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.
A groundbreaking stevia composition for cost-effective, premium sweetening
Tate & Lyle PLC, a world leader in ingredient solutions for healthier food and beverages, unveils its new stevia composition, OPTIMIZER STEVIA® 8.10. This innovative ingredient delivers the highly desired premium taste profile closest to sugar, even at high sugar replacement levels, while offering a more cost-effective solution than other premium sweeteners.
This stevia composition offers a comprehensive set of benefits for both manufacturers and consumers. With OPTIMIZER STEVIA® 8.10, manufacturers gain access to a versatile, great tasting stevia at a lower cost-in-use, offering an improved value compared to other premium stevia sweeteners. This translates to delicious, low-calorie options that meet consumer demand without compromising on taste. The unique composition qualifies for labelling as “stevia extract”, (following JECFA* guidance) aligning with consumer preference for a sweetener derived from nature.1**
With versatility across applications, OPTIMIZER STEVIA® 8.10 is ideal for achieving a superior taste profile in high sugar-replacement formulations like nutrition bars and shakes, functional beverages, vitamin gummies, and yoghurt.
Abigail Storms, Senior Vice President Global Platform, Sweeteners & Fibers, Tate & Lyle said: “OPTIMIZER STEVIA® 8.10 is a breakthrough for the industry. We’ve leveraged our technical expertise to create a sweetener that not only meets the highest standards of taste and quality but also delivers cost savings to our customers. OPTIMIZER STEVIA® 8.10 opens a world of possibilities for food and beverage manufacturers because they no longer have to compromise on taste because of cost. Whether you’re looking to improve taste, reduce costs, or enhance the nutritional profile of your products, OPTIMIZER STEVIA® 8.10 delivers on all fronts.”
This development underscores Tate & Lyle’s unwavering commitment to scientific innovation. Through proprietary production processes, the company has unlocked the potential of previously underutilised steviol glycosides, naturally occurring components within the stevia leaf. This innovative process developed by Tate & Lyle’s scientists and engineers enables greater use of the stevia leaf extract, promoting more efficient manufacturing processes.
1Tate & Lyle Proprietary Research, 2024 Global Consumer Ingredient Perception Research – US; Base size n=302
*Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives
**The applicability of label claims and the regulatory and intellectual property status of Tate & Lyle ingredients varies by jurisdiction
Tate & Lyle PLC announce the appointment of David Hearn as a Director and Chair of the Board of Tate & Lyle from 1 January 2024. On appointment, he will also become Chair of the Nominations Committee.
David Hearn is a highly experienced Chair both of listed companies and privately owned businesses. He currently serves as Chair of Safestore Holdings plc and is also Chair of The a2 Milk Company, a company listed on the New Zealand and Australian Stock Exchanges, a position he will step down from on 16 November 2023. He is a non-executive director of Lovat Partners Ltd.
In a career spanning more than 40 years, David has held senior roles in a number of global businesses, including in the food and beverage industry with Del Monte, PepsiCo and United Biscuits. David served as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Goodman Fielder, a listed Australian food business, from 1995 to 2001 and also as CEO of Cordiant Group plc in the US from 2001 to 2003. In 2005, he was appointed CEO of Committed Capital, an international private equity and advisory firm based in London and Sydney, for whom he acted as Chair of a wide range of portfolio businesses over a twelve-year period.
David Hearn will succeed Warren Tucker who has been Interim Chair since 1 September 2023. Warren will continue to serve as a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee after he steps down as Interim Chair.
Paul Forman, Senior Independent Director, who led the search for the new Chair, will retire from the Board on 31 December 2023 and, as previously announced, Kim Nelson will take up the position of Senior Independent Director of Tate & Lyle from 1 January 2024.
Tate & Lyle expands partnership into Greece, Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia
Tate & Lyle PLC, one of the leading global providers of food and beverage ingredients and solutions, is expanding its successful partnership with distributor Azelis in Europe into three new countries, Greece, Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia, from early 2022.
This means Azelis will now be the distributor of Tate & Lyle’s broad portfolio of ingredients and solutions, including its PROMITOR® Soluble Fibres, CLARIA® Clean Label Starches and Stevia sweeteners, to customers in 17 countries.
Azelis is already Tate & Lyle’s biggest distribution partner in Europe and have worked together since 2003. The strengthening of this partnership will allow Tate & Lyle’s customers in Greece, Bulgaria and North Macedonia to benefit from Azelis’ extensive capabilities in solution selling, application and technical services, as well as their market knowledge and supply chain excellence.
Tate & Lyle PLC, a leading supplier of food and beverage ingredients and solutions, announces a set of ambitious new environmental targets and commitments. These targets are aligned to the delivery of Tate & Lyle’s purpose, Improving Lives for Generations, a key pillar of which is to care for our planet and protect its natural resources for the benefit of future generations.
Tate & Lyle’s new environmental targets are, by 2030, to deliver:
- 30 % absolute reduction in Scope 1 and 2 CO2e emissions, with an ambition to reach 20 % reduction by 2025.
- 15 % absolute reduction in Scope 3 CO2e emissions.
- 100 % of its waste to be beneficially used, with an ambition to reach 75 % by 2025.
- 15 % reduction in water use.
- In adopting these targets, Tate & Lyle commits to:
- Eliminate use of coal from its operations by 2025.
- Establish its Scope 1, 2 and 3 CO2e emissions reductions as Science-Based Targets.
Maintain sustainable acreage equivalent to the volume of corn Tate & Lyle buys globally each year, currently 1.5 million acres, and through partnerships accelerate the adoption of conservation practices.
These new targets and commitments build on the steps already taken to enhance Tate & Lyle’s sustainability across its entire value chain. For example, in September Tate & Lyle announced a landmark sustainable agriculture programme in partnership with TruterraTM (formerly Land O’Lakes SUSTAINTM) to help growers in the US Midwest understand the impact sustainable practices can have on their crops and their profitability, and to adopt them.
To demonstrate its commitment to the new environmental targets, Tate & Lyle has linked the pricing of its US$800 million revolving credit facility, extended in May 2020, to the delivery of its new Scope 1 and 2 CO2e emissions, beneficial waste and water reduction targets.
Nick Hampton, Chief Executive at Tate & Lyle, said: “There has never been a greater need for businesses to address the climate change crisis. One of the key pillars of our purpose of Improving Lives for Generations is to care for our planet and with our new environmental targets and commitments we are taking decisive action to protect our planet’s natural resources for the benefit of future generations.”
Anna Pierce, Director of Sustainability at Tate & Lyle, added: “These stretching new targets demonstrate our steadfast commitment to integrate sustainability into our day-to-day business activities, processes and culture.”
