A new study appearing in the journal Nutrients, conducted by ingredient manufacturer FrieslandCampina, linked the company’s Biotis SleepWell ingredient to markers of stress reduction and improved sleep quality. The study, conducted in collaboration with researchers from NIZO, provided evidence that supplementing with Biotis SleepWell one hour before bedtime reduced morning cortisol levels, and stimulated the production of Bifidobacterium in the gut, which is linked with improvements in stress and sleep quality.
 
“Often unrecognized and underreported, insufficient sleep is prevalent across demographics, and tackling it is a top priority for many people,” Anne Peter Lindeboom, managing director of innovation at FrieslandCampina Ingredients, said. “Which is why we developed Biotis SleepWell to inspire manufacturers to innovate to improve consumers’ sleep quality. Our aim has been to leverage a unique combination of high-quality ingredients to support falling asleep, helping people to sleep through the night, and facilitate waking up refreshed.”
 
The double-blind, randomized crossover study, which had intervention periods of three weeks each, recruited 70 adults between the ages of 30 and 50 who were suffering with moderate sleep disturbances. The participants in the experimental groups respectively received a daily dose of Biotis SleepWell, a product concept which contains the prebiotic GOS (galacto-oligosaccharides), dairy protein-derived amino acids tryptophan and cysteine, and complementary vitamins and minerals, which was administered one hour before bedtime.
 
Participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire to measure self-reported sleep quality, and cortisol levels were measured through five saliva samples. In addition, microbiota analysis was carried out prior to the intervention periods, and after three weeks of intervention.
 
Following the 21-day intervention period, participants who took the supplement demonstrated reduced cortisol levels compared to a control group, while microbiota analysis showed that the experimental group had improved markers of gut health according to Bifidobacteria levels, which are linked to improved sleep quality. Those who were in the lower portion of sleep quality index scores had improvements in sleep quality after 14 days of intervention compared to those taking a placebo.
 
The changes seen in the experimental participants indicated that the ingredient can relieve moderate sleep disturbance in adults with a maximum effect after two weeks of daily supplementation, but further confirmation is warranted, the authors of the study concluded.
 
“We’re very excited that this study has provided further evidence of the link between the gut microbiome and mental wellbeing, as well as how psychobiotics like Biotis SleepWell could reduce feelings of stress and improve sleep quality,” Lindeboom said. “These findings are crucial, not only for further exploration of the gut-brain axis, but also to help food, drink, and supplement manufacturers produce clinically-proven solutions that respond to consumer desire to improve overall health and wellbeing.”

“Nutrition and health go hand in hand – consumers are increasingly turning to natural products with substantiated health benefits to improve their quality of life,” Gisella Frijink, CEO of NIZO, said. “We believe partnership and a multidisciplinary approach are essential elements to deliver on this expectation and solve the health problems faced by today’s consumers. We’re really excited to yet again be collaborating with FrieslandCampina Ingredients to bring this innovative field of research to life, demonstrating the most cutting-edge nutritional science in relation to the gut microbiome and the gut-brain axis.”