MGP’s Resistant Wheat Starch Shown to Help Battle Obesity

15 Jan 2016 --- Obesity is recognized as serious health issue with far-reaching implications. As a result, greater attention is being placed on efforts to turn back the tide of excessive weight gain. 

One of these efforts is focused on calorie reduction as people become increasingly conscious of their diet as an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, as the baby boomer consumer grows older, they think about “healthy aging,” and as the overall consumer also wants “better-for-you” food products, it supports the case for boosting fiber content while simultaneously lowering calorie intake with ingredients such as MGP’s Fibersym RW. This unique resistant wheat starch, which acts like a prebiotic fiber, has a low caloric count, making it ideal for use in formulating a host of reduced calorie foods.

According to Ody Maningat, Ph.D., MGP’s vice president of research & development and chief science officer, “Evidence exists based on food consumption data and clinical studies regarding the inverse relationship between fiber and obesity. Those who ingested the most dietary fiber had lower mean energy intake and lower body mass index (BMI) values, while those ingesting the least fiber tended to be the most obese,” he said.

Dr. Maningat added: “Fibersym RW delivers total minimum dietary fiber of 85 percent (dry basis) and has been used in the management of risk factors like obesity that contribute to cardiovascular disease. In a 12-week clinical study involving human subjects and published in Molecular Nutrition and Food Research in 2014, Fibersym RW consumption resulted in a smaller waist circumference and lower percent body fat among the subjects.”

Body weight is a reflection of the balance between two variables: the calories a body takes in and the calories it burns off, Dr. Maningat noted. It is proposed that fiber acts as a physiological obstacle to energy intake by several mechanisms, which helps explain the role of fiber in weight management. Diets with adequate fiber are generally less energy dense (low calorie count). Also, diets with sufficient fiber occupy greater food volumes, or bulk, which may curb intake of other foods. Fibersym RW reduces glycemic response and promotes satiety, which is a feeling that comes after eating a meal and inhibits a person from eating again within a relatively short time span.

In addition to fiber fortification and calorie reduction benefits, Fibersym RW has a low water-holding capacity that allows for enhanced crispness and ease in formulating, can replace flour, and provides a smooth, non-gritty texture, neutral flavor and white “invisible” color. Also, because it is made from wheat, it is non-GMO.