Impact of a Dried Vegetable on Bowel Function and Gut Microbiota

Inclusion Criteria: * 20 - 80 years old * Unsatisfied with bowel functions (self-reported), rated on a visual analogue scale (VAS, 0-10) as less than 6 * Four or less bowel movements per week (low stool frequency) and/or * Hard, lumpy or solid stools (Bristol stool form 1-4) during 90% of bowel movements (hard to solid consistency) * Able to read and understand Dutch or English Exclusion Criteria: * Having a history of medical or surgical events that may significantly affect the study outcome: e.g., IBS or IBD patients and subjects with medically diagnosed constipation (i.e., constipation related to anatomic, medication-related, or readily identifiable physiological causes.) * Less than one bowel movement per week during the screening * Medical drug use: * Antibiotic use within 3 months of the study screenings day * Chronic use of antacids and PPI's * Use of laxatives during the screening * Chronic use of blood glucose lowering medication * Consumption of supplements containing fibres (other than laxatives), pro-/ post-/ synbiotics 1 month before the screening * Not willing to provide faecal samples * Unable to comply with proper study procedures * For women of childbearing age: current or planned pregnancy, lactation * Known allergic reactions to plants from the Asteraceae (Compositae) family (e.g., lettuce, daisies, sunflowers, artichokes, sage, tarragon, chamomile, chicory etc.) * Reported unexplained weight loss or weight gain of greater than 5 kg in the month prior to pre-study screening * Reported slimming or medically prescribed diet * Reported macrobiotic lifestyle * Personnel the Division of Human Nutrition \& Health or the Laboratory of Microbiology * Current participation in other medical scientific research * Not having a general practitioner * Not willing to be informed about accidental discoveries in relation to the subjects health