Breads, smoothies, and cereals containing ‘supercharged’ fiber might hit the European market in the next year. This specialized fiber enhances the release of appetite-regulating hormones like GLP-1, which aids in preventing weight gain. The fiber has been approved as safe for consumption by the European Food Safety Authority.

“Randomized controlled trials involving middle-aged individuals demonstrated that daily intake helps protect against weight gain,” says Gary Frost from Imperial College London. “While we didn’t observe weight impact in younger subjects, there was a notable improvement in body composition, resulting in increased lean body mass.”

Dietary fiber consists of indigestible molecules, yet certain gut bacteria can process them. This breakdown produces short-chain fatty acids, which stimulate the release of appetite-reducing hormones such as PYY and GLP-1—effects similar to those seen with weight loss medications like Ozempic.

However, to achieve these benefits, a significant fiber intake is necessary. Animal research indicates about 80 grams of fiber is required to trigger adequate short-chain fatty acid production for hormonal release, according to Douglas Morrison from the University of Glasgow, UK. Although most recommendations suggest consuming a minimum of 25 to 30 grams of fiber daily, many people fall short.

Remarkably, even just 10 grams a day of a potent fiber known as inulin propionate (IPE) can yield this desired effect. In a randomized control study involving 60 overweight participants aged 40-65, Frost, Morrison, and their team demonstrated that blood levels of GLP-1 and PYY rose after 10 grams of IPE was consumed, leading to decreased food intake. Over six months, none of the IPE recipients experienced significant weight gain, whereas 17% in the control group did. A minor side effect observed was increased bloating, common with high-fiber diets.

In another randomized control trial involving 270 overweight individuals aged 20-40, there was no marked weight difference after one year between those who consumed IPE and those who did not. However, IPE consumers saw an average gain of over 1 kilogram in lean body mass.

IPE was developed 15 years ago by Frost while researching the effects of short-chain fatty acids on the large intestine. Direct consumption was not feasible due to its unpleasant taste and pre-absorption in the small intestine. “Methods to introduce it orally or rectally are uncomfortable,” notes Morrison.

To counteract this, Morrison synthesized IPE by combining propionate with inulin, a widely used fiber supplement derived from several plants.

Once ingested, IPE passes through the stomach and small intestine, where gut bacteria break it down. The liberated inulin acts as regular fiber, while the released propionate boosts short-chain fatty acid levels sufficient to trigger GLP-1 and PYY release. “[The propionate is pivotal in addressing fiber consumption issues,” Morrison adds.

After 12 years of research, Frost, Morrison, and their team finally secured approval from the European Food Safety Authority. “Few academic teams have transitioned research from the lab to a viable food product,” Frost states.

This approval is valid in the European Union, with expectations for UK regulators to follow shortly. Frost and Morrison are in discussions with companies to launch IPE-infused products like smoothies, cereals, and breads. “I anticipate IPE will debut on the EU market within a year,” Morrison predicts. While most individuals do not detect added IPE, a small minority may perceive it as bitter.

However, Brendan Gabriel, a researcher at the University of Aberdeen, UK, questions the strength of evidence supporting IPE’s benefits. The initial trial demonstrating its effectiveness in weight maintenance for those over 40 involved limited participants, whereas the trial highlighting lean mass increase in younger individuals lacked clarity on whether the growth was muscular or comprised other non-fat tissues. He emphasizes, “Nonetheless, incorporating fiber into a nutritious diet or through IPE supplements may provide various health advantages and promote gut health.”

Professor Frost expressed interest in further research, particularly regarding IPE’s role in maintaining lean body mass when using GLP-1 medications and its potential to minimize weight gain upon medication cessation.