A study [i] published recentlty in Frontiers of Nutrition conducted by Perfood, Germany, in collaboration with the University of Lübeck, Germany, demonstrates that BENEO ingredients support a personalised nutrition approach. BENEO’s first citizen science study conducted under real-life conditions further confirms the health benefits of BENEO’s slow-release carbohydrate Palatinose™ and the prebiotic fibre Orafti^®Synergy1 [ii]. The results show 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 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 very heterogenous population and not overruled by the habitual diet and usual lifestyle.

Palatinose (isomaltulose) is the only fully digestible and slow-release carbohydrate (disaccharide), providing standard carbohydrate energy (4 kcal/g) and a low glycaemic response (GI32).

Palatinose ©BENEO

Orafti Synergy1 (oligofructose-enriched inulin) is a unique composition of inulin and oligofructose. It is a dietary fibre and at the same time a scientifically proven prebiotic, confirmed by International Scientific Association for Pro- and Prebiotics (ISAPP). Chicory root fibres are not digested by human enzymes and are thereby unavailable for glucose release into the blood stream meaning their consumption does not raise blood glucose levels. In the colon they are fully and selectively fermented by beneficial bacteria. As proven prebiotics, their intake is associated with several health benefits.

Two dietary interventions
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 three days they consumed drinks with either 30 g sucrose or 30 g 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 highlight 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 an 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.

Real life
Anke Sentko, Vice President Regulatory Affairs & Nutrition Communication at BENEO comments: “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 demonstrates 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.

“Furthermore, the demonstration of the synergetic effect of the two 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.”

References
i. Kordowski A, Künstner A, Schweitzer L, et. al. (2022) Palatinose^TM (Isomaltulose) and Prebiotic Inulin-Type Fructans Have Beneficial Effects on Glycemic Response and Gut Microbiota Composition in Healthy Volunteers – A Real-Life, Retrospective Study of a Cohort That Participated in a Digital Nutrition Program. Frontiers in Nutrition 9 (7 March 2022). doi: https://doi.org10.3389/fnut.2022.829933

ii. Orafti®Synergy1 is an oligofructose‐inulin combination containing shorter chain inulin (oligofructose DP < 10) and longer chain inulin (inulin DP ≥ 10) in an approximate 50:50 ratio ± 10% each. Beneo‐Orafti, Tienen, Belgium