Healthy lifestyle requires smart macronutrients

CONSUMING better quality carbohydrates is just as important as increasing physical activity for an improved lifestyle. This was the message of BENEO-Institute’s vice president of Regulatory Affairs & Nutrition Communication, Anke Sentko during her speech at the 30^th Scientific Conference of the Nutrition Society of Malaysia, held in from 2-3 June in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Addressing participants at the 30th Scientific Conference of the Nutrition Society of Malaysia, BENEO-Institute's Anke Sentko said choosing slowly available carbohydrates and natural dietary fibers help shape the metabolic set up for healthier ageing

Optimized nutrition and smart macronutrients that support a good metabolic set up are key to a healthier life,” Ms Sentko said. “This is why it is decisive to make better ingredient choices when creating food and beverage product, in order to convey nutritional and health benefits to consumers. In the development of new product formulations BENEO supports the food industry with sound nutrition science, advice in formulations, as well as, consumer and market insights.”

Carbohydrates deliver more than 50% of people‘s daily caloric intake therefore their quality matters, said Ms Senko. The slowly, but fully, available carbohydrate Palatinose™ (generic name: isomaltulose) supports a low and steady blood glucose response. Consequently, it offers a more balanced supply of glucose. This leads to a higher contribution of fat oxidation in energy metabolism, hence potentially providing longer-term benefits for glucose control, body composition and weight management.

At the conference, Ms Sentko presented the benefits of the prebiotic fibers inulin and oligofructose derived from chicory roots. Various studies confirm the physiological benefits of these natural dietary fibers and proven prebiotics. They contribute to digestive health by stimulating the normal gut flora and supporting normal bowel movements. Additionally, inulin and oligofructose have shown their effectiveness in weight management for every age. Ms Sentko shared some exciting new scientific research findings that point to chicory root fibers being able to increase satiety in children and thus, help them eat less, in a natural manner.