Youdaoplaceholder0 1.1 The physical Magic of viscosity gradient: Triple transformation from Stomach to colon ?

The molecular structure of polyglucose is composed of randomly cross-linked glucose residues, and this special conformation endows it with unique rheological properties. In the highly acidic environment of the stomach (pH 1.5-3.5), its molecular chains rapidly form a three-dimensional network structure through hydrogen bonds, and the viscosity instantly increases to 1200 mPa·s (approximately twice that of honey), effectively delaying the gastric emptying rate by up to 40% and prolonging the feeling of fullness. After entering the small intestine, as the pH value rises to 6.0-7.5, some hydrogen bonds break and the viscosity drops to 300-500 mPa·s. It neither overly hinders nutrient absorption nor combines with bile acids to reduce the absorption rate of cholesterol. When reaching the colon, under the action of microbial fermentation, the viscosity further decreases to below 50 mPa·s, releasing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) to provide energy for the probiotics (Figure 1).

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Youdaoplaceholder0 Data support ? :

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Gastric emptying delay rate: 40% (Food Hydrocolloids 2022, n=30)

Cholesterol absorption inhibition rate: 22% (GRAS certification data from the US FDA)

Increased SCFAs production: Colonic acetic acid concentration increased 3.8 times (Gut 2023, Animal Model)

Youdaoplaceholder0 1.2 "Precision feeding" strategy for the microbiome ?

The viscosity regulation of polydextrose not only affects the physical digestive process, but also forms a dynamic interaction with the intestinal flora. The high viscosity state forms a physical barrier in the proximal colon, reducing the contact between pathogenic bacteria and intestinal mucosa. As the viscosity decreases, it gradually transforms into a fermentable substrate, preferentially stimulating the proliferation of Bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria. A team from the University of Cambridge discovered through metagenomic sequencing that continuous intake of 12g/ day of polydextrose for 8 weeks could optimize the F/B ratio of the Thick-miliae/Bacteroidetes to 1.3 (with a healthy baseline of 1.5-2.0), and increase the abundance of butyric acid bacteria (such as Faecalibacterium) by 58%. This dual-stage effect of "defense first, then nourishment" perfectly meets the ecological needs of different sections of the intestinal tract.

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Youdaoplaceholder0 Chapter 2 Application Scenario Revolution: Cross-border Penetration from Sugar-Controlled Foods to ICU Nutrition ?

Youdaoplaceholder0 2.1 Food Industry: The "invisible skeleton" of Low GI products ?

In the field of baking, the high water-holding capacity (> 8g water /g) and thermal stability (tolerance to 200℃) of polyglucose make it an ideal substitute for sucrose. The "Zero Sugar Cookies" launched by the Meiji Group of Japan use polyglucose as the core fiber, achieving only 1.2g of net carbohydrates per cookie, and the texture and crispness are no different from those of sugar-containing products. More importantly, its viscosity regulation in the small intestine can delay glucose absorption and reduce the postprandial blood glucose peak by 34% (Clinical data from Diabetes Care 2021).

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Youdaoplaceholder0 Innovative case ? :

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Youdaoplaceholder0 Nestle ? : The "Smart slow-release energy bar" developed by blending polydextrose with resistant dextrin features a viscosity gradient design that extends carbohydrate absorption to 6 hours, meeting the continuous energy supply needs of marathon runners.

Youdaoplaceholder0 Nongfu Spring ? : Launched "Intestinal Vitality Sparkling Water" with added polyglucose, which uses its low-viscosity fermentation property to produce a mild gas in the colon to stimulate intestinal peristalsis. It sold over 100 million bottles in three months.

Youdaoplaceholder0 2.2 Medical nutrition: The "intestinal barrier Guard" for ICU patients ?

Intestinal mucosal barrier failure in critically ill patients often leads to systemic infections. A randomized controlled trial (n=158) conducted by the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University demonstrated that ICU patients who were supplemented with 15g of polyglucose daily had a 42% decrease in the incidence of endotoxemia and a 29% reduction in the intestinal permeability index (plasma ligonin). The mechanism lies in that the high-viscosity state forms a protective film in the stomach, reducing the risk of stress-induced ulcers. The butyric acid released by the colonic segment directly promotes the thickening of the mucus layer (increasing the number of goblet cells by 37%), achieving the reinforcement of the physical and chemical dual barrier.

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Youdaoplaceholder0 Chapter 3 Technological Breakthrough: The Upgrade from 'Empirical Formulas' to' Computational Nutrition '?

Youdaoplaceholder0 3.1 Precise regulation of molecular modification ?

The viscosity response range of traditional polydextrose is limited, making it difficult to precisely match individualized demands. In June 2023, DSM of the Netherlands announced its patented technology "PolySmart?", which developed three viscosity curve variants by controlling the degree of polymerization (DP value) of glucose and sorbitol:

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Youdaoplaceholder0 G type ? (stomach enhancement) : Viscosity up to 1500 mPa·s at pH < 3, designed specifically for patients with gastroesophageal reflux;

Youdaoplaceholder0 C type ? (colon-targeted) : Viscosity drops sharply to 30 mPa·s at pH > 6.5, preferred for people with constipation;

Youdaoplaceholder0 Type B ? (balanced mode) : Smooth transition of total intestinal viscosity, suitable for blood glucose management in diabetic patients.

Youdaoplaceholder0 3.2 AI-Assisted Formulation design ?

The "FiberEngine" platform developed by the Israeli company NutriAI integrates 2 million gut microbiota data and fluid dynamics models, which can predict the optimal addition amount of polydextrose under different ages and disease conditions. For instance, for patients with IBS (Irritable Bowel syndrome), the system recommends a daily combination of 8-10g of polyglucose and 2g of fructooligosaccharides, which reduces the incidence of abdominal distension by 65% (2023 user tracking data).

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Youdaoplaceholder0 Chapter 4 Industry Turmoil: The "Fiber Blue Ocean" that Giants are vying for ?

Youdaoplaceholder0 4.1 Capacity race heats up ?

The global polydextrose market size is expected to grow from 870 million US dollars in 2023 to 2.1 billion US dollars in 2030 (CAGR 12.3%). China has become the main battlefield.

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Youdaoplaceholder0 Baolingbao Bio ? : Invest 500 million yuan to expand 30,000 tons per year production line, using enzymatic synthesis process to achieve 99.5% purity;

Youdaoplaceholder0 Rogate ? : Probiotic-polyglucose microcapsules developed in collaboration with CHR. Hansen increased acid-resistant survival rate to 90%;

Youdaoplaceholder0 Matsuya Chemie, Japan ? : Introduced "nano-fibrotic polyglucose," which has three times the viscosity regulation sensitivity and has been granted orphan drug designation by the FDA for short bowel syndrome.

Youdaoplaceholder0 4.2 Dual challenges of regulation and cognition ?

Although polydextrose has been approved as dietary fiber by the European Union, China and other countries, consumers still have misunderstandings. A survey by FMCG in the United States shows that only 28% of consumers can correctly distinguish the functional differences between polydextrose and resistant starch. More seriously, excessive intake (> 50g/ day) may cause abdominal distension or interfere with mineral absorption. The industry urgently needs to establish standardized dosage guidelines.

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Youdaoplaceholder0 Chapter 5 Looking ahead: The "fiber Network" from GUT to Body Health ?

Youdaoplaceholder0 5.1 New evidence for regulation of the brain-gut axis ?

In early 2024, the California Institute of Technology discovered in mouse experiments that butyric acid produced by the fermentation of polydextrose could stimulate hypothalamic neurons through the vagus nerve, reducing anxiety-like behaviors by 43%. This provides a molecular-level explanation for the claim that "a high-fiber diet improves mental health".

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Youdaoplaceholder0 5.2 Disruptive Innovations in Synthetic biology ?

The US startup Zymergen has used CRISPR technology to modify Trichia pastoris, enabling it to directly secrete "gene-edited polyglucose" with a customized viscosity curve. This product demonstrated an 80% improvement in pH response accuracy in simulated digestion experiments and is expected to enter the clinical trial stage in 2025.

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Youdaoplaceholder0 Conclusion: Redefining the "intelligent boundaries" of Fibre ?

The viscosity gradient effect of polydextrose marks a new era for dietary fiber, moving from "passive supplementation" to "active regulation". When a fiber component can independently regulate its function in response to the digestive tract environment, we may be witnessing a paradigm shift in nutritional science - future health interventions will no longer be the solitary efforts of a single molecule, but rather a collaborative dance of smart materials, the microbiome, and artificial intelligence. As the Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry, Frances Arnold, once said, "The molecules in nature already hold infinite possibilities. What we need to do is learn to listen to their 'language of time and space'."