A new pilot study in humans has demonstrated that Beneo^TM oligofructose , a prebiotic ingredient from the chicory root, can act as a trigger limiting hunger feeling and energy intake. Research in animal models previously found that metabolites originating from the fermentation of Beneo^TM oligofructose in the colon are likely to be involved in the mechanism. Oligofructose fermentation modulates the release of gut hormones in the blood which act as signalling agents to the brain influencing appetite and ultimately food intake.
 
Introduction
Approximately three out of five people living in the United States are overweight* of which nearly one in three are now obese (BMI > 30). Obesity is strongly linked with the incidence of several chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, which in turn are expected to increase mortality rates in the coming years. The global rise in obesity and its economic impact on health care budgets spurred the food industry to develop new approaches to lower the obesity burden.  Unfortunately, current dietary strategies often fall short of the consumers desired weight loss goals. ORAFTI’s prebiotic ingredients can help by offering another approach to this weight loss dilemma. 
 
Animal studies
A study in rats fed either a diet supplemented with Beneo^TMP95 or Beneo^TMSynergy1 (10%) or a standard diet (control) for 3 weeks showed significantly lower energy intake in the three groups of rats fed the test diets compared to the control group (P<0.05). This led to a significant decrease in body fat mass after 3 weeks for both the Beneo^TMP95 and Beneo^TMSynergy1 fed groups (30% decrease) vs. controls (P<0.01). Parallel with these observations, the plasma level of the satiety inducing gut peptide GLP-1 was significantly higher in  the rats fed Beneo^TMP95 and Beneo^TMSynergy1 than in the control animals (P<0.05). Conversely, the plasma level of ghrelin (hormone that stimulates food intake) remained significantly lower in the Beneo^TMP95 and Beneo^TMSynergy1 animals than in the control rats (P<0.05). Normally plasma ghrelin concentration increases during a period of food deprivation, signalling a feeling of hunger to the brain.  These levels then fall rapidly after a meal is ingested.

A subsequent study was undertaken in an animal model for obesity where rats were fed a high fat diet with and without Beneo^TMP95 (10%) for 2 weeks. Energy intake was significantly lower in the high-fat Beneo^TMP95-supplemented group than in the high-fat control group (P<0.05). Weight gain during the high-fat diet was significantly lower in the rats receiving the diet enriched with Beneo^TMP95 than in those receiving the high-fat diet without Beneo^TMP95 (P<0.05). The total weight of the adipose tissue also was lower (by a factor of 2) in the Beneo^TMP95 fed animals than in the control animals (P<0.05).
          
Human data
Recently the satiety-inducing effects of Beneo^TMP95 were confirmed in a human volunteer pilot intervention study. Ten healthy men and women aged 21-39 years with normal BMI values took part in a placebo-controlled trial with a crossover design. Subjects were supplemented at breakfast and dinner with Beneo^TMP95 (8g/meal) or a placebo (maltodextrin). After breakfast, Beneo^TMP95 significantly increased satiety as compared to the placebo treatment (P<0.05). After the dinner meal, higher levels of satiety were obtained and maintained in volunteers supplemented with Beneo^TMP95 compared to the placebo subjects (P<0.05). In addition, supplementation with Beneo^TMP95 reduced hunger (P<0.05) and prospective food consumption compared to the placebo (P<0.05). Total energy intake during the day was significantly lower in volunteers supplemented with Beneo^TMP95 compared to the placebo group (P<0.05).
 
Conclusion
Beneo^TMP95 and Beneo^TMSynergy1 have been shown to modulate food intake and body weight in animal models. These effects were accompanied by a lower body fat mass and a lower deposition of fat coming from high-fat diets that otherwise would have led to obesity. More recently, a trial of human volunteers confirmed Beneo^TMP95 can enhance satiety as well as lower energy and food intake. Beneo^TMP95 and Beneo^TMSynergy1 could play a key role as a new tool to help fight obesity.
 
Dr. Anne Franck, Executive Vice President of Science and Technology at ORAFTI, commented, “This research offers an interesting opportunity for food manufacturers. By using Beneo^TM oligofructose to increase the satiety potential of their food products, food manufacturers can help consumers avoid overeating and take a bold position in tackling the obesity problem.”
 
* American Obesity Association (AOA Fact sheets), www.obesity.org
 
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About ORAFTI Group
ORAFTI Group is a subsidiary of the Belgian agro-food group Raffinerie Tirlemontoise/ Tiense Suikerraffinaderij and is part of the ORAFTI/ PALATINIT Ingredients Group of Südzucker (Germany).
 
ORAFTI Group produces Beneo^TM inulin and oligofructose, as well as Raftisweet® (fructose syrups), from chicory roots. ORAFTI Group's head office is in Tienen, Belgium and the company operates in more than 75 countries world wide, with production units in Oreye (Belgium), Wijchen (Netherlands) and Wijgmaal (Belgium). The ORAFTI Group also includes REMY INDUSTRIES, world leading producer of rice starches (Remyline®/ Remygel®), rice flours (Remyflo®) and rice proteins (Remypro®).
 
 
ORAFTI Group
Aandorenstraat 1
3300 Tienen
Belgium
Tel:  +32 16 80 13 01
Fax:  +32 16 80 13 08
afi@orafti.com
www.orafti.com
 
For more business information contact:
ORAFTI
101 Lindenwood Drive
Malvern, PA 19355
www.orafti.com