Peer-reviewed study finds fibre may boost focus potentially involving the gut-microbiome

Tate & Lyle PLC, a global leader in ingredient solutions for healthier food and beverages, welcomes the publication of a new peer-reviewed study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, which sheds light on how soluble corn fibre may support cognitive function.

Through a randomised placebo-controlled crossover trial involving healthy middle-aged and older adults, researchers found that daily intake of soluble corn fibre significantly improved focus, while also boosting gut bacteria in ways that may support brain function.

Researchers set out to test whether soluble dietary fibre, already known to support gastrointestinal and physical health, could also improve cognitive performance by changing the gut microbiota, an emerging area of research. The study specifically evaluated the effects of soluble corn fibre on cognitive performance, gut microbiota composition, and the substances those bacteria produce, with the aim of identifying changes in the gut environment affecting cognitive function.

Over a four-week period, forty-two participants consumed soluble corn fibre daily and carried out tests to measure their memory and ability to focus attention. Researchers found that soluble corn fibre consumption led to selectively improved response times during tests compared with the control and increased the abundance of Parabacteroides. Parabacteroides are bacteria that have been linked to possible anti-inflammatory effects, gut barrier protection, and gut derived compounds that could be relevant to gut-brain communication and health outcomes [1].

Dr. David A. Alvarado, lead researcher, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, said: “Soluble fibre is well known for supporting gut and overall physical health, but we are still learning how specific fibres might influence the brain. In our study, consuming soluble corn fibre significantly improved how quickly participants responded during tests of attention and inhibitory control, without sacrificing accuracy. We also saw consistent shifts in the gut microbiota, including increases in Parabacteroides distasonis, a microbe that is well suited to break down this fibre. The extent of the cognitive improvement varied with the magnitude of change in Parabacteroides. These findings point to a gut microbiome signal that may partly help explain how soluble corn fibre supports aspects of brain-related performance.”

Dr. Clare Leonard, VP Nutrition and Health Sciences, Tate & Lyle, said: “There is so much potential for better health outcomes through targeted feeding of the gut microbiota. Fibre is the greatest underutilised resource in our diets. We are seeing studies linking the gut-heart axis, gut-brain axis, and so much more. What’s so wonderful is the solution isn’t an exclusive or expensive supplement but an affordable ingredient that consumers and the industry can easily build into everyday diets: soluble corn fibre. Increasing intakes could be a major unlock for public health.”

Abigail Storms, VP Sweeteners and Fibres, Tate & Lyle, said: ”The science of the gut–brain axis is advancing rapidly, and this study is a powerful example of how nutrition can support cognitive outcomes in ways consumers increasingly care about. Our market insights show strong demand for benefits like focus and stress support, but also a disconnect: people are seeking these outcomes while the industry is still in the early stages of clearly explaining how fibre, prebiotics, and probiotics really work. Evidence that soluble corn fibre can improve focus and positively shift gut bacteria helps bridge that gap, reinforces how everyday ingredients can play a meaningful role in wellbeing. With fibre intakes globally well below recommended levels, connecting this kind of science to consumer-friendly benefits is an important step toward motivating the higher fibre consumption we know is needed.”

The peer-reviewed study has been published in The Journal of Nutrition and was part-funded by Tate & Lyle. The soluble corn fibre used in the study was Tate & Lyle’s PROMITOR^® Soluble Fibre.

Prinova has identified growing demand for ingredients for the mind as one of nine emerging food, beverage and nutrition “mega-trends”. In a new report on functional health trends, it also spotlights the increasing prominence of branded ingredients, and growing demand for “real foods”.

The leading provider of ingredients and premixes commissioned expert researchers to analyse patterns in retail and food service and to conduct social media listening. This allowed it to build a framework of nine macro-trends that will shape the industry in 2024 and beyond.

The report highlights the growing number of products containing adaptogens and nootropics, which it attributes to factors such as enduring concerns around performance, focus and “brain fog” in the wake of the pandemic. It also notes growing demand for natural sources of caffeine, such as yerba and matcha, as consumers seek “an antidote to boom and bust caffeination”. Meanwhile, ongoing talk about the stress of modern life, coupled with research on the importance of sleep and rest, has led to “an array of adaptogenic ingredients” being included in everyday food and beverage products.

The Prinova report also notes that “branded ingredients are emerging from the depths of the ingredient list, with logos making their way to the front of product packaging, “particularly in categories like plant-based and performance nutrition. Prinova’s range of branded ingredients includes enduracarb^® , a science-backed, slow-release ‘double sugar’ for endurance, and Bacopin^®, a bacopa monniera ingredient which, studies show, may help improve memory and attention.

Other mega-trends identified in the report include:

• ‘Real Food Rules’: A shift away from complicated ingredient lists as consumers embrace ingredients in their most natural, unprocessed form. This includes recognising the benefit of animal-based products again, including previously maligned elements such as full fat.
• ‘Hack my Health’: With growing interest in the way products interact with our genotypes, phenotypes and lifestyles, companies are increasingly offering personalised services to cater for unique needs.
• ‘Targeted Nutrition’: Consumers are increasingly aware of the nutritional interventions they can make to improve their wellbeing at different life stages. More knowledgeable than ever, they are looking for products with detailed claims.

James Street, Marketing Director, EMEA & APAC at Prinova, said: “Consumers are looking to food, beverage and nutrition products to meet a growing number of needs. To identify where the opportunities are, and to help our customers create innovative, new products, we’ve created a future-facing framework that identifies the most important emerging trends. We’ve seen how consumers are looking for nutritional ‘hacks’ in areas like cognitive performance and emotional wellbeing, while also yearning for a return to products with ‘real food’ or ‘natural’ credentials. And our research also shows that manufacturers are recognising branded ingredients as one of the best ways to communicate science-backed benefits and bolster credibility.”

Discover the emerging trends in the full report: https://www.prinovaglobal.com/eu/en/resources/news/2024-and-2025-trends