In 2022, the global prebiotics market was valued at USD 11245.32 million and is expected to more than double by 2028[i]. The burgeoning market reflects the growing awareness of their importance. As more research emerges revealing more secrets of the ecosystem residing in the human gut and its wider impact on human health, consumers are increasingly understanding the value of prebiotics.
The demand for driving innovation and diversity in this expanding market means it’s easier than ever to ensure your customers are incorporating these fibre-based products into their diets.
At Stockk Nutrition, we’re aware of the need to stay ahead of the trend and that’s why we have developed our Diverse Prebiotics Blend. A combination of eight premium, prebiotic fibres formulated to optimize the health and diversity of the gut microbiome.
In this article, we’ll delve into the benefits of these ingredients and why they’ll give you a competitive edge in the dietary supplements market.
What are prebiotics?
Prebiotics are non-digestible dietary fibres that serve as an energy source for beneficial gut bacteria. When you consume prebiotic fibre, it passes through your digestive system relatively untouched until it reaches your colon, where gut bacteria set to work breaking it down. They do this during a process of fermentation which yields metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), that help maintain a healthy gut. But the benefits of prebiotics are also far-reaching.
Here are just some of the benefits linked to prebiotics:
- Promoting the growth and activity of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli. This helps to not only grow their abundance but also stimulates their activity, yielding a greater number of metabolites and providing an optimal environment for healthy bacteria to thrive. This also means potentially pathogenic growth is suppressed.
- Improved gut barrier function. SCFAs produced from the fermentation of prebiotic fibre contribute to an improved gut barrier function.
- Lowered inflammation. The SCFAs produced during prebiotic fermentation contribute to a lowering of inflammation both in the gut and throughout the body. Chronic inflammation is associated with the development of a wide range of chronic diseases.
- Enhanced immunity. Many of the cells in the gastrointestinal tract are important in the body’s immune response. For example, butyrate, an SCFA can influence the activity of macrophages, T cells, and dendritic cells, all important constituents of the immune system.
- Allergy risk. The diversity of the gut microbiome may be critical to the risk of developing allergies. Low levels of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli are associated with an increased chance of developing allergies in the first five years of life. However, many studies have highlighted how prebiotics like FOS, GOS and other prebiotics could protect the body from allergies[ii].
How to enhance your prebiotic offering with our Diverse Prebiotic Blend?
Stockk Nutrition can help you increase your prebiotic product offering with our Diverse Prebiotic Blend product. Comprising of eight premium prebiotic fibres that are scientifically backed to optimise the gut microbiome.
Tailored for the health and wellness sector, the Diverse Prebiotic Blend contains:
- Fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
- Galactooligosaccharides (GOS)
- Xylooligosaccharides (XOS)
- 2’-Fucosyllactose (2’-FL)
- 3’-Sialyllactose (3’-SL)
- Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT)
- Inulin
- Resistant starch
Next, we’ll explore some of the specific health benefits of these prebiotic fibres on human health.
Fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are carbohydrates that are naturally occurring in plants, including:
- Artichoke
- Asparagus
- Banana
- Chicory
- Garlic
- Onions
Because they are fermented by gut bacteria, they are prebiotic. The health benefits of FOS are wide-ranging. FOS are a type of soluble fibre[iii], that is fibre that attracts water to produce a gel-like substance, which aids digestion. The consumption of FOS can prevent digestive issues, such as constipation.
FOS also supports a healthy gut microbiome. A study by Tandon et al. (2019) involving 80 volunteers found that FOS increased the abundance of bacterial strains belonging to Bifidobacterium and Lactobacilli, leading to a more diverse gut microbiome. This diversity was reduced when FOS was removed from the diet. The study also showed that the consumption of FOS increased the abundance of butyrate producers, including Faecalibacterium, Ruminococcus, and Oscillospira[iv].
Galactooligosaccharides (GOS)
GOS are another energy substrate for gut bacteria and are made up of short chains of galactose molecules. Like FOS, GOS can promote a healthy digestive system by promoting balance in the gut microbiome, increasing the integrity of the gut barrier and strengthening the immune response.
Emerging research shows that GOS could improve the body’s absorption of essential minerals, like calcium and magnesium which are crucial for bone health. A clinical trial published in 2021 involving 64 young adult females, studied the effect of daily GOS supplementation over four weeks on self-reported nutrient intake and its effects on the gut microbiota.
It was concluded that GOS supplementation influenced the intake of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Participants had a lower carbohydrate intake which resulted in increased Bifidobacteria abundance from GOS. The participants ate less sugar and increased their intake of fats. Therefore, GOS could modulate the composition of the gut microbiota by increasing Bifidobacteria availability even when fibre intake from the diet is low[v].
Xylooligosaccharides (XOS)
Xylooligosaccharides have great prebiotic potential and are derived from xylose, a sugar found in plant cell walls. XOS are the degraded products made from the chemical, physical, or enzymatic degradation of xylan. XOS has numerous physiochemical properties which make it an ideal dietary supplement, such as:
- High water solubility
- Low viscosity
- High heat tolerance
- High acidic pH tolerance
Research has shown that XOS has several health-promoting benefits, too. Yu et al. (2015) demonstrated that when combined with L. plantarum S2, XOS from corn cobs increased the viability of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria in mice faeces. The combination also had strong antioxidant activity[vi].
Ebersach et al. (2012) found that XOS can prevent Listeria infection[vii]. Hsu et al. (2004) evaluated the effects of XOS and FOS on the caecal microbiota, caecal pH, and their effect on precancerous colon lesions in rats.
The results showed that both FOS and XOS reduced the caecal pH and increased the population of Bifidobacteria, but XOS had a greater impact on the latter compared to FOS. Therefore, the results suggested that both XOS and FOS are beneficial for gastrointestinal health, but XOS is more effective[viii].
Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs): 2’-FL & 3’-SL
Human milk oligosaccharides are the third most abundant constituent in human breast milk. There are over 200 HMOs available, and they are known for their prebiotic effects both in infants and adults[ix]. Diverse Prebiotics Blend contains three important and abundant HMOs; 2’-FL, 3’SL, and LNnT.
2’-FL is one of the most abundant HMOs[x]. Alongside 3’SL, 2’-FL has been associated with having bifidogenic effects[xi]. By initiating the increase in growth and activity of Bifidobacteria, 2’-FL also facilitates the increase of butyrate production through the process of cross-feeding[xii]. These actions help to build a diverse gut microbiota. Research also shows that 2’-FL can reverse the effects of stress on gut motility in mouse models[xiii]
Diverse Prebiotics Blend also includes 3’SL, an abundant sialylated human milk oligosaccharide. 3’SL supports the growth of Bifidobacteria and the overall shaping of the gut microbiome, but it’s also known to have antiadhesive properties which can prevent pathogens from causing infection[xiv]. Studies have linked 3’SL to cognitive development and anti-inflammation[xv].
Finally, lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), in combination with 2’-FL can improve bowel habits and other related IBS symptoms, making it an important modulator of the gut microbiome[xvi].
Inulin
Inulin is a type of dietary fibre that’s naturally found in foods, such as chicory root, artichokes, and onions. It is a type of fructan, meaning it is made up of chains of linked fructose molecules[xvii].
The health benefits of inulin are significant. By feeding and enhancing the growth of probiotic bacteria, inulin helps maintain a healthy balance in your gut microbiome, which is crucial for good digestion and overall health. A well-nourished microbiome can improve bowel regularity and reduce constipation by increasing stool bulk.
Several studies have suggested that inulin can also improve blood sugar control in people with diabetes and prediabetes. A meta-analysis of 33 trials involving 1346 participants, found that supplementation of inulin-type fructans reduced several diabetic biomarkers, including fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels[xviii].
Resistant starch
Resistant starch, as its name suggests, resists digestion in the small intestine, and instead, is fermented by healthy bacteria in the colon. This process helps to nourish the probiotic gut bacteria, producing metabolites such as SCFAs, that are vital for colonic health. Other benefits of resistant starch include:
- Improves satiety. Resistant starch has half the calories of regular starch which means you’ll consume fewer calories, the more resistant starch a food contains. This will help to maintain weight. However, studies show that resistant starch can also increase the feeling of fullness. Bodinham et al. (2010) showed that the consumption of 48g of resistant starch over 24 hours reduced energy intake and lowered postprandial insulin response[xix].
- Increased butyrate production. When you eat resistant starch, your gut microbes transform it into short-chain fatty acids, like butyrate. Butyrate is important because it is the main energy source for the cells that line your gut, initiating a cascade of important biological events[xx].
Summary
The Diverse Prebiotics Blend has been specially tailored for the health and wellness sector, producing a product that supports many aspects of human health, from digestion to immunity.
If you want to find out how Diverse Prebiotics Blend can give you a competitive edge in your field, get in touch today.
Written by: Leanne Edermaniger, MSc. Science Communicator.
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