Scientists at Imperial College London and the University of Glasgow have developed an innovative new weight control additive called inulin-propionate ester (IPE). The substance contains a fatty acid called propionate, which stimulates the gut to release appetite-regulating hormones.
The intention behind IPE is to provoke users into producing more propionate than is normal on a regular diet. So far, studies have shown that the substance could be pretty effective.
20 volunteers were given either IPE or a dietary fiber and were then let loose on an all-you-can-eat buffet. The IPE group ate an average of 14% less food than the inulin group and were found to have higher levels of appetite-regulating hormones in their bloodstream.
Imperial Innovations, a company that spun off from the academic reserach project, is now working on bringing IPE to commercial market.
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Appetite-regulating Pills
- The development of inulin-propionate ester (IPE) as a weight control additive that can produce more propionate than is normal on a regular diet presents opportunities for businesses to disrupt the market for appetite suppressants.
- Gut-stimulating Additives
- The creation of stimulants like inulin-propionate ester (IPE) that increase the release of appetite-regulating hormones opens the door to the development of gut-stimulating additives in the food industry.
- All-you-can-eat Buffet Reduction
- The use of inulin-propionate ester (IPE) in reducing the food intake of participants in all-you-can-eat buffets may inspire other disruptive innovation opportunities to address the issue of overeating in public dining venues.
Sectors Adopting This
- Weight Loss Supplements
- The development of inulin-propionate ester (IPE) presents opportunities for businesses in the weight loss supplement industry to create products that utilize gut-stimulating additives.
- Food and Beverage
- The creation of gut-stimulating additives like inulin-propionate ester (IPE) presents opportunities for innovation in food and beverage products that aid in appetite control.
- Health and Wellness
- The development of inulin-propionate ester (IPE) and similar substances may inspire technology and innovation in the health and wellness industry, particularly in the area of gut health.
