New Research Links Polydextrose With Reduced Daily Energy Intake

7 June 2013 --- New clinical research has documented a positive effect on total daily energy intake when Litesse Ultra polydextrose from the DuPont Danisco range is consumed in a mid-morning snack. Consolidating earlier research, the findings point to the optimal polydextrose dose required to promote satiety and reduce subsequent energy intake.

Participants in the randomised, cross-over study consumed chocolate milk drinks with an equal energy load and varying doses of Litesse Ultra, from 0g up to 25g, 90 minutes prior to being served an unlimited pasta-based test meal.

The researchers determined the exact amount of energy consumed by each participant before they declared themselves comfortably full. This revealed that total meal energy intake was significantly lower when participants had received 6.3g, 12.5g or 25g Litesse Ultra in the pre-meal snack, compared to the no-polydextrose control.

Consumption of 25g polydextrose led to the lowest meal energy intake, indicating that the impact on satiety is dose-dependent. In addition, it was found that both the 12.5g and 25g polydextrose doses were linked to a lower total energy intake over the entire day. All 21 participants – 12 men and 9 women – were healthy and of normal weight (BMI<25).

Michael Bond, health platform leader at DuPont Nutrition & Health, commented on the findings, “A number of earlier studies have documented the ability of polydextrose to promote satiety. This latest research provides greater insight into the optimal dose of polydextrose required to achieve this effect, and its potential as part of a weight management regime.

“These findings are particularly valuable with respect to supporting our customers’ new product developments in this area, as well as helping to guide further research into the mechanisms underlying the effect of polydextrose upon satiety and energy intake.”

Litesse Ultra is a recognised dietary fibre that contributes just 1kcal per gram. Widely approved on international markets, it is suitable for many food and beverage applications.

Published in the British Journal of Nutrition, the study’s full title is: “Polydextrose results in a dose-dependent reduction in ad libitum energy intake at a subsequent test meal.” Nerys Astbury Ph.D. from the New York Nutrition and Obesity Research Centre led the study, which was conducted at the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom.