Sponsored Content

Study shows BENEO’s Palatinose™ stimulates the release of GLP-1 in overweight adults

6 Mar 2025

A new study, led by Prof. Andreas Pfeiffer (Zhang et al.), demonstrates that intake of the naturally sourced, smart carbohydrate Palatinose™ stimulates the release of beneficial gut hormones including GLP-1 in overweight adults, even if its consumption is followed by a meal. The findings show that Palatatinose™ (isomaltulose) has a beneficial effect on metabolic parameters that are important for maintaining a healthy body weight, blood glucose control and cardiovascular health.

Study shows BENEO’s Palatinose™ stimulates the release of GLP-1 in overweight adults
© Beneo

A new study, led by Prof. Andreas Pfeiffer (Zhang et al.i ), demonstrates that intake of the naturally sourced, smart carbohydrate Palatinose™ stimulates the release of beneficial gut hormones including GLP-1 in overweight adults, even if its consumption is followed by a meal. 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. GLP-1 has beneficial impacts on the metabolism including the reduction of appetite and thereby weight gain. The benefits of the gut hormone are widely studied and drugs mimicking the effects of GLP-1 are used in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. Some of these treatments have recently gained a huge amount of interest for reducing obesity and are being positioned as ‘weight loss’ drugs. The findings of this latest study show how Palatinose™ can instead enhance the release of the body’s own GLP-1.

The study was designed to explore the effect of Palatinose™, compared to sucrose, on the release of gut hormones. Using a double-blind, randomised, 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 a nine-hour period. The first three hours of measurement showed the volunteers’ metabolic response to breakfast, with no intervention. At the three-hour marker, a drink containing 50g isomaltulose or 50g sucrose was consumed, followed by lunch one hour later. The results showed that those who had consumed the isomaltulose, even as pre-lunch drink, produced significantly higher 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™ promotes the release of gut hormones including GLP-1 even when consumed one hour 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 which contribute to a better metabolic state and therefore provides benefits beyond slow released and sustained energy. Commenting on the findings, Dr Stephan Theis, Head of Nutrition Science at BENEO said: “Research on metabolism regulating gut hormones is an exciting topic for clinical nutrition and meal replacement applications. This study’s focus on older, overweight and obese participants, with or without diabetes mellitus, makes it highly relevant for a large part of the global population. The findings add to the already existing scientific evidence on isomaltulose’s ability to support metabolic health in daily life situations, including a higher secretion of the beneficial gut hormone GLP-1 in the general population. Once again, BENEO’s slow-release carbohydrate Palatinose™ has been shown to be effective and suitable in product developments for weight management
and blood glucose management.”

The total of the scientific evidence also supports corresponding structure/function claims in the USA like “Palatinose™ supports an increased release of GLP-1”.
BENEO’s Palatinose™ (isomaltulose) is a naturally sourced, smart carbohydrate that provides full carbohydrate energy (4kcal/g) in a more balanced way, thanks to its low-glycaemic profile. As a result of its slow-release properties, Palatinose™ reaches the lower parts of the small intestine thereby promoting the release of GLP-1. It is generated through the enzymatic rearrangement of the glycosidic bond between the glucose and fructose linkage in sucrose and is 100% vegan,
kosher, halal, non-GMO and non-cariogenic.
 

 

Zhang J. et al (2024); Isomaltulose Enhances GLP-1 and PYY Secretion to a Mixed Meal in People With or Without Type 2 Diabetes as Compared to Saccharose. Molecular Nutrition and Food Research. 68(4):e2300086, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38332571/ (online since 08/02/2024)

Read More

Related news

Benefits of using natural antioxidants in food

Benefits of using natural antioxidants in food

20 Nov 2025

The dietary habits of individuals are undergoing a transformation, with consumers increasingly seeking new, healthier, and higher-quality formulas. This shift signifies a growing awareness of food ingredients, including preservatives, additives, a...

Read more 
Oat Barista: Innovation  for game-changing beverages

Oat Barista: Innovation for game-changing beverages

20 Nov 2025

Oat Barista is a clean label, sustainable, and innovative drink base specifically designed to create the perfect foam in one single ingredient.

Read more 
The Umami Renaissance: Clean Label & Cost Control with Ready-to-Use Fungal Bases

The Umami Renaissance: Clean Label & Cost Control with Ready-to-Use Fungal Bases

19 Nov 2025

Consumers demand authentic, rich flavor (Umami) and simple labels. The fungal protein market is growing at a 5.6% CAGR, offering manufacturers the solution: heat-stable, natural bases that eliminate prep costs and supply risks associated with raw wild ...

Read more 
Azelis brings a taste of global street food innovation to Food Ingredients Europe 2025

Azelis brings a taste of global street food innovation to Food Ingredients Europe 2025

18 Nov 2025

Azelis, the reference innovation service provider in the speciality chemicals and food ingredients industry, will showcase its latest Food & Nutrition innovations at Food Ingredients Europe (FiE) 2025, taking place from 2 to 4 December at Paris Expo Po...

Read more 
PharmaLinea acquired by ANJAC Health & Beauty Group

PharmaLinea acquired by ANJAC Health & Beauty Group

18 Nov 2025

Ljubljana, 12.11. 2025 PharmaLinea, a leading provider of clinically supported private label food supplements has announced its acquisition by ANJAC Health & Beauty, a French industrial group that now comprises 17 complementary companies with R&D an...

Read more 
The Heat Test: How Encapsulation and Bases are Ending the Multi-Billion Dollar Flavor Fade

The Heat Test: How Encapsulation and Bases are Ending the Multi-Billion Dollar Flavor Fade

18 Nov 2025

Flavor degradation during heat processing is a major financial risk in food manufacturing. In 2025, R&D is shifting to advanced encapsulation and heat-stable bases to protect volatile flavor compounds and ensure final product consistency.

Read more 
Use Case Spotlight: Versatile Bases Solve Key Challenges in Ready Meals, Sauces, and Cheese

Use Case Spotlight: Versatile Bases Solve Key Challenges in Ready Meals, Sauces, and Cheese

17 Nov 2025

Ready-to-use bases are the manufacturing solution for the $425 Billion RTE market. Our versatile ingredients solve core issues in three top categories: taste, clean-label compliance, and complex texture stability.

Read more 
Hilmar Cheese & Whey Protein Awarded Medals

Hilmar Cheese & Whey Protein Awarded Medals

17 Nov 2025

Hilmar Cheese Company, Inc. was awarded top honors at the CheeseCon banquet celebrating the United States Championship Cheese Contest® on April 17, 2025.

Read more 
Hilmar Cuts the Ribbon at New Dodge City Facility

Hilmar Cuts the Ribbon at New Dodge City Facility

17 Nov 2025

Hilmar Cheese Company, Inc., one of the world’s largest cheese manufacturers and a global supplier of high-quality whey ingredients was joined by Kansas Governor Kelly, U.S. Senator Moran and other federal, state and local officials to officially mark ...

Read more 
Data Insight: Clean-Label Adoption Drives US$425 Billion Market, Prioritizing Simplicity and Natural Flavors

Data Insight: Clean-Label Adoption Drives US$425 Billion Market, Prioritizing Simplicity and Natural Flavors

14 Nov 2025

The Clean Label Products market is projected to grow from US$425.32 billion in 2025 to over US$712 billion by 2034, driven by consumers prioritizing recognizability, minimal processing, and natural ingredient replacement.

Read more