A team of eight scientists at the Nestle Institute of Health Sciences in Lausanne, Switzerland say that they have identified how an enzyme in charge of regulating the metabolism can be stimulated by a compound called C13 which mimics the fat-burning effect of exercise.
The scientists say that their task now is to look for natural substances that can act as triggers to stimulate the C13 compound, Bloomberg reports.
Fruit and plant extracts are currently being examined to identify which ones could modulate the enzyme known as AMPK which facilitates the body’s use of sugar and fat. Kei Sakamoto, a scientist who oversees research on diabetes and circadian rhythms at Nestle, says that the goal is to create a product that has the ability to mimic the effect of exercise for those that are less mobile.
“The enzyme can help people who can’t tolerate or continue rigorous exercise,” Sakamoto told Bloomberg. “Instead of 20 minutes of jogging or 40 minutes of cycling, it may help boost metabolism with moderate exercise like brisk walking. They’d get similar effects with less strain.”
Sakamoto said that testing of the product on animals will not occur for at least the next few years.
The development of a fat-burning beverage is in line with Nestle’s new strategic direction which involves selling off weak food brands in favour of scientific lines.
Nestle recently sold its PowerBar business as well as the bulk of its Jenny Craig business, stating that further divestments of other underperforming brands could also take place.