Effects of a Food Supplement with a Wild Thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) Extract on Gut Health and the Microbiome in Humans: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
Background: Based on the scientific and traditional knowledge,
benefits for gut and digestive health were expected from Wild Thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) extract (WThE) consumption, but no controlled human studies were performed
yet to prove the proposed health benefits. Method: The aim of this human
randomized, double-blind parallel arm pilot study was to explore the impact of
aqueous Wild Thyme extract, a food supplement, in a healthy but overweight
study collective (N = 40). In detail, the impact on digestion, gastrointestinal
symptoms, gut microbiome, and quality of life by employing an essential
oil-free WThE preparation or a matching placebo was investigated. Results: The study results indicate that WThE has the potential to improve
gastrointestinal symptoms and increase stool frequency, thus an improved
quality of life was observed. The stool microbiome of study collective was
characterized by a high Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio. A decrease in the mean Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio
was seen in WThE group. Conclusion: The data support the potential applications
of WThE as a food supplement with benefits on gut health.
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