Researchers from the University of Naples in Italy found the supplement regulated bowel movements in participants with both diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) and constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C).
“This is the first randomized clinical trial to highlight the ability of a tannin complex to treat disorders with opposite symptomatology such as diarrhea and constipation,” the researchers wrote in Nutrients.
Are tannins beneficial for people with IBS?
IBS is considered a disorder of gut–brain interaction, with bowel-related symptoms considered of equal importance to mental symptoms, such as depression and anxiety.
While several types of IBS treatment are available, the researchers noted that these interventions typically treat a specific single symptom and do not consider the disorder as a whole.
Tannins are secondary plant metabolites which have been extensively studied for managing IBS-related impairments. However, most research has looked at tannins in the context of IBS-D, with few studies analyzing its impact on patients with constipation and the related mental health effects.
The researchers therefore set out to explore the impact of a supplement containing quebracho wood extract and chestnut extract (both of which are high in tannins) on IBS symptoms and quality of life measures.
Study details
The study included 156 participants between the ages of 18 and 70, all of whom had a moderate form of IBS according to Rome IV criteria.
Participants were randomized 1:1 to receive either a placebo or Welltan Complex (240 g), manufactured by Silvateam, twice a day at lunch and dinner for 56 days. The randomization was further stratified by three forms of irritable bowel syndrome—IBS-C, IBS-D or IBS-M (mixed symptoms).
Clinical health status was measured at baseline and at the end of the trial through self-administered questionnaires including the IBS-Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS), IBS-Quality of Life (IBS-QoL) and Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI).
No specific diet was followed, but participants were not allowed to take any other dietary supplements. Participants also kept a bowel function diary to evaluate any changes to stool consistency and bowel movements.
Significant improvements in IBS symptom severity
The treatment groups showed significant improvements compared to the placebo group in relation to IBS-SSS scores, with symptoms improving from moderate to mild.
In the IBS-C group, the number of bowel movements per week was significantly higher in the treatment arm compared to the placebo arm. Conversely, in the treated IBS-D group, the number of evacuations significantly decreased, suggesting the supplement could have a positive effect for those who are prone to diarrhea.
Molino, lead author of the study and Research and Development Manager at Silvateam, and her team noted that while it might seem ‘unusual’ that tannin-based supplements could be used as a treatment for both subtypes of IBS, the effects could be explained by the supplement’s ability to positively modulate intestinal microbiota.
“[Previous research] has highlighted how tannin supplementation could modulate specific taxa, which have a direct correlation with both intestinal discomfort intestinal symptoms and psychological distress,” they wrote.
“In addition, the product also showed the ability to modulate microbiota activity by regulating the production of short chain fatty acids. These included a reduction in the production of formate, which has been reported to be responsible for the onset of intestinal bloating and inflammation.”
Intestinal and mental relief
Supplementation with the tannin-based phytocomplex also appeared to improve participants’ quality of life according to two self-assessment questionnaires—the IBS-QoL and the GIQLI.
While the improvement recorded in the IBS-QoL was moderate, the researchers reported that the GIQLI score mean value almost corresponded to an ‘excellent’ quality of life.
As a result, the researchers suggested that the tannin complex product provides both intestinal and mental relief, representing a possible solution for the management of IBS.
“The use of a supplement based on chestnut and quebracho tannins presents great application potential in the management of IBS-related disorders, with the peculiarity of resolving opposite symptoms, such as diarrhea and constipation, indiscriminately,” they concluded.
Source: Nutrients. doi: 10.3390/nu17030552. “Improving Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Symptoms and Quality of Life with Quebracho and Chestnut Tannin-Based Supplementation: A Single-Centre, Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.” Authors: S. Molino, et al.
