A recently published study1 conducted by Perfood GmbH, Germany, in collaboration with the University of Lübeck, Germany, demonstrates that BENEO ingredients support a personalised nutrition approach.
BENEO’s first scientific study conducted under real-life conditions further confirms the health benefits of BENEO’s slow-release carbohydrate Palatinose™ and the prebiotic fibre Orafti®Synergy12. The results showed that both ingredients improve blood glucose control and that the latter also beneficially modulates gut microbiota through a significant increase in beneficial bifidobacteria.
This is the first study of its kind to investigate the effects of a BENEO diet combining Palatinose™ and Orafti®Synergy1 in healthy adults (120 participants) in a real-life situation using the citizen science approach. Instead of controlled conditions where all participants eat and drink in a strict and well-controlled manner during the trial, participants in this study consumed BENEO’s ingredients in addition to their normal diet. The effects observed were robust even in such a heterogenous population and were not overruled by the habitual diet and usual lifestyle.
Two dietary interventions were included in the study, targeting the support of blood glucose management, as well as the gut microbiota by increasing the beneficial bacteria (Bifidobacteria). The participants took part in a test phase over 14 days during which, in addition to the habitual diets, over 3 days they consumed drinks with either 30g sucrose or 30g Palatinose™ twice a day (for breakfast and lunch together with the habitual meal). Orafti®Synergy1 (10g/d) was added to their usual dinner for 11 days. Continuous blood glucose monitoring (CGM) was applied to evaluate the blood glucose response throughout, with stool samples collected at the beginning and end of the test phase and analysed using a gut microbiome RNA sequencing technique to measure the compositional changes of the gut microbiota.
The findings highlighted the added value of BENEO’s ingredients for everyday life through various applications. When added to the individual diet, beneficial effects that were previously shown in controlled clinical studies could also be demonstrated in a habitual diet situation. In comparison to sucrose, Palatinose™ showed a lower blood glucose response, a lower and more balanced blood glucose profile for the day, plus a slow release and sustained glucose supply. The positive effects of Orafti®Synergy1 supplementation were also demonstrated in this real-life situation through a significant increase in beneficial bifidobacteria and a significant decrease in glycaemic variability over time. The decrease in glycaemic variability over time was irrespective of the carbohydrate consumed and therefore is a beneficial effect that can be regarded as synergistic to the Palatinose™ related effects on blood glucose management. These latest findings demonstrate that the combination of Palatinose™ and Orafti®Synergy1, independently of each other, supports blood glucose management for improved metabolic health. Therefore, incorporating these functional ingredients as part of a healthy diet can improve the diet quality, also in the context of personalised nutrition, and contribute to overall better health.
Anke Sentko, Vice President Regulatory Affairs & Nutrition Communication at BENEO commented, “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. These recent study results show that food choices matter and demonstrate how functional ingredients can help to support health. The study design also demonstrate that both BENEO’s Palatinose™ and Orafti®Synergy1 deliver health benefits in the context of personalised nutrition by addressing individual dietary needs — a diet approach that is appreciated by more and more consumers when it comes to topics such as weight management and ensuring a healthy body and mind.”
She added, “Furthermore, the demonstration of the synergetic effect of the 2 ingredients related to the decrease in glycaemic variability over time was particularly exciting for us: it finally confirms that microbiota composition and blood sugar management are closely interrelated. Therefore BENEO’s functional ingredients Palatinose™ and Orafti®Synergy1 offer a holistic approach.”
For more information, visit www.beneo.com.
