Scientific Study Shows Improved Fat Oxidation and

PARSIPPANY, N.J., May 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new scientific study by Professor Daniel König ⁱ and his team at the Department of Sports and Sport Sciences of the University of Freiburg, Germany, has shown that with a pre-load of BENEO’s Palatinose™ endurance athletes “maintained a more stable blood glucose profile and higher fat oxidation, which resulted in improved cycling performance compared with maltodextrin.”

The study used a randomized, double-blind cross-over design to compare the effects of Palatinose™ and maltodextrin on fuel flexibility - the switch between fat and carbohydrates as an energy source and the subsequent effect on performance.  The study included 20 experienced cyclists with each of them consuming 750 ml of a 10% carbohydrate drink before undertaking a 90-minute endurance exercise at moderate intensity level (60% VO2 max) and a subsequent time trial performance test.

Results gathered from the study highlighted that when the athletes consumed the drink containing Palatinose™ they showed higher fat oxidation rates during the 90-minute endurance trial and performed better in the subsequent sprint test. On average, the athletes finished the time trial an entire minute faster with the drink containing Palatinose™ and were able to pedal more powerfully in the final five minutes of the time trial, compared to the maltodextrin control.

The results also demonstrated that Palatinose™ stabilized the blood glucose profile, with a lower blood glucose rise before exercise, and maintained this level throughout endurance exercise. As a result, a higher fat burning rate and lowered carbohydrate oxidation in energy metabolism were promoted. 

The key to these metabolic improvements lies in the physiological properties of Palatinose™. As a slowly and fully available carbohydrate, Palatinose™ provides its energy in a more steady way with a lower rise in blood glucose levels over longer time. These unique properties, as the authors explain, allow for “a greater reliance on fat oxidation and [the] sparing of glycogen during the initial endurance exercise.”

Study findings illustrate that the type of carbohydrate consumed plays an important role for fuel flexibility and endurance. Sport drinks and pouches traditionally contain high glycemic carbohydrates, such as maltodextrin or glucose, as low glycemic, highly-tolerated carbohydrate alternatives of this quality were not available until recently. However, this study shows that if high fat oxidation rates are wanted or required, as an example for basic endurance training, or for key phases in competitive endurance activity, then BENEO’s Palatinose™ delivers clear advantages with its steady and sustained carbohydrate energy supply.

Anke Sentko, Vice President Regulatory Affairs and Nutrition Communication at BENEO, comments, “The results of this study show that BENEO’s Palatinose™ improves fat oxidation during endurance exercise, in line with the specific properties of Palatinose™ in delivering slower and sustained release, full carbohydrate energy and a lower rise in blood glucose levels.  By improving the body’s fat oxidation capacity during high intensity exercise, it saves glycogen for the final sprint, which in turn helps athletes perform better.  Palatinose™ is an innovative carbohydrate choice in sports nutrition. Athletes and sports people who have tried it out in their daily practice report that they feel the difference from its steady and sustained energy release. There is market demand for such sports nutrition products and the findings of this study offer food and drink manufacturers a way that they can develop products that help people achieve their sporting goals.”

Derived from sugar beet - and also found in honey - Palatinose™, like sucrose, is a fully digestible disaccharide-type carbohydrate composed of glucose and fructose.  Yet, as a result of its stronger linkage, it provides carbohydrate energy in a more steady and sustained way, with less effect on blood glucose levels and insulin.  It creates an improved metabolic profile with more stable blood glucose levels and a higher contribution of fat utilization in energy metabolism.

Editor’s Notes: The unique properties of Palatinose™ to promote higher fat burning rates in energy metabolism have been shown in a large body of research including more than 10 human intervention studies. They were conducted in context with sports and physical activity or in the context with body weight management.

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

The BENEO-Institute is an organization, which brings together BENEO’s expertise from Nutrition Science and Legislation teams. It acts as an advisory body for customers and partners reaching from ingredient approval, physiological effects and nutritional composition to communication and labelling. The key nutritional topics of the BENEO-Institute’s work include weight management, digestive health, bone health, physical and mental performance, the effects of a low glycemic diet as well as dental health.

The BENEO-Institute facilitates access to the latest scientific research and knowledge throughout all nutritional and regulatory topics related to BENEO ingredients. It provides BENEO customers and partners with substantiated guidance for some of the most critical questions in the food industry. BENEO is a division of the Südzucker Group, employs 900 people and has production units in Belgium, Chile, Germany and Italy. www.BENEO.com www.BENEOnews.com

For further press information, please contact: Dawn Fontaine at Ripple Effect Communications + 1 508 353 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 Email: Claudia.Meissner@beneo.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/Attachm...52012f5a79

_____________________________

ⁱ Reference: König D, Zdzieblik D, Holz A, Theis S, Gollhofer A (2016) Substrate utilization and cycling performance following Palatinose™ ingestion: A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Nutrients 8(7): 390. doi: 10.3390/nu8070390, Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4963866/