Review supports the appetite control effects of Taiyo’s Sunfiber
Dr Theertham Pradyumna Rao, assistant general manager of Taiyo Kagaku’s International Division and author of the review, told NutraIngredients-USA at the 2016 IFT Annual Meeting and Expo in Chicago that guar fiber, or partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG), has been in the market for over 25 years, and has been the subject of over 150 clinical trials.
Data specific to the potential appetite control benefits include slowing the colonic transit time and increasing levels of the satiety hormone CCK.
“Because guar fiber acts in the intestine and not the stomach you don’t get that sense of bloating,” Dr Rao told us. “This produces a more comfortable way of reducing energy intake. It is a way to a way to reduce intermediate appetite, which is crucial because it reduces snacking.”
And when combined with protein a synergistic satiety effect is observed, he said. A satiety effect from protein alone requires between 15 and 20 grams, he explained, but when combined with two grams of Sunfiber a satiety effect is observed with 8 grams of protein, he said. (This was reported in a study by researcher from French dairy giant Danone: Food Quality and Preference, 2010, Vol. 21, pp. 402–409).
Scientific review
Writing in Physiology & Behavior Dr Rao noted that the evidence from clinical studies shows that guar fiber may regulate appetite because:
- It delays colonic transit time so food takes longer to digest
- It increases the release of the body’s satiety hormone, CCK
- It provides both immediate and sustained perceivable satiety effects
- Just two grams of guar fiber a day helps to reduce daily calorie intake from snacking by as much as 20 percent
“A sustained perceivable satiety effect and reduction of about 20% daily energy (caloric) intake via snacking were observed with regular intake of 2 g of guar fiber/day for two weeks in normal subjects,” wrote Dr Rao. “It was shown that obese subjects may require a minimum of 20 g guar fiber/day in split doses to suppress appetite.
“A dose of no more than 5 g guar fiber is reasonable and cost effective to fit in a serving of foods such as yogurt, nutritional/protein bars, beverages and nutritional supplements to keep appetite under control. Guar fiber containing more than 85% soluble dietary fiber with clear solubility, stable at a wide range of pH conditions, and without taste impact on foods, may offer potential opportunity as a natural food material for effective appetite control.”
Milestone
Sunfiber is a highly soluble white powder, and the company says its ease of formulation as well as its attractive functional characteristics means it is suitable for a wide range of applications, from foods and beverages, to supplements and even medical foods.
The company passed an important milestone on the path to verification of these claims with the approval earlier this year by Health Canada of Sunfiber’s claims related to its effectiveness in treating symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), as well as its ability to relieve intestinal issues related to childhood constipation.
Source: Physiology & Behavior
Volume 164, pp. 277–283, doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.06.014
“Role of guar fiber in appetite control”
Author: T.P. Rao
