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Carbohydrate promotes fat mobilisation

Recent studies confirm that the low-glycaemic carbohydrate Palatinose promotes utilisation of body fat as an energy source and improves metabolic fat oxidation, as compared with other carbohydrates.

Palatinose is the only carbohydrate to provide a sustained supply of energy in form of glucose, while at the same time supporting fat mobilisation.

Palatinit will present the results of these new studies along with product concepts for Palatinose at FiE 2007 in London.

Scientific studies conducted at renowned research institutes in Germany and Japan have investigated the influence of Palatinose on lipid metabolism.

The Japanese study examined the effects of Palatinose on plasma glucose, insulin levels and fat content in the blood, as well as its possible influence on energy production from the body’s carbohydrate or lipid reserves.

After the consumption of a Palatinose or dextrin-based liquid meal, subjects were monitored for a four-hour period during which they were physically inactive.

A considerably higher concentration of free fatty acids was found after ingestion of Palatinose compared with the dextrin-based control formula, proving a measurable higher rate of fat oxidation.

A lower rate of energy production from carbohydrates was noted, while the fat burning rate increased significantly.

Improved fat burning during Sporting Activity

Research completed in 2007 at Freiburg University’s Centre for Internal Medicine’s Department of Rehabilitation, Prevention and Sports Medicine studied the effects of sports drinks both with and without Palatinose on the use of fat and carbohydrates as a source of energy.

In this study, 21 male endurance athletes consumed either a sports drink based on low-glycaemic Palatinose, one based on high-glycaemic maltodextrin or a carbohydrate-free control solution before, during and after a test run.

Throughout the entire test a lower respiratory quotient was measured for Palatinose as compared with maltodextrin, indicating a higher oxidation rate for fat than for carbohydrates.

Overall, the proportion of energy supplied by fat was 25% higher for the Palatinose group than for the maltodextrin group.

Multiple product positioning possibilities

Both studies confirm that during activity and at rest Palatinose increases the proportion of total energy requirements produced from fat.

This suggests that the low-glycaemic sugar can play an important role in weight management.

Athletes derive dual benefits from the new functional carbohydrate.

On the one hand, they profit from a sustained supply of energy provided by Palatinose in form of glucose, on the other hand they can obtain a greater amount of energy from their own body fats, sparing carbohydrate sources and improving performance.

Whether for weight management or in support of training, Palatinose opens up new product positioning and labelling opportunities for manufacturers of functional drinks.

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