Fibersol®-2 Presents Key Benefits During the 9th Vahouny Fiber Symposium

(2010) – At the 9th   Vahouny Fiber Symposium held June 8-11, 2010 in Bethesda, MD,  key benefits of Fibersol®-2 digestion resistant maltodextrin as a soluble fiber source were presented by several scientists. The symposium was organized by NutraSource Research and co-sponsored by the American Society for Nutrition and the US Department of Agriculture.  The program provided a scientific review of dietary fiber and weight/satiety management, dietary fiber and glucose metabolism, dietary fiber and gut health, dietary fiber and heart health, health benefits of dietary fiber, and dietary fiber definition.

ADM/Matsutani sponsored the two sections of the symposium on Fibersol®-2 digestion resistant maltodextrin.  The presentations focused on the growing number of benefits associated with the intake of dietary fiber, and the fact that no one source of fiber provides all these benefits, thus a diverse range of fiber sources must be consumed.

During this symposium, Allan Buck of ADM, Suzanne Hendrich of Iowa State University, Geoff Livesey of Independent Nutrition Logic Ltd., David Baer of USDA, Volker Mai of the University of Florida, and Dennis Gordon of North Dakota State University, all presented information on Fibersol®-2’s various health benefits, including effects on regularity, satiety, glucose control, and serum lipid, as well as its physical characteristics and properties.

Allan Buck explained that, “Fibersol®-2 has been clinically proven to provide physiological benefits associated with fiber.  Its physical characteristics and properties provide for its use in foods that normally would not be considered for fiber fortification, such as low-viscosity beverages and high-clarity sauces and syrups.  Fibersol®-2 also confers functionality that helps increase overall fiber content of foods, such as whole grain formulations, where acceptance can be limited as a result of flavor or other functional limitations.”

Dr. Suzanne Hendrich added, “Fibersol®-2 may impact satiety, by decreasing hunger, prolonging satiation, and/or increasing satiety signals from the gut.”  Her research team studied the effects of Fibersol®-2 taken with a meal on feelings of fullness and examined several gut-derived satiety hormones.  The research found that subjects consuming 10 g of Fibersol®-2 with a meal noted prolonged feelings of fullness, and there were increases in both the GLP-1 and PYY hormones.  She concluded that, “This study supports the ability of Fibersol®-2 to stimulate satiety hormones and delay hunger when ingested with a meal.”

Geoff Livesey explained, “Unequivocal evidence exists of 3 to 10 g RMD per meal suppressing the glycemic response to all types of foods tested, whether they include complex available carbohydrates, simple sugars, or maltodextrin.”  David Baer pointed out that “the energy value of this fiber is similar to those of mixed fibers (from whole grains, fruits and vegetables).” Volker Mai continued with results from a study “suggesting a prebiotic effect of resistant maltodextrin.”

Dennis Gordon wrapped things up, explaining that “the quintessential properties of all sources of nondigestible carbohydrates/dietary fiber are the promotion of laxation and growth of the microbiota; these properties are mutually related.  At minimum, without adequate dietary fiber, bowel movements are impaired, with resulting constipation and more prevalent incidence of diverticulosis. Without sufficient sources of fermentable dietary fiber, the growth and maintenance of the microbiota is compromised, and while a normal bacterial population aids laxation, there is a positive association of the microbiotia and a normal immune function.  Since approximately 70% of the body’s immune system is associated with the intestine, there is an intrinsic interdependency of fermentable DF, the microbiota, and the immune system.  As regulatory groups have begun to finalize a definition for dietary fiber, one of the key provisions for nondigestible carbohydrates being defined as dietary fiber is that they must have demonstrated positive physiological effects.”  Gordon said, “A mixture of dietary fiber sources is best, knowledge of dietary fiber essentially and physiological importance has been obtained through studies with individual sources of dietary fiber.”

During the second session sponsored by ADM/Matsutani, there was a discussion on dietary fiber definition by CODEX.  Fibersol®-2 is dietary fiber by CODEX definition, and its analysis method, AOAC Official Method 2001.03, is recognized as an appropriate method to determine total dietary fiber to include both high- and low-molecular weight soluble dietary fiber and insoluble dietary fiber.

Overall, the message was the same:  there is a need to increase fiber in the diet, because increases in overall dietary fiber intake from various fiber sources are shown to provide many beneficial health effects.

For further information or to request a sample, please visit our team of experts at http://www.fibersol2.com or call 217-451-4377.

Fibersol®-2, a digestion resistant maltodextrin, was invented by Japan’s Matsutani Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., and has been exclusively produced by ADM since 1999. This joint venture combines Matsutani’s strong technical and scientific expertise with ADM’s vast production facilities and transportation network, resulting in a quality food ingredient that is backed by highly consistent service and a readily available supply.

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Phone: 217.451.4377
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E-mail: info@fibersol2.com
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