Prebiotic
Digestive disorders – such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and digestive tract cancers – constitute a major public health concern.It is generally accepted that diet and lifestyle play a significant role in mediating such digestive disorders, and this has led to a growing trend for food manufacturers to introduce probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics and fibre into their formulation strategies, to help promote digestive health.
Litesse® is an effective prebiotic –it is a nondigestible food ingredient which passes intact into the colon, where it is partially fermented. It then selectively stimulates the growth of beneficial bacteria, such as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, helping to improve digestive health.
Technically, Litesse® is a highly branched polymer of glucose. Its unique arrangement of glycosidic linkages makes it resistant to hydrolysis by human digestive enzymes.
Because it is not metabolised by the body, Litesse® contributes an energy value of just one kilocalorie per gram (1 kcal/g). It is the preferred speciality carbohydrate for a variety of processed food applications including baked goods, confectionery, dairy products and beverages.
Research findings have also indicated that Litesse®:
- enhances saccharolytic (carbohydrate) fermentation, thus reducing colonic pH
- promotes the generation of short chain fatty acids including propionic and butyric acids which have specifically documented colonic health benefits
- enhances mineral absorption from the colon
- may play a role in reducing colon cancer risk
