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.

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)
Related news
The Global Food Market in 2025: Compliance & Traceability are Your Export Passport
7 Nov 2025
The global B2B Food market, valued at $31.61 Billion in 2025, demands end-to-end traceability to meet evolving regulations (like the EU's Deforestation Regulation) and consumer demand for ethical sourcing.
Read more
Process Efficiency Breakthrough: Ready-to-Use Ingredient Bases Minimize Manufacturing Waste
6 Nov 2025
Faced with persistent labor shortages and rising costs, manufacturers are adopting ready-to-use bases to streamline operations. This strategic integration boosts output, reduces waste, and guarantees product consistency across batches.
Read more
Bord Bia presents Irish dairy ingredient suppliers at Fi Europe
6 Nov 2025
Dairygold Co-operative Society, The Carbery Group, and Ornua Co-operative: Meet with sustainable producers of Irish dairy ingredients at Food ingredients Europe 2025, Hall 7.2 Stand M18.
Read more
Boosting Yeast Protein Production
5 Nov 2025
Revyve raises €24.5 million to scale up FOAK facility in Dinteloord to 1600 MT annually.
Raising total funds up to €40 million.
Yeast Proteins that mimic eggs
5 Nov 2025
Reinventing baked goods and sauces in supermarkets
Imagine a cake that's soft and moist. A cake that tastes like it was baked with loads of eggs, but doesn't contain a single gram of egg.
The Hedgehog Promise: Why Consistency is Our Core Ingredient
5 Nov 2025
Our brand story is not about us—it's about empowering your NPD team. We are your dedicated guide in the journey to scalable, clean-label product success, built on a foundation of trust and consistency.
Read more
The Allure of Morels: Premium Fungi Drive Gourmet Market Growth to $3.7 Billion
4 Nov 2025
The morel market, valued at $2.64 Billion in 2024, is projected to reach $3.71 Billion by 2031, fueled by health benefits and gourmet demand. Rehydrated morels offer the only scalable solution for this premium trend.
Read more
Beyond 'Free-From': The Clean Label Trend is Now About UPF and Sourcing Transparency
3 Nov 2025
Clean label has evolved from simple additive removal to a demand for Minimal Processing and UPF (Ultra-Processed Food) status clarity. We analyze the market to keep your brand ahead of the regulatory curve.
Read more
R&D Co-Pilot: Accelerate NPD with Integrated Scientific Formulation Support
31 Oct 2025
We move beyond merely supplying ingredients. Our R&D model offers co-development, predictive modeling, and regulatory foresight to drastically reduce your time-to-market and reformulation costs.
Read more
Mitigate Risk: The Essential Food Safety Certifications B2B Buyers Demand
30 Oct 2025
In global trade, certifications are non-negotiable. We ensure regulatory compliance and risk reduction for your supply chain through internationally recognized quality and safety standards.
Read more