Fibersol-2®

Fibersol-2®

Dietary fiber could be considered the sixth group of essential nutrients. It not only keeps the digestive system clean and healthy, but can help regulate blood sugar and reduce the risk of some lifestyle-related diseases. Unfortunately, most Americans do not get enough soluble or insoluble fiber in their diets. In fact, it is estimated that Americans eat 12 g of fiber on average per day, a far cry from the 20 to 30 g per day recommended by the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

Dietary fiber is found in a range of plant foods. Whole grains, such as brown rice or whole wheat, legumes, vegetables and fruits all contain soluble and insoluble fiber. The two types of fiber have different effects in the body, and both are effective in satiating the appetite and reducing bacterial toxins in the digestive system. Insoluble fiber plays a role in eliminating and absorbing toxins. Soluble fiber, while it has some impact on those functions, is more responsible for stabilizing blood sugar and reducing serum cholesterol.

A new soluble dietary fiber, Fibersol-2^®, is available from Matsutani America Inc. The ingredient is a spray-dried powder produced by the pyrolysis and controlled enzymatic hydrolysis of cornstarch. This sourcing means it is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) as maltodextrin, which is readily dispersible in water and carries no inherent flavor.

Matsutani outlines a number of useful properties, including very low viscosity, high solubility, low hygroscopicity and clarity in solution. Because it is high in naturally occurring chemical bonds that remain undigested in the digestive tract, it can provide many physiological benefits.

A general review article by Kazuhiro Ohkuma and Shigeru Wakabayashi (Advanced Dietary Fibre Technology, 2000) covered the beneficial properties of Fibersol-2. "Its viscosity is lower than that of a conventional maltodextrin, although both have the same DE value," they noted. "A solution of Fibersol-2 is very clear and stable and does not become cloudy or show signs of any precipitation when kept for long periods of time. It also has very good anti-acid properties and can be cooked and sterilized at high temperature in food applications due to its stability in heat processes."

Studies on Fibersol-2 have explored its health properties, including effects on the digestive tract and blood glucose and cholesterol levels. Physiologically, the ingredient has been shown to increase both bowel regularity and fecal volume. In a study of 14 females and six males with fecal frequency fewer than three times per week, the subjects received 3.75 g of Fibersol-2 per day for five days.¹ Researchers found that weekly fecal frequency increased from 2.6 times to 4.0 times. In addition, fecal volume (expressed in terms of the volume of an egg) was increased from 6.0 to 11.3. The subjects also had significantly increased proportions of bifidobacteria in intestinal microflora. This finding was echoed in another study in which healthy adults were given 10 g of Fibersol-2 three times per day over a one-month period. Researchers found that bifidobacterium increased in all subjects, with some experiencing increases of more than 10 percent.

Part of Fibersol-2's ability to increase probiotic levels in the large intestine is because a great deal is delivered to that part of the intestinal tract. In a normal absorption pattern of a sugar and starch mixture, the majority is absorbed in the stomach and start of the small intestine. Ohkuma and Wakabayashi estimated that most of Fibersol-2 escapes digestion in the upper gastrointestinal tract. "It is estimated that [approximately 90 percent of the administered Fibersol-2 reaches the large intestine and half of that is metabolised by intestinal bacteria," they noted.

Because of the slower absorption, Fibersol-2 has positive effects on blood glucose levels. In one study, changes in postprandial blood glucose levels were monitored in 40 healthy humans.² The subjects were given a fixed menu of Japanese udon noodles with fried bean curd and rice, with either green tea or a beverage containing 5.0 g of Fibersol-2. Postprandial blood glucose levels for subjects receiving green tea plus Fibersol-2 remained low compared to subjects ingesting only green tea, despite the subjects eating the same food. Animal models have taken this finding further to determine how it could prevent obesity. Rat³ and chicken⁴ studies have shown that accumulated body fat could be reduced with Fibersol-2 by moderating postprandial blood glucose levels and lowering insulin secretion. The studies also showed a reduction of fat accumulation in internal organs.

Concurrent findings indicate that when Fibersol-2 improves carbohydrate metabolism, this affects serum cholesterol levels. "It has been shown that Fibersol-2 lowered total cholesterol levels by lowering LDL-cholesterol levels without a change in HDL-cholesterol levels," Ohkuma and Wakabayashi wrote. "Furthermore, ingestion of Fibersol-2 lowered serum triglyceride levels in both healthy (control) adults and Type II diabetes patients."

Because of its health properties and range of applications, Fibersol-2 has been used in many foods given FOSHU (Foods for Specified Health Use) status in Japan. Products such as beverages, cookies and sausages containing Fibersol-2 are being marketed in Japan with health claims such as "bowel regularity," "blood glucose control effect" and "lowering cholesterol effect." As the U.S. market expands for functional foods and dietary supplements, ingredients with broad applications and health properties will be sought out by consumers.

References

1. Satouchi M et al, "Effects of indigestible dextrin on bowel movements," Japanese J Nutr, 51:31-37, 1993.

2. Tokunaga K and Matsuoka A, "Effects of a [FOSHU] which contains indigestible dextrin as an effective ingredient on glucose and lipid metabolism," J Japanese Diabetes Society, 42:61-65, 1999.

3. Wakabayashi S et al, "Effects of indigestible dextrin on glucose tolerance in rats," J Endocrinology, 144:533-538, 1995.

4. Watanabe O et al, "Effects of galacto-oligosaccharide and indigestible dextrin on fat accumulation in broiler," Japanese Poultry Science, 30:35, 1993.