FrieslandCampina Ingredients pioneers low-dose prebiotics with proven women’s health benefits

19 Sep 2024 --- FrieslandCampina Ingredients’ Biotis GOS-OP (galactooligosaccharide-content of over 90%) High Purity can increase Bifidobacterium in the gut microbiome of healthy women at dosages of 2 g and 1.3 g — the lowest tested dose in the industry, according to a recent study. The company highlights that this “first-of-its-kind” clinical trial demonstrates the gut health benefits of daily supplementation with the ingredient.

The randomized, parallel, double-blind study published in Frontiers in Nutrition included 88 women between the ages of 40 and 70 — an under-studied demographic the company says encompasses some of the most frequent users of digestive and gut health supplements.

“Although the effects of prebiotics on improved gut health and holistic health have been widely studied, research using low dosages of prebiotics like GOS have been limited until now,” explains Vicky Davies, the global marketing director at FrieslandCampina Ingredients.

Leveraging lower dosages

FrieslandCampina Ingredients stresses the importance of low dosages in supplements for convenience and delivery format expansion. The company notes that many supplement formats can only accommodate a limited volume of ingredients.

For instance, a single serving often consists of two gummies. However, as more ingredients are added, single servings can reach three or more gummies, reducing the convenience of transport and consumption.The study shows increased Bifidobacterium following supplementation at 1.3 g and 2 g, paving the way for convenient formats.

Moreover, the company notes that, within the women’s health space, 20% of supplements have a serving size of four gummies. The study’s results confirm the potential of Biotis GOS-OP High Purity for producing smaller, efficacious and clinically researched applications in trending formats such as gummies and the possibility of single gummy serving sizes. 

“This new clinical study is exciting as it paves the way for FrieslandCampina Ingredients and the broader nutrition industry to better support consumers with innovative, convenient formats, such as single-serving supplements, that can be taken on-the-go and suit busy lifestyles,” Davies underscores.

Proven efficacy

The study further reveals Biotis GOS-OP High Purity’s low dosage efficacy. After only three weeks, it can increase the abundance of Bifidobacterium in healthy women, with the greatest bifidogenic effect seen with the 2 g dosages.Participants also reported improved sleep quality.

FrieslandCampina Ingredients points out that, while earlier research has often focused on the beneficial effects of GOS in higher dosages and across many demographics, what sets this study apart is its focus on women’s health, which it says could open doors for the creation of “on-trend supplements” in the dynamic women’s health space.

Furthermore, many participants reported improved sleep quality at both the 1.3 g and 2 g dosages, with more benefits noted in the lower dosage group, revealing the possibility of gut-brain axis applications.

“Research already suggests that there are fecal microbial changes associated with aging, including reduced Bifidobacteria numbers, so this new clinical study underlines the importance of prebiotics in those aged 40 years and above,” Davies concludes. “Implementing a control period without any intervention was also key to reflect the variation of microbiota over time, as it reflects how the body would typically respond to low dosages of GOS in a real-life setting.”

“The next step is to further explore the health benefits of the increase in relative abundance of Bifidobacteria, as well as a longer intervention period.”