Denisse Colindres is the manager of Nutrition Communication for the North American Region. She communicates the nutrition research that substantiates the health benefits of BENEO’s functional ingredients from natural sources. As a recognized expert in nutritional science and communication, she provides in-depth knowledge to BENEO’s customers and health professionals with a focus on the needs of consumers.
 
Healthier food and beverage products are increasingly important to the U.S. and Canadian markets with consumers looking to better understand how a smart diet contributes to a healthy lifestyle and wellbeing. Colindres is also a member of the BENEO-Institute, an initiative of BENEO that provides the latest research and knowledge in nutrition science and legislation related to BENEO’s chicory root fibers and functional carbohydrates. It was founded by experts from biochemistry, chemistry, nutritional science, and regulatory.
 
Health E-Insights (HEI): What can be done to reverse obesity? Are you seeing any trends causing obesity to rise in the U.S.?
 
Colindres: Obesity has been a global problem for at least a few decades. The World Health Organization (WHO) indicated that in 2022, 1 in 8 or about 2.5 billion adults globally were obese. Organizations in the U.S. and other nations are taking steps to educate consumers on the value of maintaining healthy lifestyles, including a focus on exercise as well as healthful food and beverage choices.
 
BENEO has long been a proponent of supporting manufacturers in their efforts to create innovative food and beverage products that support good health. When it comes to fighting obesity it is not only about the availability of products that support good health but also continuous efforts by all involved — the food industry, nutritionists, medical professionals, and more — to demonstrate the impact of healthy choices. That’s why the BENEO-Institute fosters collaboration with nutritionists and dietitians to inform those multipliers about the latest research findings in the context of prebiotics, smart carbohydrates, digestive health, blood sugar management, weight management, personalized nutrition, and healthy aging to name just a few.
 
Of course, the BENEO-Institute professionals also support customers with their expertise in that field and advise food and beverage manufacturers, for example, on aspects such as possibilities for communication and  structure/function claims when using BENEO ingredients.
 
HEI: What has the BENEO-Institute’s research revealed about weight management? How can Palatinose help with GLP-1 stimulation?
 
Colindres: In June 2024, BENEO released the results of an important new study led by Prof. Andreas Pfeiffer (Zhang et al.), which demonstrates that intake of the naturally sourced, smart carbohydrate Palatinose stimulates a higher and longer-lasting release of beneficial gut hormones including GLP-1 in overweight adults, even if its consumption is followed by a meal. The effect is quite robust as it has been also confirmed in healthy individuals. The findings show that Palatinose (isomaltulose) has a beneficial effect on metabolic parameters that are important for maintaining a healthy body weight, blood glucose control, and cardiovascular health.
 
The study was designed to explore the effect of Palatinose, compared to sucrose, on the release of gut hormones. Using a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over design, the study was undertaken with 30 overweight/obese volunteers, aged between 49 and 77, half of whom had Type 2 diabetes. The participants’ blood glucose, insulin, and incretins, including GLP-1, were monitored over 9 hours. The results showed that those who had consumed the isomaltulose, even as a pre-lunch drink, produced significantly higher and longer-lasting GLP-1 levels than those who had ingested sucrose. As demonstrated for the first time, the stronger release of gut hormones with Palatinose is not masked by a subsequent meal. Thus, it can be concluded that Palatinose primes the body for a better GLP-1 response when taken before a complex meal.
 
GLP-1 has a beneficial impact on metabolism, including the reduction of appetite and weight gain, and improves blood glucose control. The study findings again show that Palatinose influences factors that contribute to a better metabolic state and therefore provides benefits beyond slow-release and sustained energy.
 
Thus, while medical approaches to weight loss have been widely adopted and may come with negative effects, it is great news to know that GLP-1 can be released in a natural, and more healthy way with Palatinose.
 
HEI: How important is managing blood sugar level for weight loss?
 
Colindres: Lower blood sugar supports metabolic health in various ways and helps with both blood sugar management and weight management. The ideal carbohydrate provides the necessary energy for a person’s metabolism as it triggers a low and balanced rise in blood glucose and a low increase in insulin, as well as encourages fat burning rather than fat storage.
 
One of BENEO’s solutions is the functional carbohydrate Palatinose (isomaltulose, a slow-release sugar). It is made from sugar beet and is also naturally found in honey. Palatinose is unique in its ability to deliver a lower rise in blood glucose while delivering full carbohydrate energy (4 kcal/g). Its slow uptake results in a low and balanced blood glucose response, making it an ideal ingredient to help support blood sugar management. Additionally, this unique sugar is tooth-friendly. Several structure-function claims related to blood glucose response, energy, fat oxidation and GLP-1 are scientifically supported with Palatinose.
 
Another low glycemic solution is the sugar replacer Isomalt. It provides half the calories of sugar while having an almost negligible effect on blood sugar and insulin levels. Similar to Palatinose, Isomalt also supports dental health and carries a U.S. health claim for not promoting tooth decay.
 
Chicory root prebiotic fibers, such as BENEO’s Orafti inulin and oligofructose, contribute to a low glycemic diet by replacing available carbohydrates and enriching food with dietary fiber, thus supporting effective blood sugar management. Additionally, due to their prebiotic effect, these fibers support the gut microbiome by nourishing the good, beneficial microorganisms, such as Bifidobacteria, and therefore also support digestive health, wellbeing, and immune health. Several structure-function claims related to prebiotic, digestive health, weight management, and bone health are scientifically supported with BENEO’s Orafti chicory root prebiotic fibers.
 
HEI: What ingredients does BENEO offer for natural weight management?
 
Colindres: As stated earlier, besides controlling blood sugar levels, prioritizing protein is important during a weight loss journey as it can counteract muscle loss and increase satiety. BENEO’s functional proteins range offers solutions for proper protein supply.
 
From a technical point of view, BENEO’s faba bean protein concentrate BeneoPro FB offers high solubility and excellent emulsifying properties suitable for protein bars, baked goods, dairy alternatives, and snacks. Nutritionally, it has a well-balanced amino acid profile and an excellent digestibility.
 
BENEO’s Remypro rice protein is all-natural, gluten-free, and hypoallergenic. It is widely  used in protein and energy bars, mixes for meal replacement drinks/protein shakes as well as baked goods. Nutritionally, it has an excellent amino acid profile and good digestibility.
 
Rice and faba protein complement each other providing a complete plant protein source.
 
HEI: Are all BENEO’s ingredients plant-based?
 
Colindres: Yes. BENEO’s portfolio of functional ingredients, including functional fibers, functional carbohydrates, specialty rice ingredients, and functional protein (i.e., faba beans) are all-natural and non-GMO.
 
HEI: What nutrition trends is BENEO seeing?
 
Colindres: One of the global key trends BENEO recognizes, which ties in well with the weight management aspect, is the trend for “conscious indulgence.” In a nutshell, this means that consumers are looking to find a balance between health/nutrition and treating themselves. So, checking food labels is on the agenda of conscious buyers. To nearly one in three consumers globally, attributes like low/no/reduced (fat, sugar, salt) or high in (protein, fiber, vitamins, etc.) make a snack healthy (Innova Market Insights). Manufacturers who can make their benefits visible on the front of their packaging may have an advantage.
 
“Gut Power” is another key trend as more and more consumers are aware of the importance of a healthy gut as the center for their overall health. Three in 10 participants say that their digestive health is an important influence on their immune system, weight management, and energy levels (BENEO Global Prebiotic Survey, 2023). As a result, 68% of global consumers are interested in digestive health products, even when not suffering specific health problems (FMCG Gurus, 2022).
 
BENEO also sees blood sugar management as an emergent trend that impacts a wide audience, not only those who have to care for blood sugar management due to health issues (such as those suffering from diabetes). For example, in the U.S., almost one in three connect blood sugar management with improved weight management, heart health,
 and overall wellbeing (Healthy Ageing Survey, U.S., 2024). Health-forward consumers are picking up on emerging science communicated, for example, by social media influencers. A blood sugar-friendly positioning is already driving success for pioneering brands (New Nutrition Business, 2024).
 
BENEO’s range of functional carbohydrates, prebiotic fibers, and functional proteins can tick off many of the current consumer demands. Whether it is about cutting calories or achieving a high protein profile, the application experts of the BENEO-Technology Center advise manufacturers along the whole development process. When it comes to aspects such as scientific substantiation, front-of-pack communication, and possible structure/function claims, customers can count on the BENEO-Institute which brings together the expertise from Nutrition Science, Nutrition Communication, and Legislation teams.