Subjects experienced positive results without having to change their diets, demonstrating that the ingredients may be well-suited for a personalized nutrition approach.
A study recently published in Frontiers of Nutrition1 examined how the inclusion of a slow-release carbohydrate isomaltulose and prebiotic inulin-type fructans into a habitual diet impacts glycemic control and gut microbiota. In the study, 117 subjects participated in a digital nutrition program that including 14-day continuous glucose measurement. During testing, subjects were allowed to freely choose meals, but on select days were asked to consume either sucrose or the branded isomaltulose from Beneo (Parsippany, NJ) called Palatinose with their breakfast or lunch. Sucrose drinks were consumed on days 2, 7, and 12, while the isomaltulose drinks were consumed on days 3, 8, and 13. On day four and onward, participants were asked to take 10 grams of the branded prebiotic inulin-type fructans called OraftiSynergy1 with their dinner.
Results showed that two-hour glycemic response following breakfast with isomaltulose was significantly lower compared to breakfast with sucrose at the middle and end of the test phase. Glucose peak was also consistently lower after breakfast and lunch with isomaltulose compared to sucrose, but this was only statistically significantly after breakfast at the beginning of the test phase. Peak glucose also occurred later with the consumption of isomaltulose, compared to sucrose. Researchers also measured glucose variability, and found significant differences at the beginning and end of the test phase between isomaltulose and sucrose, indicating that subjects taking isomaltulose experience lower glucose oscillations.
With the addition of the inulin-type fructans, results showed that irrespective of the carbohydrate consumed, there was a significant decrease in glycemic variability over time. After analyzing microbiome composition of subjects taking inulin-type fructans, researchers found that on a phylum level, relative abundance of Actinobacteria significantly increased. Results also showed that the relative abundance of the genera Bifidobacteria, Collinsella, and Anaerostipes increased, while Eubacterium decreased.
“For the first time, the health benefits of our ingredients that have already been proven in numerous clinical studies under controlled circumstances, are now confirmed in complex real-life situations,” Anke Sentko, Beneo’s vice president of regulatory affairs & nutrition communication, in a press release. “These recent study results show that food choices matter and demonstrate how functional ingredients can help to support health. The study design also demonstrates that both Beneo’s Palatinose and OraftiSynergy1 deliver health benefits in the context of personalized nutrition by addressing individual dietary needs, an approach that is appreciated by more and more consumers when it comes to weight management and ensuring a healthy body and mind.
“Furthermore, the demonstration of the synergetic effect of the two ingredients related to the decrease in glycemic variability over time was particularly exciting for us. It finally confirms that microbiota composition and blood sugar management are closely interrelated.”
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