I am always on the lookout for innovative ingredients that can improve the performance of the products I formulate. One such ingredient that I have been particularly excited about is Palatinose™, also known as isomaltulose. I came across Palatinose™ in 2014 while searching for a sustained-release (low-glycaemic) carbohydrate to use in a line of products for high altitude sports. Low-glycaemic carbohydrates are highly desirable in supplement formulations because they provide sustained energy release and help maintain stable blood sugar levels.
Palatinose was God-sent!
Palatinose™ was a God-sent ingredient because low-glycemic carbohydrate raw materials to use in supplements are very scarce in the supplement industry. Most carbohydrate powders, like Maltodextrin, Dextrose, etc are fast-digesting, which is desirable for certain applications. Certainly, oat flour as a carb source can provide sustained energy but can be challenging to use in certain products.
Palatinose fit the bill perfectly for the following reasons:
1. It is a white fine crystalline powder.
2. The taste is neutral and has a slight sweetness, making it ideal to use in many products. When added to a formulation, it blends in well and does not affect the overall appearance of the product.
3. It provides the full carbohydrate energy (4 calories per gram) unlike other sugar replacers like xylitol.
3. It dissolves easily, depending on the temperature of the liquid.
4. The beneficial effects of the ingredient in health and performance have been tested in many independent studies and studies conducted by the supplier of Palatinose™, Beneo (Germany).
How is Palatinose made?
Palatinose™ is made from sugar beet as a starting material. Sucrose is extracted from it. Sucrose is basically table sugar, consisting of a glucose and fructose molecule bound together.
This sucrose is then subjected to a process called enzymatic rearrangement. This process involves breaking down sucrose, which is table sugar, into glucose and fructose molecules, and then rearranging these molecules to form isomaltulose.
This process results in a carbohydrate that has a similar chemical structure to sucrose but is metabolized more slowly by the body. It has a low glycaemic index (GI) of 32, which means it does not cause a rapid spike in blood sugar levels like high-glycemic carbohydrates do. ability to provide a steady source of glucose to the body over an extended period of time. This helps to prevent the energy crashes that can occur after consuming high-glycaemic carbohydrates. This is especially important for individuals who are watching their blood sugar levels, such as those with diabetes.
The type of products I formulated with Palatinose
The slow-release properties of Palatinose™ make it an excellent ingredient for products that require sustained energy release, such as meal replacement shakes, cognitive support drinks, weight management shakes, and intra-exercise sports drinks.
Neurological formulations
Palatinose™ has been shown to have several benefits for neurological formulations that require sustained brain energy. The slow-release properties of Palatinose™ help to maintain stable blood sugar levels, which in turn can improve mental clarity, focus, and cognitive function.
Learnergy is a neuro-supportive study aid drink that contains Palatinose along with other key ingredients to support brain energy metabolism. Source: Bioteenhealth.com. Disclaimer: I work for Bioteen as product development scientist and Chief Science Officer. The opinions expressed in this article are my own.
Weight Management shakes
In addition to its benefits for sustained energy release, Palatinose™ has also been shown to have a positive effect on weight management. Studies have shown that consuming Palatinose™ can increase fat oxidation and decrease fat storage in the body, which makes it an ideal ingredient for weight loss shakes and meal replacement shakes.
Biolean high protein shakes helps delay post-meal hunger and reduce appetite between meals whilst supporting blood sugar levels. Source: Bioteenhealth.com. Disclaimer: I work for Bioteen as product development scientist and Chief Science Officer. The opinions expressed in this article are my own.
Intra-Exercise Sports drinks
The low-glycaemic properties of Palatinose™ makes it ideal for athletes who require prolonged energy for sustained periods of time, such as during long training sessions or endurance events. When included in sports drinks, Palatinose™ can help improve endurance and reduce fatigue by providing a steady supply of glucose to the muscles. It can also help to spare glycogen stores in the muscles, allowing athletes to perform at higher intensities for longer periods of time.
Concluding thoughts
When formulating products, I always look for ingredients that have been thoroughly researched and tested for safety and efficacy. Palatinose™ has been extensively studied and has been shown to be safe and well-tolerated by most people. It is also a versatile ingredient that can be easily incorporated into a wide range of products, from sports drinks to meal replacement shakes.
Overall, I believe that Palatinose™ is an excellent ingredient for products that require sustained energy release, such as neurological formulations, meal replacement shakes, weight loss shakes, and intra-exercise sports drinks. Its slow-release properties, positive effects on mental clarity and focus, and weight management benefits make it a valuable addition to any product developer’s toolkit.
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Beneo, the manufacturer of Palatinose™, and I have not received any remuneration for writing this article. The information provided is based on my research and personal experience as a product development scientist, and I am sharing my insights with the intention of providing informative content to readers. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely my own and do not reflect the views or opinions of Beneo or any other organisation.
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