BENEO-Institute Experts Show Benefits of Gut Micro

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Oct. 17, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The BENEO-Institute, an initiative of BENEO, one of the leading manufacturers in functional ingredients, will host an expert exchange discussing the science behind ways to positively affect gut microbiota to eat less and improve metabolism.  The session, being held during the Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo™ (FNCE), will be led by Dr. Raylene Reimer on Sunday October 22 in Room #W 471 A at McCormick Place West in Chicago.  The briefing takes place from 12 noon to 1 p.m. with a “healthy lunch” available beginning at 11:45 a.m.

Dr. Reimer, (Ph.D.,R.D.), Associate Professor in the Faculties of Kinesiology and Medicine at the University of Calgary, will explain how prebiotic fibers from chicory root benefit the gut microbiota and how this relates to successful weight management.  She will  present new science regarding the gut-brain axis, effects on body composition, satiety, energy intake in adults, children, and during pregnancy, and much more.

Weight management is a concern for many health professionals. Rapidly growing science is showing that the role of gut microbiota in weight management is leading to an increased interest in the quality of carbohydrates and dietary fibers, which play an important role when it comes to influencing the gut microbiota.

“Digestive health matters at any age,” said Anke Sentko, Vice President Regulatory Affairs and Nutrition Communication at BENEO.  “Studies show that BENEO’s prebiotic chicory root fibers effectively support digestive health in children and adults.  Chicory root fibers, inulin and oligofructose are the best-studied prebiotic fibers.  They support regularity and wellbeing, which meet consumers’ needs and make them an important focus for many food and drink manufacturers.”

BENEO’s Orafti Inulin and Oligofructose are natural, non-GMO, clean label prebiotic fibers that are derived from chicory root via a gentle hot water extraction method.

The physiological mechanisms underlying digestive support by chicory root fibers are related to their prebiotic effect.  They selectively stimulate the growth of good bacteria promoting saccharolytic fermentation, in particular, Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli.  EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) described the underlying fermentation-driven mechanism in their positive opinion on Orafti ^® Inulin and the improvement of regularity ⁱ .

Dr. Reimer has conducted numerous randomized controlled trials with prebiotics which have helped take evidence-based findings into clinical and consumer application. In addition, Dr. Reimer was one of 12 experts worldwide to recently draft and publish the updated definition and consensus statement on prebiotics. In 2012, she was honored with the Centrum New Scientist Award for Outstanding Research by the Canadian Nutrition Society.

About BENEO

For further information on BENEO and its ingredients, please visit: www.beneo.com and www.beneonews.com or follow BENEO on Twitter: @_BENEO or LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/beneo

BENEO offers functional ingredients derived from chicory roots, beet sugar, rice, and wheat. BENEO is the ideal partner to help improve a product in its nutritional and technological characteristics. Key nutritional benefits are ‘less fat’, ‘less sugar’, ‘less calories’, ‘added fiber’, ‘gluten-free’ and dairy alternatives as well as energy management, digestive, bone, and dental health. Key technological benefits focus on taste and texture improvements. Through a unique chain of expertise, including the BENEO-Institute that provides decisive insights into nutrition science and legislation, and the BENEO-Technology Center that consults in application technology, BENEO actively supports customers in the development of more balanced and healthy food products.

BENEO is a division of the Südzucker Group, employs almost 900 people and has production units in Belgium, Chile, Germany and Italy. www.BENEO.com

For further press information, please contact: Dawn Fontaine Ripple Effect Communications Tel: 508-353-3777 Email: dawn@rippleeffectpr.com

For further information, please contact: Claudia Meissner, Head of Corporate Communication, BENEO Maximilianstraße 10, 68165 Mannheim, Germany Phone: +49 621 421-148 Fax: +49 621 421-160

ⁱ EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) (2015) Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to “native chicory inulin” and maintenance of normal defecation by increasing stool frequency pursuant to Article 13.5 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/20061. EFSA Journal 13 (1) 3951.Citation: “Inulin resists hydrolysis and absorption in the human small intestine, but reaches the large intestine essentially complete, where it is fermented to short-chain fatty acids, lactate and gases by colonic bacteria. This is accompanied by an increase in bacterial cell mass and a higher water content of digesta. In this way Orafti®Inulin leads to softer stools and facilitated excretion as well as to an enhanced propulsion of colonic contents via chemical and mechanical stimulation of the peristaltic reflex and hence an increase in the frequency of bowel movements.”