Impact of Different Carbohydrate Feedings on a Hydrogen Breath Curve and Self-reported Gastrointestinal Complaints

GI distress is widely prevalent among athletes, ranging from 30 to 90% in recreationally and professionally active athletes. As the recipient of nutrients, the gastrointestinal (GI) tract plays an important role in athleticism. The following pilot project aims to better understand if a fructose load after hiking under heat stress will result in a meaningful hydrogen breath elevation as a marker for malabsorption in healthy participants, and if supplementation of a multi-ingredient fermented whey supplement will result in a different hydrogen breath response rate after a heat stress hiking test.

Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy subjects living in the United States. * Women/Men aged between 18-60 years (50-50%). * BMI value between ≥18.5 and ≤ 30 kg/m2. * No physical limitations (i.e., able to perform all activities associated with daily living in an independent manner). * Written informed consent. * Completed PAR-Q+ without any "yes" responses. * If currently using chronically or intermittently, willing to stop taking pre- and probiotics beginning 1 month prior to and throughout data collection. * If currently using chronically or intermittently, willing to stop using laxatives or fiber supplements, antacids and prokinetics beginning 1 month prior to and throughout data collection. Exclusion Criteria: * Smoking. * Clinical or self-perceived lactose intolerance. * Clinical or self-perceived milk protein allergy. * Diagnosed GI tract disorders or diseases. * Musculoskeletal disorders. * Diagnosed metabolic disorders (such as diabetes). * Use of any medications known to affect protein metabolism (i.e., corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, or prescribed acne medications). * Chronic use of gastric acid suppressing medication or anti-coagulants. * Chronic use of anti-inflammatory medication. * Unwilling to stop taking pre- and probiotics beginning 1 month prior to and throughout data collection. * Unwilling to stop using laxatives or fiber supplements, antacids and prokinetics beginning 1 month prior to and throughout data collection.