FOSHU-approved Fibersol®-2 product review

Περίληψη

Fibersol®-2 is manufactured by Matsutani Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. and is sold as a tasteless powder or liquid to be added to foods or beverages. It is approved by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare as a “Standardized FOSHU (Food for Specified Health Uses)” ingredient that contains the bioactive compound, digestion-resistant maltodextrin. Its current designated functions under FOSHU are as a dietary fiber for improving intestinal regularity and for controlling postprandial blood glucose and triglyceride levels. Furthermore, clinical trials have been done in human and animal subjects to investigate other potential health benefits. This product review focuses on English-language publications of studies that tested Fibersol-2 on human subjects. From these studies, there is evidence that Fibersol-2 plays a role in controlling fasting blood glucose levels, improving intestinal function and metabolic syndrome, and increasing satiety in human subjects. However, more studies are needed to draw definite conclusions about the amounts of Fibersol-2 that are needed to observe each health benefit and to confirm the efficacy and significance of Fibersol-2’s benefits in the larger population, particularly the benefits that aren’t designated under FOSHU.

Keywords: Fibersol-2, FOSHU, glucose control, metabolic syndrome, intestinal benefit, microbiome, dietary fiber, satiety