 23:04:53
@article{2a89ffba-fd2f-4734-9c6d-ea32c0554c36,
abstract = {{<p>Diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) is a multifactorial disorder involving gut-brain axis dysregulation, altered barrier integrity, microbial imbalance, and stress-related mechanisms, with limited nutritional strategies targeting these pathways. Tannin-rich extracts may exert barrier-protective, microbiota-modulating, and stress-related effects. In a prospective before-after pilot study (NCT05207618), 28 adults with IBS‑D completed a 60‑day tannin-based supplementation (480 mg/day). Outcomes included IBS Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS), bowel habits, somatization, perceived stress, serum zonulin, faecal short-chain fatty acids, and hydrogen breath test. Linear mixed models assessed changes over time. IBS-SSS decreased by an estimated mean of 70 points (95% CI: 34–107; p < 0.0001); stool consistency improved by 1.38 (95% CI: 0.72 to 2.05; p < 0.0001), and bowel movements/day decreased by 0.84 (95% CI: 0.08 to 1.71; P = 0.028). Somatization and stress scores declined significantly (both P ≤ 0.003). Zonulin dropped (P < 0.0001), butyrate increased (p = 0.001), and propionate decreased (p = 0.017). Hydrogen-positive subjects at baseline (3/28) were all negative at 60 days. No adverse events occurred. This pilot suggests a tannin-based phytocomplex may improve gastrointestinal and psychological symptoms in IBS-D, with biomarker changes indicating enhanced barrier function and microbial metabolism. Larger trials are warranted.</p>}},
author = {{Molino, Silvia and Piskorz, María M. and Lerma-Aguilera, Alberto and Mingorance, Fabiana López and Gutierrez, Cielo and Montero, Juan M. and Uehara, Tatiana and Hashimoto, Harumi and Ballerga, Esteban González and Olmos, Jorge A.}},
issn = {{1613-4125}},
keywords = {{Clinical Pilot study; Gut-Brain Axis; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Short Chain Fatty Acids; Tannins}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{8}},
publisher = {{John Wiley & Sons Inc.}},
series = {{Molecular Nutrition and Food Research}},
title = {{Tannin Phytocomplex Improves IBS-D Symptoms and Gut-Brain Markers : Prospective Pilot Study}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.70451}},
doi = {{10.1002/mnfr.70451}},
volume = {{70}},
year = {{2026}},
}