Emerging research suggests that flaxseed mucilage has interesting prebiotic activity in the body (1). Prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients that promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the intestines (2). Generally fibers, prebiotics are found in asparagus, garlic, onion, fruits, whole grains and legumes. In supporting the growth of beneficial bacteria over harmful bacteria in the human gut, prebiotics can reduce digestive problems and improve immunity. According to a NMI/Nielsen study, digestive health issues affect nearly 4 in 10 adults in North America – fueling growth for digestive health products (3).
In research by Brahe and co-workers, (1), daily use of flaxseed mucilage, but not a probiotic supplement, was shown to improve gut bacteria and insulin sensitivity in overweight women. Probiotics are live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host (4).
This study included 58 postmenopausal obese women who consumed one of the three following products over 6 weeks:
- A probiotic supplement with Lactobacillus paracasei (9 billion CFUs per day) • 10 grams of extracted flaxseed fiber (mucilage) • Placebo – blinded
Flax mucilage was provided in breakfast buns while the placebo group also ate breakfast buns. The probiotics were given in sachets and placebo sachets were given to the other groups.
After the six weeks, the flaxseed group showed a significant increase in gut probiotic bacteria. Populations of 33 genetically different probiotic species were enhanced including the beneficial Bilophila wadsworthia, Parabacteroides merdae and Parabacteroides johnsonii.
Flaxseed mucilage supplementation resulted in a reduction of eight types of bacteria, Eubacterium, Ruminococcus and Faecalibacterium species, which have negative effects in the body. In contrast, the probiotic supplement group did not show significant changes in gut bacteria.
The authors postulate that supplementation of probiotics will have little effect unless they are combined with the intake of prebiotics.
The researchers also reported that only the flaxseed fed group showed a significant reduction in insulin resistance (i.e. an increase in insulin sensitivity) as well as increased cellular glucose sensitivity (as measured by serum C-peptide). Increased glucose sensitivity indicates enhanced cellular uptake of glucose.
Several studies have reported that flax decreases insulin resistance. Dr. Prasad from the University of Saskatchewan has shown that flaxseed and flax lignans improve glycemic control. In addition, secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) reduced blood levels of glucose by as much as 75 percent (5).
The interesting observations of prebiotic effects of flaxseed come at a time when demand for pro- and prebiotics is growing at an impressive rate. The probiotic ingredients market in general and more specifically, the probiotics functional food and beverages market has been one of the most rapidly growing segments of functional and fortified foods. Probiotic sales are projected to reach USD 46.55 billion by 2020 (3).
The global prebiotics market size is estimated to reach USD 7.8 billion by 2022 (4). The primary focus for the science supporting pro- and prebiotic products is as noted, in improving digestive health. It is anticipated that the use of prebiotics in functional foods and beverages, and in dietary supplements, is expected to continue to grow. The prebiotic market offers an exciting new area of innovation for flaxseed!
REFERENCES:
- Brahe LK, Le Chatelier E, Prifti E, Pons N, et al. Dietary modulation of the gut microbiota–a randomised controlled trial in obese postmenopausal women. Br J Nutr. 2015 Aug 14;114(3):406-17. doi: 10.1017/S0007114515001786.
- Roberfroid M, Gibson JA, Hoyles L, McCartney AL, et al. Prebiotic effects: metabolic and health benefits. Br J Nutr. 2010. Volume 104, pp. S1-S63
- http://www.nmisolutions.com/index.php/research-reports/nmi-nielsen-health-reports/opportunities-in-digestive-health-report
- Hill C, Guarner F, Reid G, Gibson GR, et al. The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics consensus statement on the scope and appropriate use of the term probiotic. Nature Rev Gastro Hepatol. June 2014; doi: 10.1038/nrgastro.2014.66.
- Prasad K, Dhar A. Flaxseed and Diabetes. Curr Pharm Des. 2016;22(2):141-4.
- http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/probiotic-market-advanced-technologies-and-global-market-69.html
- http://www.strategyr.com/Marketresearch/Prebiotics_Market_Trends.asp