High fermentable fibre bread consumption and the bowel health of Australian parents and caregivers of children.

INTERVENTION: Participants will consume 3 slices of bread high in fermentable fibre containing a blend of high fibre grains that include BARLEYmax (providing a total of 17 g fibre) daily, for 2 weeks. The bread will be delivered to the participant’s home. Participants will complete a daily log via a mobile app or paper‐based diary to assess protocol compliance, adverse events and use of concomitant medications. Participants will have a 4 week washout period between intervention/control where they will be advised to continue their regular diet. CONDITION: Oral and Gastrointestinal ‐ Other diseases of the mouth, teeth, oesophagus, digestive system including liver and colon Diet and Nutrition ‐ Other diet and nutrition disorders Poor gut health;Low fibre consumption; ; Poor gut health ; Low fibre consumption PRIMARY OUTCOME: short chain fatty acid producing bacteria (%relative abundance) assessed using a stool sample[Baseline, 2 weeks post‐intervention commencement] SECONDARY OUTCOME: Gut comfort assessed using the Patient Assessment of Constipation‐Symptoms (PAC‐SYM) questionnaire (no units)[Baseline, 2 weeks post‐intervention commencement] Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio assessed in stool samples[Baseline, 2 weeks post‐intervention commencement] Microbial diversity assessed in stool samples[Baseline, 2 weeks post‐intervention commencement] Stool consistency assessed using the Bristol stool rating chart (no units)[Baseline, 2 weeks post‐intervention commencement] INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Male or Female individuals 2. Aged 22 to 55 years of age at clinic screen 3. Be a parent or carer for at least one, primary school aged child aged 5 to 12 years 4. BMI 18.5 to 29.9 at time of clinic screening 5. Willing to maintain body weight for the duration of the study (i.e. no more than 3 kg weight loss/gain). 6. Located within 15km of Ashwood, Melbourne. 7. Access to a smartphone and willing to download and use free applications from the app store 8. Access to a personal email inbox 9. Willing and able to provide Informed Consent 10. Understand the study requirements, including faecal sampling and willing to adhere closely to prescribed food consumption as per the research protocol. 11. Willing to maintain regular dietary pattern and level of physical activity