Reducer of blood glucose level increase reducer of body fat accumulation and food material

Abstract

A reducer of blood glucose level increase comprising palatinose as an active ingredient, wherein the reducer is ingested before or after or simultaneously with consuming a carbohydrate having an &agr;-1, 6-glucosyl bond ratio of from 0% to less than 50% relative to the total bonds among constituent saccharides to reduce an increase in blood glucose level caused by ingesting the carbohydrate.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a reducer of blood glucose level increase, a reducer of body fat accumulation, a food material, a method for reducing blood glucose level and a method for reducing body fat accumulation.

[0003] 2. Related Background of the Invention

[0004] As a constituent for reducing blood glucose level increase, there have been known an extract from Gymnema Sylvestre leaves (JP Tokkai S64-85058, JP Tokkai H2-79955), an extract from Gymnema Inodrum (JP Tokkai H5-252897), and an extract from Gymnema Chingen (JP Tokkai H6-245735). They are considered to reduce blood glucose level increase because of an effect of reducing glucose absorption. Triterpene glycoside (JP Tokkai H6-128161) contained in Gymnema Inodrum is also reported to have the effect of reducing glucose absorption.

[0005] Monoterpene glycoside is known to have an effect of reducing blood glucose level increase through a sucrase inhibition effect (JP Tokkai H6-100453). Examples of such monoterpene glycoside include a betaine from a sugar beet (JP Tokkai H8-133970), a saponin mixture from Alaria elata (JP Tokkai H8-283169), and an &agr;-glucosidase inhibitor (JP Tokkai H8-289783).

[0006] Additionally, there has been recently reported carbohydrate having an effect of reducing blood glucose level increase. Indigestible dextrin is known to show an effect of reducing blood glucose level increase after food intake for a person with easily rising blood glucose level (Kenko/Eiyosyokuhin Kenkyu, Vol.2, No.1, 52-56 (1999)), and to have an influence on fat metabolism (Kenko/Eiyosyokuhin Kenkyu, Vol.3, No.3, 47-58 (2000)). L-arabinose is also demonstrated to inhibit specifically the activity of small intestine sucrase which decomposes sucrose (Nihon Eiyo/Syokuryo Gakkai Shi (The Journal of JSNFS), Vol.50, No.2, 133-137 (1997)).

[0007] Although not carbohydrate, a hot water extract from Guava leaves, a plant extract, is known to inhibit the activities of carbohydrate degrading enzymes, such as maltase, sucrase and &agr;-amylase. It is also known that its inhibition effect is particularly stronger for &agr;-amylase than for the other two enzymes. Hence, it is demonstrated to reduce blood glucose level increase after food intake (Nippon NogeiKagaku Kaishi, Vol.72, No.8, 923-931 (1998)).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] However, the Gymnema extract etc. taste so bitter as to block sweet taste, and hence can not be used without a particular treatment. The indigestible dextrin and L-arabinose, though carbohydrate, are difficult to be digestibly absorbed, and sometimes cause diarrhea when they are ingested in a large amount. A substance having an effect of inhibiting sucrase activity is pointed out that, when ingested together with sucrose, it allows the sucrose to reach a large intestine without decomposition. In other words, all the above substances demonstrating the effect of reducing blood glucose level increase have various problems such as inconvenience at use and limited application.

[0009] Therefore, a reducer of blood glucose level increase which is free from unpleasant taste such as bitter taste and which can be ingested as a safe food has been desired. Further, a plant extract is not usually ingested as food, and L-arabinose is a food additive. Therefore, a method for reducing blood glucose level increase employing a safe food material usually ingestible as food has been desired.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a reducer of blood glucose level increase which can solve the above problems in the prior art.

[0011] The present inventors have made a diligent study and found out that a combination of certain substance causing the blood glucose level increase and palatinose can be ingested, while solving the problems, to reduce blood glucose level increase caused by the substance, and have completed the invention.

[0012] Namely, the invention provides a reducer of blood glucose level increase comprising palatinose as an active ingredient, wherein the reducer is ingested before or after or simultaneously with consuming a carbohydrate having an &agr;-1,6-glucosyl bond ratio of from 0% to less than 50% relative to the total bonds among constituent saccharides, and wherein the reducer reduces an increase in blood glucose level caused by consuming said carbohydrate(or a reducer of blood glucose level increase for reducing a blood glucose level increase caused by consuming a carbohydrate having an &agr;-1,6-glucosyl bond ratio of from 0% to less than 50% relative to the total bonds among constituent saccharides characterized by comprising palatinose as an active ingredient and being ingested before or after or simultaneously with consuming the carbohydrate).

[0013] As is reported in Hormone and Metabolic Research, 21, 338-340 (1989) etc., palatinose is a foodstuff having a low Glycemic Index and causes no sudden increase or decrease in blood glucose level after ingestion [Glycemic Index (GI) is an index which indicates relationship between food and blood glucose level, which is in the news recently, and uses white bread or glucose as a standard food (The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 43 (January), 167-172 (1986))]. It has been considered that palatinose is ingested simultaneously with another carbohydrate to express a change in blood glucose level which is a sum of the change caused by the palatinose and the carbohydrate. Therefore, palatinose has been only intended to be used alone as a carbohydrate in a food for reducing blood glucose level increase.

[0014] With respect to the coexistence effect of palatinose and another carbohydrate, there is a report on the relation between palatinose and sucrose (Nihon Eiyo/Syokuryo Gakkai Shi(Journal of Japanese Society of Nutrition and Food Science), Vol.36, No.3, 169-173 (1983)). According to the report, since sucrase (sucrose &agr;-D-glucohydrolase) catalyzes to decompose sucrose into glucose and fructose and is specific for sucrose or maltose as the substrate, it does not catalyze to decompose palatinose or isomaltose having different bond of the same combinations of the constituent sugars to sucrose or maltose, respectively. Therefore, it is reported that, when sucrose and palatinose coexist, they are catalyzed independently to decompose without mutual influence.

[0015] On the contrary, isomaltase (oligo-1,6-glucosidase), which is an enzyme catalyzing decomposition of palatinose inside a digestive tract, catalyzes to decompose a carbohydrate having an &agr;-1,6-glucosyl bond such as isomaltose, panose and isomaltotriose. Hence, it is reported that, when palatinose and these carbohydrates coexist, they competitively inhibit decomposition reaction catalyzed by the enzyme one another, resulting in their respective slow decomposition rates (Nihon Eiyo/Syokuryo Gakkai Shi(Journal of Japanese Society of Nutrition and Food Science), Vol.36, No.3, 169-173 (1983)). It has been concluded from the report that, through competitive inhibition by isomaltase, palatinose can reduce the blood glucose level increase caused by consuming a carbohydrate having an &agr;-1,6-glucosyl bond ratio of 50% or more relative to the total bonds among constituent saccharides. However, palatinose is not supposed to be able to reduce the blood glucose level increase caused by consuming a carbohydrate having no &agr;-1,6-glucosyl bond including monosaccharide or a carbohydrate having an &agr;-1,6-glucosyl bond ratio of less than 50% relative to the total bonds among constituent saccharides.

[0016] Contrary to the recognition, however, the inventors have found out a novel phenomenon that, when palatisose is ingested before or after or simultaneously with consuming a carbohydrate having an &agr;-1,6-glucosyl bond ratio of from 0% to less than 50% relative to the total bonds among constituent saccharides, it can reduce the blood glucose level increase caused by ingesting the carbohydrate.

[0017] The present invention provides a reducer of blood glucose level increase comprising palatinose as an active ingredient, wherein the reducer is ingested before or after or simultaneously with consuming at least one foodstuff being selected from the group consisting of sucrose, wheat flour, starch, dextrin and high fructose corn syrup, and wherein the reducer reduces an increase in blood glucose level caused by consuming the foodstuff (or a reducer of blood glucose level increase for reducing a blood glucose level increase caused by consuming at least one foodstuff selected from the group consisting of sucrose, wheat flour, starch, dextrin and high fructose corn syrup, characterized by comprising palatinose as the active ingredient and being ingested before or after or simultaneously with consuming the foodstuff).

[0018] Starch and dextrin are catalyzed by &agr;-amylase, &bgr;-amylase and &agr;-glucosidase (maltase) to decompose to glucose, which is absorbed at small intestine. Palatinose, though having a glucosyl group, is demonstrated to be hardly catalyzed by &agr;-glucosidase.

[0019] High fructose corn syrup composed of glucose and fructose, a commercial product of saccharide (carbohydrate) composed of monosaccharides, is ingested to give a sudden increase and decrease curve in blood glucose level as is seen in sucrose. It has been considered that high fructose corn syrup, which is composed of the monosaccharides, is not competitive as to catalysis by the decomposition enzyme for palatinose and is easily absorbed.

[0020] It has been generally known that glucose and sucrose cause a sudden increase/decrease curve in blood glucose level. White bread, as well as glucose, is used as a standard to measure a Glycemic Index because starch in the food is digested at a considerably large rate to show a sudden increase/decrease curve in blood glucose level close to that of sucrose or glucose (ILSI Europe Concise Monograph Series, [Nutrition and Health Aspects of Sugars, Evaluation of new findings], pp8-12 (1998)). Dextrin, a partial decomposition product of starch, is easily supposed to draw a blood glucose level curve similar to that of starch. Therefore, sucrose, glucose, starch and dextrin are representative of carbohydrates which are apt to raise suddenly blood glucose level after ingestion and are used in a wide range of processed foods. High fructose corn syrup, a liquid sugar composed of glucose and fructose which are the constituent saccharides of sucrose, is ingested to show a blood glucose level increase curve similar to that of sucrose.

[0021] It has been generally considered that, when palatinose giving a mild increase/decrease in blood glucose level and a carbohydrate (saccharide) giving a sudden increase/decrease in blood glucose level such as sucrose, glucose, dextrin or starch are simultaneously ingested, sucrose, glucose, dextrin or starch, which is an easily digested carbohydrate, causes sudden increase in glucose level as is the case where it is ingested alone, and that slow changes of glucose level caused by palatinose simultaneously ingested is not reflected. The consideration is based on the understanding that palatinose don't cause competitive inhibition because the decomposing enzymes for the above described carbohydrates, which are easily digestible, are significantly different from palatinose decomposing enzyme (palatinose is catalyzed to decompose at a rate about one fifth of that of sucrose), and that palatinose has no influence on the absorption of a monosaccharide such as glucose.

[0022] Thus, the invention, that palatinose is ingested before or after or simultaneously with consuming at least one foodstuff being selected from the group consisting of sucrose, wheat flour, starch, dextrin and high fructose corn syrup to reduce an increase in blood glucose level caused by consuming the foodstuff, provides a completely novel knowledge.

[0023] The invention also provides a reducer of blood glucose level increase comprising palatinose as an active ingredient, wherein the reducer is ingested before or after or simultaneously with consuming food, and wherein the reducer reduces an increase in blood glucose level caused by consuming the food (or a reducer of blood glucose level increase for reducing an increase in blood glucose level caused by consuming food characterized by comprising palatinose as the active ingredient and being ingested before or after or simultaneously with consuming the food).

[0024] The amount of carbohydrate upon ingesting an ordinary food is considered to be 50-150 g per food. And the carbohydrate contained in one feed causes mainly blood glucose level increase after eating. An ordinary food uses food material which contain a lot of carbohydrate such as potatoes, rice products (rice diet, noodles such as Vietnamese pho noodle or rice vermicelli, and rice cake) and wheat products (wheat flour, wheat noodle, bread, baked cake, pizza crust and Japanese pancake). The carbohydrate contained in them is mainly starch. It has been considered that, for ingested palatinose, it is more difficult to reduce an increase in blood glucose level through consuming a carbohydrate in food, which exists with other ingredients in being kneaded with or surrounded by the other ingredients, than to reduce an increase in blood glucose level through consuming a carbohydrate such as monosaccharide and disaccharide, which are consumed as an aqueous solution. Therefore, the fact that palatinose is ingested to reduce blood glucose level increase after eating provides a completely novel knowledge.

[0025] Further, the invention provides a reducer of body fat accumulation comprising palatinose as an active ingredient, wherein the reducer is ingested before or after or simultaneously with consuming a carbohydrate having an &agr;-1,6-glucosyl bond ratio of from 0% to less than 50% relative to the total bonds among constituent saccharides, and wherein the reducer reduces body fat accumulation resulted from the increase in blood glucose level and insulin secretion caused by ingesting the carbohydrate (or a reducer of body fat accumulation for reducing body fat accumulation resulted from the increase in blood glucose level and insulin secretion amount caused by ingesting a carbohydrate having an &agr;-1,6-glucosyl bond ratio of from 0% to less than 50% relative to the total bonds among constituent saccharides, characterized by comprising palatinose as the active ingredient and being ingested before or after or simultaneously with consuming the carbohydrate).

[0026] Furthermore, the invention provides a reducer of body fat accumulation comprising palatinose as an active ingredient, wherein the reducer is ingested before or after or simultaneously with consuming at least one foodstuff being selected from the group consisting of sucrose, wheat flour, starch, dextrin and high fructose corn syrup, and wherein the reducer reduces body fat accumulation resulted from the increase in blood glucose level and insulin secretion caused by consuming the foodstuff (or a reducer of body fat accumulation for reducing body fat accumulation resulted from the increase in blood glucose level and insulin secretion amount caused by ingesting at least one foodstuff being selected from the group consisting of sucrose, wheat flour, starch, dextrin and high fructose corn syrup, characterized by comprising palatinose as the active ingredient and being ingested before or after or simultaneously with consuming the foodstuff).

[0027] In addition, the invention provides a reducer of body fat accumulation comprising palatinose as an active ingredient, wherein said reducer is ingested before or after or simultaneously with consuming food, and wherein the reducer reduces body fat accumulation resulted from the increase in blood glucose level and insulin secretion caused by consuming the food (or a reducer of body fat accumulation for reducing body fat accumulation resulted from the increase in blood glucose level and insulin secretion amount caused by consuming food, characterized by comprising palatinose as the active ingredient and being ingested before or after or simultaneously with consuming the food).

[0028] It is reported that, comparing a case where a combination of a high fat diet with sugar and only a basic diet are alternately ingested with another case where only a high fat diet and a combination of a basic diet with sugar are alternately ingested under the condition of the same nutrition intake in 2 meals per day, body fat amount significantly increases when a high fat diet and sugar are ingested simultaneously (Kagaku to Kogyo, Vol.61, No.1, 17-24 (1987)). This is resulted from consequent reactions that the ingested sugar causes blood glucose level increase, secretion of insulin is induced, the insulin activates lipoprotein lipase (LPL) in a fat tissue to allow a neutral fat in blood from the diet to be taken rapidly into a fat cell, which is accumulated as body fat (New Food Industry, Vol.31, No.10, 9-15 (1989)). Accordingly, in reverse, inhition of blood glucose level increase to reduce inducing secretion of insulin can inhibit activation of LPL, resulting in reducing body fat accumulation.

[0029] Hence, palatinose is ingested before or after or simultaneously with consuming carbohydrate to result in a mild increase/decrease curve of blood glucose level, to inhibit activation of LPL and to make accumulating body fat difficult.

[0030] Further, the invention provides a method for reducing blood glucose level increase by allowing an individual to ingest the above reducer of blood glucose level increase, and a method for reducing body fat accumulation by allowing an individual to ingest the above reducer of body fat accumulation.

[0031] Furthermore, the invention provides food materials as shown in following (1)-(6).

[0032] (1) A food material comprising palatinose and a foodstuff composed of a carbohydrate having an &agr;-1,6-glucosyl bond ratio of from 0% to less than 50% relative to the total bonds among constituent saccharides, wherein the food material reduces blood glucose level increase caused by consuming the foodstuff (or a food material comprising palatinose and a foodstuff composed of a carbohydrate having an &agr;-1,6-glucosyl bond ratio of from 0% to less than 50% relative to the total bonds among constituent saccharides, characterized in that the food material comprises the palatinose in an amount necessary to reduce an increase in blood glucose level caused by consuming the foodstuff).

[0033] (2) A food material comprising palatinose and at least one foodstuff being selected from the group consisting of sucrose, wheat flour, starch, dextrin and high fructose corn syrup, wherein the food material reduces blood glucose level increase caused by consuming said foodstuff (or a food material comprising palatinose and at least one foodstuff being selected from the group consisting of sucrose, wheat flour, starch, dextrin and high fructose corn syrup, characterized in that the food material comprises the palatinose in an amount necessary to reduce an increase in blood glucose level caused by ingesting the foodstuff).

[0034] (3) The food material according to the above (2), wherein the food material is used as a sweetener and the foodstuff is at least one foodstuff being selected from the group consisting of sucrose and high fructose corn syrup.

[0035] (4) The food material according to the above (2), wherein the food material is used as a premix material and the foodstuff is at least one foodstuff being selected from the group consisting of sucrose, wheat flour, starch and dextrin.

[0036] (5) The food material according to the above (2), wherein the food material is used as a powdery drink and the foodstuff is sucrose.

[0037] (6) The food material according to the above (2), wherein the weight (A) of the palatinose has a ratio of 10% or more relative to the total weight (B) of carbohydrate contained in the food material, and the palatinose is combined so that the palatinose is ingested by 5 g or more per 60 kg of body weight of an individual.

[0038] Each of the above food material (1)-(6) or a food processed from the food material can be ingested to reduce an increase in blood glucose level caused by consuming the above foodstuff.

[0039] Furthermore, the invention provides food material as shown in following (7)-(12).

[0040] (7) A food material comprising palatinose and a foodstuff composed of a carbohydrate having an &agr;-1,6-glucosyl bond ratio of from 0% to less than 50% relative to the total bonds among constituent saccharides, wherein the food material reduces body fat accumulation resulted from the increase in blood glucose level and insulin secretion caused by ingesting the foodstuff.

[0041] (8) A food material comprising palatinose and at least one foodstuff being selected from the group consisting of sucrose, wheat flour, starch, dextrin and high fructose corn syrup, wherein the food material reduces body fat accumulation resulted from the increase in blood glucose level and insulin secretion caused by ingesting the foodstuff.

[0042] (9) The food material according to the above (8), wherein the food material is used as a sweetener and the foodstuff is at least one foodstuff being selected from the group consisting of sucrose and high fructose corn syrup.

[0043] (10) The food material according to the above (8), wherein the food material is used as a premix material and the foodstuff is at least one foodstuff being selected from the group consisting of sucrose, wheat flour, starch and dextrin.

[0044] (11) The food material according to the above (8), wherein the food material is used as a powdery drink and the foodstuff is sucrose.

[0045] (12) The food material according to the above (8), wherein the weight (A) of the palatinose has a ratio of 20% or more relative to the total weight (B) of carbohydrate contained in the food material, and the palatinose is combined so that the palatinose is ingested by 10 g or more per 60 kg of body weight of an individual.

[0046] Each of the above food material (7)-(12) or food processed from the food material can be ingested to reduce body fat accumulation resulted from the increase in blood glucose level and insulin secretion caused by ingesting the above foodstuff.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the changes in blood glucose level after ingesting drinks in Example 1.

[0048] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the areas under blood glucose level increase curve after ingesting sucrose-containing drinks in Example 1.

[0049] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the areas under blood glucose level increase curve after ingesting glucose-containing drinks in Example 1.

[0050] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relation between palatinose percent in carbohydrate and GI value, wherein the carbohydrate is consumed by a weight of 50 g.

[0051] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the changes in blood glucose level after ingesting drinks in Example 2.

[0052] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the areas under blood glucose level increase curve after ingesting drinks in Example 2.

[0053] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the transition in body weight after ingesting feeds in Example 3.

[0054] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the wet weights of different fat tissues after ingesting feeds in Example 3.

[0055] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the sum of the wet weights of different fat tissues in FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0056] The invention will be described below in details with respect to preferred embodiments.

[0057] Palatinose in the invention, which is also called as isomaltulose, is a disaccharide composed by allowing glucose to make an &agr;-1,6-glucosyl bond to fructose.

[0058] Palatinose may be a hydrate. Monohydrate thereof has a melting point of 123-124° C., a specific rotation [&agr;]20D of +97.2, a Fehling solution reduction of 52% relative to glucose, and a solubility of 38.4 g in 100 g water at 20° C. The aqueous solution tastes fine sweet and has about 40% in sweetness relative to sucrose.

[0059] Palatinose is naturally found in honey or sugarcane juice. It is also found in a product transferred from sucrose by the action of an &agr;-glucosyltransferase (isomaltulose synthase) from bacteria or yeasts.

[0060] Palatinose is industrially manufactured by treating sucrose with an &agr;-glucosyltransferase produced by a bacteria such as Protaminobacter rubrum and Serratia plymuthica.

[0061] In the invention, “a carbohydrate having an &agr;-1,6-glucosyl bond ratio of from 0% to less than 50% relative to the total bonds among constituent saccharides” is classified into “a carbohydrate having no &agr;-1,6-glucosyl bond” and “a carbohydrate having an &agr;-1,6-glucosyl bond ratio of from above 0% to less than 50% relative to the total bonds among constituent saccharides.”

[0062] Examples of “a carbohydrate having no &agr;-1,6-glucosyl bond” include carbohydrates such as maltose, sucrose, high fructose corn syrup and glucose. Examples of “a carbohydrate having an &agr;-1,6-glucosyl bond ratio of from above 0% to less than 50% relative to the total bonds among constituent saccharides” include starch, dextrin and branched dextrin. Isomaltose, panose, isopanose and isomaltotriose do not correspond to the carbohydrate causing the increase in blood glucose level in the invention, because they have an &agr;-1,6-glucosyl bond ratio of 50% or more relative to the total bonds among constituent saccharides.

[0063] “A carbohydrate having an &agr;-1,6-glucosyl bond ratio of from 0% to less than 50% relative to the total bonds among constituent saccharides” may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The carbohydrate includes not only a carbohydrate commercially available as a purified high-grade single component, but also a carbohydrate in a state contained in cereals such as wheat flour and potatoes. Wheat flour contains carbohydrate in a content of about 75%. About 98% of the carbohydrate is starch.

[0064] In the invention, “palatinose is ingested before or after or simultaneously with” means that palatinose and one or more other carbohydrates are ingested during a meal or a between-meal snack. It does not always limitedly mean that they are mixed and ingested. Therefore, it includes ingesting a food or drink containing palatinose and one or more other carbohydrates which easily causes a blood glucose level increase. For example, a case where a drink containing palatinose is ingested before or after or simultaneously with consuming a cake or a cookie containing sucrose and starch corresponds to the condition: “palatinose is ingested before or after or simultaneously with” of the invention. More particularly, “palatinose is ingested before or after or simultaneously with” means a time range within which palatinose and one or more other carbohydrates can be mixed in stomach by consuming food at meal or between-meals when the palatinose stays in the stomach, or by ingesting palatinose when food at meal or between-meals stays in the stomach. The time range is generally from 30 minutes before consuming food to 2 hours after consuming the food, but varies depending on an individual, body condition or ingestion timing.

[0065] “Palatinose is ingested” includes ingesting palatinose alone and ingesting a food material containing palatinose , for example, a drink such as a refreshing drink, coffee and black tea, household dishes such as omelet and cooked dish, confectionery such as baked goods, pudding and bun with bean-jam filling, and breads including a sweet bun.

[0066] In the invention, “sweetener” is a substance to make food and drink sweet. It means a sweetener prepared for the purpose of coffee or black tea, or means a sweetener for use in household or business. The sweetener may be formed in powder, granule, a cube or liquid. It can be packaged in a stick, a small bag, a box or a portion.

[0067] “Premix material” means a foodstuff which is sold by previously mixing several materials containing palatinose and one or more other materials including a hot cake mix, a pound cake mix, a bread mix, a pancake mix, a steamed bread mix, a crepe mix, a cookie mix, a doughnut mix, a sponge cake mix, a jelly mix, a pudding mix, bean-jam with sugar and a dumpling powder.

[0068] “Powder drink” means a cocoa mix, coffee, a powdery juice, a powdered black tea, a powdered lemonade and an instant soup mix. It means a drink product which can be dissolved in a liquid such as hot water, water and milk to serve as a drink.

[0069] Among carbohydrates consumed before or after or simultaneous with palatinose, sucrose and high fructose corn syrup are sweetener. Therefore, the sweetness can be reduced by substituting a part of the sweetener with palatinose. Since consumers recently tend to like low sweet confectioneries and drinks, these products can be used as foods for such consumers. Alternatively, a highly sweet material such as high fructose corn syrup, fructose, aspartame, stevia sweetener or acesulfam K can be used together to adjust the product to a favorite sweetness. From the viewpoint of processing characteristics, palatinose in combination with sucrose prevent the food from coloring and prevent low soluble palatinose from crystallization, comparing with the case where palatinose is used alone.

[0070] It has been proved by the Examples as described below that palatinose, when ingested before or after or simultaneously with consuming a carbohydrate having an &agr;-1,6-glucosyl bond ratio of from 0% to less than 50% relative to the total bonds among constituent saccharides such as sucrose, dextrin, starch and high fructose corn syrup, reduces an increase in blood glucose level caused by consuming the carbohydrate.

[0071] A group of ingesting 50 g of sucrose, a group of ingesting 25 g of sucrose and a group of ingesting 25 g of glucose, which were used as Comparative examples, showed a sudden increase in blood glucose level 30 minutes after the ingesting. As for cases where 50 g of sucrose and 25 g of glucose were ingested, respectively, the areas of a region surrounded by the blood glucose level increase curve and the baseline (area under blood glucose level increase curve) were nearly identical and high values. And as for the case where 25 g of sucrose was ingested, the values were slightly lower. Groups of ingesting 25 g of sucrose or 25 g of glucose in combination with 25 g of palatinose, which were measured as Examples, gave no sudden increases in blood glucose level after consuming these carbohydrates and gave significantly lower values in area under their blood glucose level increase curves comparing with the Comparative groups.

[0072] The area under blood glucose level increase curve after consuming 50 g of carbohydrate, which is a reference of Glycemic Index measurement, was measured for glucose and palatinose in combination of various ratios to obtain GI value thereof, which is expressed by a relative value taking the value measured after 50 g of glucose is ingested as 100%. As a result, a curve showing decrease in the GI value according to increase in ratio of palatinose was obtained.

[0073] The result has revealed that palatinose, when ingested before or after or simultaneously with consuming glucose or sucrose, does not work additively in blood glucose level caused by the consumed glucose or sucrose, but reduces reversely the increase in blood glucose level caused by glucose and sucrose.

[0074] It has been also demonstrated that, since palatinose reduces the increase in blood glucose level caused by glucose and sucrose, the result is similarly true when high fructose corn syrup being nearly a sucrose decomposition product, and starch or dextrin being decomposed to form glucose, are replaced with sucrose or glucose.

[0075] As for a effect of reducing body fat accumulation, the previous report (New Food Industry, Vol.31, No.10, 9-15, (1989)) confirms that, when comparing a body fat accumulation amount between one rat group of providing a sucrose-containing feed as a high fat diet and another rat group of providing another feed in which all the sucrose was replaced by palatinose, the rat group provided with the feed containing palatinose showed a lower body fat accumulation amount. However, it was concluded that, comparing with values in body fat accumulation amount obtained by the sucrose-containing feed and the palatinose-containing feed, the value obtained by a feed in which a part of the sucrose was replaced by palatinose would be a value between above values depending on the ratio of added palatinose.

[0076] In the Example described later, three kinds of feeds were prepared, that is, a feed containing sucrose by 40% as a Comparative example, a palatinose feed in which all the sucrose was replaced with palatinose and a feed in which a part of the sucrose was replaced with palatinose. Each of these feeds was ingested by rats for a long period of time to compare degree of body fat accumulation. As a result, a group ingesting the palatinose feed showed a significantly lower value in fat tissue weight than a group ingesting the Comparative feed, as the conventional report on rat. But a group ingesting the feed in which a part of the sucrose was replaced with palatinose showed a significantly lower value in body fat accumulation amount than the group ingesting the feed as the Comparative example. Furthermore, The group showed a slightly lower value in fat tissue weight than the group ingesting the palatinose feed with a high effect to reduce body fat accumulation. Hence it has been demonstrated that the feed in which a part of sucrose is replaced with palatinose gives the same level of effect to reduce body fat accumulation as the feed in which all the sucrose is replaced with palatinose.

[0077] A reducer of blood glucose level increase or of body fat accumulation of the invention may contain palatinose as an active ingredient. It may contain palatinose alone or a mixture of palatinose with one or more other constituent components. Other constituent components include a pharmaceutically acceptable and publicly known ingredient or a carrier. In addition, It may include sucrose, wheat flour, starch, dextrin, and high fructose corn syrup as described above.

[0078] When the reducer of blood glucose level increase or of the body fat accumulation contains one or more other constituent components, they can have an optionally determined ratio between the reducer of blood glucose level or the reducer of body fat accumulation and one or more other constituent components depending on an ingestion amount and timing. The typical ratio of the reducer of blood glucose level increase : one or more other constituent components is 99.99:0.01-10.00:90.00, preferably 99.99:0.01-20.00:80.00, and more preferably 99.99:0.01-30.00:70.00. The ratio of reducer of the body fat accumulation : the other constituent component is 99.99:0.01-20.00:80.00, preferably 99.99:0.01-30.00:70.00, and more preferably 99.99:0.01-40.00:60.00.

[0079] When the weight of palatinose and the total weight of carbohydrate in a food material are designated by A and B respectively, the food material of the invention for reducing blood glucose level increase has an A/B ratio of 10% or more, and is preferably combined with palatinose to give an intake of 5 g or more per 60 kg of body weight of an individual. The A/B ratio of 20% or more is preferable, and 30% or more is more preferable. The palatinose is preferably incorporated to give an intake of 10 g or more, more preferably 15 g or more per 60 kg of body weight of an individual.

[0080] When the weight of palatinose and the total weight of carbohydrate in a food material are designated by A and B respectively, the food material of the invention for reducing body fat accumulation has an A/B ratio of 20% or more, and palatinose is preferably combined to give an intake of 10 g or more per 60 kg of body weight of an individual. The A/B ratio of 30% or more is preferable, and 40% or more is more preferable. The palatinose is preferably combined to give an intake of 15 g or more, more preferably 20 g or more per 60 kg of body weight of an individual.

[0081] Palatinose can be obtained by the method as described above. When it is applied to a reducer of blood glucose level increase or a reducer of body fat accumulation with one or more other constituent components, they can be prepared by a publicly known mixing or formulating method. An individual for the reducer of blood glucose level increase, the reducer of body fat accumulation and the food material of the invention may be human and a non-human animal (particularly a mammal). Oral ingestion can be used for an ingesting method.

EXAMPLE

[0082] The invention will be described below in more detail with reference to Examples, but is not limited to them.

Example 1

[0083] 50 g of sucrose, 25 g of sucrose and 25 g of glucose were each dissolved in distilled water to get a total weight of 190 g to prepare the drink (Comparative drink 1, Comparative drink 2 and Comparative drink 3, respectively). Using each of the Comparative drinks as a control sample, a blood glucose level test after ingesting the drink was performed as will be described later. On the other hand, a combination of 25 g of sucrose and 25 g of palatinose, a combination of 42.5 g of glucose and 7.5 g of palatinose, a combination of 35 g of glucose and 15 g of palatinose, a combination of 25 g of glucose and 25 g of palatinose, and a combination of 25 g of glucose and 2.78 g of palatinose were each dissolved in distilled water to get a total weight of 190 g to prepare the drink (Example drink 1, Example drink 2, Example drink 3, Example drink 4 and Example drink 5, respectively). Using each of the Example drinks as a test sample, a blood glucose level test after ingesting the drink was performed.

[0084] The blood glucose level test was as follows. Five healthy volunteers (4 males and 1 female), 31-40 aged, were selected as the test subjects. They took no breakfast on a test day and kept fasting for 12 hrs or more before the start of the test. Their bloods were collected before ingesting a drink (0 min), and 30 min, 60 min, 90 min, and 120 min after ingesting it. As a result their blood glucose levels are determined. One kind of drink was ingested for one test. Another drink was ingested on another day and the test was carried out once a day for total 8 days. The same five test subjects were applied to all the tests for blood glucose levels. In the Example 1, the free style Kissei kit (made by Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., LTD) was used to collect blood samples and test a blood glucose level.

[0085] The blood glucose level increase curves are shown in FIG. 1 to compare the changes in blood glucose level after ingesting each of the drinks. FIG. 1 reveals that a blood glucose level increase is reduced after the simultaneous ingestion of 25 g of palatinose and 25 g of glucose, compared with after the ingestion of 25 g of glucose alone. A blood glucose level increase is reduced after the simultaneous ingestion of 25 g of palatinose and 25 g of sucrose, compared with after the ingestion of 50 g of sucrose alone and 25 g of sucrose alone. Particularly, there is a remarkable difference between the Example drink and the Comparative drink as to a sudden increase in blood glucose level at 30 min after ingesting.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 2, the comparison in averages calculated from the area under blood glucose level increase curves of the each test subject for 120 min after ingestion of sucrose alone or the simultaneous ingestion of sucrose and palatinose is carried out. As a result, it is revealed that the area under blood glucose level increase curve for the simultaneous ingestion of 25 g of sucrose and 25 g of palatinose (Example drink 1) was significantly lower than that for the ingestion of 50 g of sucrose (Comparative drink 1) with a risk rate of less than 5%, though the both drinks had the same level in carbohydrate weight and energy amount. Further, ingestion of 25 g of the sucrose (Comparative drink 2) gave a higher value of area under blood glucose level increase curve than ingestion of Example drink 1, though Comparative drink 2 had a lower level in carbohydrate weight and calorie.

[0087] FIG. 3 shows the effect when glucose and palatinose are ingested together. In the drinks having a constant carbohydrate weight of 50 g (Example drinks 2, 3 and 4), the area under blood glucose level increase curve decreased according to the increase of the ratio of palatinose. Further, in the drinks having a constant glucose weight of 25 g (Comparative drink 3, Example drinks 4 and 5), the area under blood glucose level increase curve decreased according to the increase of palatinose amount ingested simultaneously, though the consumed carbohydrate amount increased.

[0088] FIG. 4 shows a graph for plotting GI values versus palatinose ratio in the consumed carbohydrate (total 50 g) as the horizontal axis using the thus obtained data, the palatinose GI value (palatinose 100%) and the glucose GI value (palatinose 0%). This reveals that the GI value decreased according to the increase of the palatinose ratio though the same carbohydrate amount and energy amount were ingested. Particularly when the palatinose ratio went beyond 50%, the GI value went below 50 and felled to a value nearly equal to the value when 100% of palatinose (50 g) was ingested. Further, FIG. 4 indicates that the GI value surely decreased when a palatinose ratio in a total carbohydrate (the total weight 50 g) was 10% or more.

[0089] However, the GI value after ingesting of Example drink 5 (containing glucose 25 g and palatinose 2.78 g) was insignificantly lower than that of Comparative drink 3 (glucose 25 g), though the Example drink 5 had a palatinose ratio of 10% in the total carbohydrate. This teaches that there exists the minimum intake of palatinose necessary for the palatinose effect in addition to the palatinose ratio in the consumed carbohydrate. The result of the Example indicates that the minimum intake of palatinose necessary to reduce an increase in blood glucose level is 5 g or more.

[0090] The above result reveals that the simultaneous use of sucrose or glucose with palatinose has an effect for reducing an increase in blood glucose level.

Example 2

[0091] 20 g of palatinose was dissolved in distilled water to make a total weight of 190 g to prepare an Example drink. 190 g of distilled water was used as a Control drink. The both drinks were used as the test samples for a blood glucose level test as described below.

[0092] The blood glucose level test was as follows. Seven healthy volunteers (5 males and 2 females), 31-55 aged, were selected as the test subjects. They took breakfast by the time of 4 hours before determining a blood glucose level and the blood glucose level prior to the drink ingestion was measured. The Example drink (190 g) or the Control drink (190 g) was ingested while ingesting a packed lunch (trade name: Nidan Orizume Makunouchi, made by Warabeya Nichiyo KK, energy: 718Kcal, protein: 29.8 g, fat: 20.0 g, carbohydrate: 104.6 g, and sodium: 1.4 g). The test subjects' blood was collected with time 30 min, 60 min, 90 min and 120 min after the meal to measure their blood glucose levels. One kind of drink was ingested for one test. The other drink was ingested on another day and the test was carried out once a day for total 2 days. Accordingly, one test subject was tested twice for blood glucose level, that is, after ingesting the Example drink and after ingesting the Control drink. The free style Kissei kit (made by Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., LTD) was used to collect blood and to measure blood glucose level, as Example 1.

[0093] The blood glucose level increase curves are shown in FIG. 5 to compare the changes in blood glucose level after ingesting the respective drinks. FIG. 5 reveals that the increase in blood glucose level after ingesting the Example drink (palatinose) was slower than that after ingesting the Control drink (distilled water). The areas under blood glucose level curves are shown in FIG. 6. The graph reveals that the value of the area under blood glucose level curve of the case where the Example drink was ingested simultaneously with consuming food was lower compared with that of the case where the Control drink was ingested simultaneously with consuming food.

[0094] The above result reveals that palatinose ingested simultaneously with consuming food can reduce a blood glucose level increase after consuming the food.

Example 3

[0095] Mice were consecutively fed with a feed added with palatinose, a feed added with sucrose and no palatinose, and a feed added with both palatinose and sucrose to compare their body fat accumulation amount.

[0096] C57BL/6CrSlc (SPF) male mice (30 heads) aged 7 weeks were fed with a commercial powder feed (trade name: CRF-1 powder, made by Oriental Yeast Co., LTD) and water ad libitum to prefeed for a week. Then, they were separated into three groups each including 10 heads, that is, a group of feeding with a feed (Comparative feed) containing sucrose by 66.7% in carbohydrate, a group of feeding with a feed (Example feed 1) containing palatinose by 66.7% in carbohydrate, and a group of feeding with a feed (Example feed 2) containing palatinose by 30.0% and sucrose by 36.7% in carbohydrate. The groups were fed with their respective feeds and water ad libitum for 8 weeks. Detailed composition of each feed is shown in Table 1. The feeding condition was as follows: temperature 22±3° C., humidity (relative humidity) 50±20%, ventilation cycles 13-17 times/hr, and lighting time 8:00-20:00 (light 12 hrs, dark 12 hrs). 1 TABLE 1 Comparative feed Example feed 1 Example feed 2 corn starch 14.95 14.95 14.95 sucrose 40.00 0.00 22.00 (granulated sugar) palatinose 0.00 40.00 18.00 cellulose 5.00 5.00 5.00 soybean oil 15.00 15.00 15.00 mineral 3.50 3.50 3.50 (AIN-93mineral mix) vitamin 1.00 1.00 1.00 (ATN-93vitamine mix) L-cystine 0.30 0.30 0.30 choline bitartarate 0.25 0.25 0.25 casein 20.00 20.00 20.00

[0097] After the end of the feeding, the mice were light anesthetized with ether and sectioned abdominally to exsanguinate from postcava to death. For a typical example of every group, digital photographs showing body fat accumulation inside the abdominal cavity were taken. Then, for all the cases, the kidney peripheral fat (including the retroperitoneal fat) and the epididymis peripheral fat were taken out to measure their wet weights separately in left and right. The mesenteric fat also was taken out to measure its wet weight. These three kinds of fat tissues are typical of visceral fat. The data were statistically treated to ascertain the homoscedasticity and further to carry out the t-test, which is of correspondency, in the case of homoscedasticity.

[0098] The changes in body weight of respective groups are shown in FIG. 7. Body weights of the mice fed with the Example feeds were significantly lower than those of the mice fed with the Comparative feed. As shown in FIG. 8, comparing the fat tissue weights measured after feeding, the mice fed with the Example feed showed lower value of kidney peripheral fat and epididymis peripheral fat compared with the mice fed with the Comparative feed. As shown in FIG. 9, comparing the summed values of weight of kidney peripheral fat, epididymis peripheral fat and mesentry fat as the total visceral fat weight, the mice fed with the Example feeds showed a significantly lower value compared with the mice fed with the comparative feed.

[0099] The above results indicate that a feed added with palatinose as carbohydrate can reduce the rise in body weight and the accumulation in body fat compared with a feed added with sucrose as carbohydrate when mice consecutively ingest these feed, respectively.

[0100] Transition in the rise of body weight and state of the body fat accumulation were nearly equal in the case where the Example feed 1 with 40% palatinose was ingested and the case where the Example feed 2 with 22% sucrose and 18% palatinose was ingested, and the case where the Example feed 2 was ingested showed a slightly lower value. Accordingly, it has been revealed that a feed containing both palatinose and sucrose exerts effects of reducing the increase in body weight and the accumulation of body fat as well as a feed containing palatinose alone. Since the additive amount of sucrose was larger than that of palatinose in Example feed 2, the palatinose contained in the feed may exert the effect of reducing the accumulation of body fat caused by ingesting the sucrose.

[0101] The result of this Example demonstrates that palatinose exerts the effect of reducing the accumulation of body fat when it is contained at a ratio of 20% or more in carbohydrate. The minimum intake of palatinose necessary to reduce a body fat accumulation is presumed to be 10 g or more in terms of an intake ingested by a person having a body weight of 60 kg.

Example 4

[0102] [Stick Sugar Containing Palatinose and Sucrose]

[0103] Palatinose and sucrose were mixed at identical weights, and packed in a stick package by 3.5 g respectively per one package. The stick sugar thus obtained is a food material containing palatinose and sucrose for reducing a blood glucose level increase.

Example 5

[0104] [Gum Syrup Containing Palatinose and High Fructose Corn Syrup]

[0105] Gum syrup containing palatinose and high fructose corn syrup with the composition as shown in Table 2 below was prepared. The palatinose and gum arabic were joined and powdery mixed, to which the high fructose corn syrup and water were added, then boiled and mixed. The solution thus obtained was adjusted to 30 using a refractometer/Brix meter. 2 TABLE 2 component g crystalline palatinose 27.0 (Trade name: Crystalline palatinose-IC, made by Shin Mitsui Sugar Co., LTD.) high fructose corn syrup (fructose glucose liquid 48.0 sugar) (Trade name: EP-O, made by San-ei Sucrochemical Co., LTD., 75%) gum arabic 4.0 water 200.0

Example 6

[0106] [Tablet Containing Palatinose and Sucrose]

[0107] A tablet containing palatinose and sucrose with the composition as shown in Table 3 below was prepared. The mixed powder with the following composition was compressed at a tableting pressure of 300 kg/cm3 to make a 18 mm diametric, 5 mm thick, and 1.5 g weighing tablet. 3 TABLE 3 component compounding ratio (weight) pulverized palatinose 27.5 (obtained by pulverizing crystalline palatinose (Trade name: Crystalline palatinose-IC, made by Shin Mitsui Sugar Co., LTD.) by an atomizer) powder sugar 27.5 citric acid 1 sugar ester 1 Aspartame 0.05 vitamin P 0.0002 water 0.6 lemon juice proper quantity

Example 7

[0108] [Powder Drink Containing Palatinose and Sucrose]

[0109] A powder drink containing palatinose and sucrose with the composition as shown in Table 4 below was prepared by a conventional method using a universal mixing stirrer. 4 TABLE 4 component compounding ratio (weight) crystalline palatinose 42.35 (Trade name: Crystalline palatinose-IC, made by Shin Mitsui Sugar Co., LTD.) sucrose (granulated sugar) 42.35 powder juice 10 anhydrous citric acid 3 sodium citrate 0.4 L-ascorbic acid 0.5 sodium ascorbate 0.3 riboflavin (content 10% by weight) 0.1

Example 8

[0110] [Refreshing Drink Containing Palatinose and Sucrose]

[0111] A refreshing drink containing palatinose and sucrose with the composition as shown in Table 5 below was prepared. The raw materials were dissolved in 250 ml of boiling hot water to fill in a drink can (for 250 ml). 5 TABLE 5 component g/can crystalline palatinose 4 (Trade name: Crystalline palatinose-IC, made by Shin Mitsui Sugar Co., LTD.) sucrose (granulated sugar) 4 citric acid 0.15 vitamin C 0.03 sodium chloride 0.05 potassium chloride 0.04 calcium chloride 0.012 magnesium carbonate 0.002 sodium glutamate 0.006 stevia sweetener 0.01 vitamin P 0.0004 flavoring agent proper quantity

Example 9

[0112] [Sponge Cake Containing Palatinose, Sucrose and Starch]

[0113] A sponge cake containing palatinose, sucrose and starch with the composition as shown in Table 6 below was prepared. Crystalline palatinose, sucrose (granulated sugar) and xanthan gum were powdery mixed to make a mixture called A. Wheat flour and baking powder were mixed to make a mixture called B. Milk and the Ryoto ester SP were added to A and mixed thoroughly, followed by adding egg and thorough mixing to become homogeneous, which was warmed up to about 25° C. in hot bath. This mixture was bubbled up by a universal stirrer until no more bubble could be generated. The resultant was mixed, with B to make a mixture without kneading B, The mixture was filled in a sponge cake tin to bake in an oven at 160° C. for 40 min. The composition of this Example contained 70 g of palatinose, 30 g of sucrose and about 90 g of starch. 6 TABLE 6 component g egg 200 palatinose powder sugar 70 (Trade name: powder palatinose ICP, made by Shin Mitsui Sugar Co., LTD.) sucrose (granulated sugar) 30 wheat flour 120 milk 41 xanthan gum 0.6 foaming agent 9.2 (Trade name: Ryoto Ester SP, made by Mitsubishi-Kagaku Foods Corporation) baking powder 3

Example 10

[0114] [Refreshing Drink Containing Palatinose and High Fructose Corn Syrup]

[0115] A refreshing drink containing palatinose and high fructose corn syrup with the composition as shown in Table 7 below was prepared. The raw materials were dissolved in 250 ml of hot water to fill in a drink can (for 250 ml). 7 TABLE 7 component g/can crystalline palatinose 4 (Trade name: Crystalline palatinose-IC, made by Shin Mitsui Sugar Co., LTD.) high fructose corn syrup 5.33 citric acid 0.15 vitamin C 0.03 sodium chloride 0.05 potassium chloride 0.04 calcium chloride 0.012 magnesium carbonate 0.002 sodium glutamate 0.006 stevia sweetener 0.01 vitamin P 0.0004 flavoring agent proper quantity

Example 11

[0116] [Madeleine Containing Palatinose and Starch]

[0117] A Madeleine containing palatinose and starch with the composition as shown in Table 8 below was prepared. Wheat flour and baking powder had been mixed and sieved. Butter had been melted in a hot bath. Egg was fed in a ball, to which granulated sugar, kitchen salt, lemon peel and lemon essence were added followed by warming in a hot bath. While warming, palatinose was fed in, and the mixture was stirred thoroughly by a eggbeater. The sieved wheat flour was added at a bulk to be mixed thoroughly and then the melted butter was added to be mixed. The resultant was separated to fill into aluminum foil cups and baked in an oven at 160° C. for about 10 min until browned. The Madeleine prepared by the Example contained 60 g of palatinose and about 37 g of starch. 8 TABLE 8 component g wheat flour (soft flour) 50 baking powder 1 butter 40 egg 60 crystalline palatinose 60 (Trade name: Crystalline palatinose-IC, made by Shin Mitsui Sugar Co., LTD.) kitchen salt 0.2 grated lemon peel proper quantity lemon essence proper quantity

Example 12

[0118] [Cake Mix Containing Palatines, Sucrose and Wheat Flour]

[0119] A cake mix with the composition as shown in Table 9 below was prepared. Materials excluding shortening were previously mixed and then the molten shortening was added and mixed to be sieved. 9 TABLE 9 component compounding ratio (weight) wheat flour (soft flour) 33.0 palatinose powder sugar 25.0 (Trade name: powder palatinose ICP, made by Shin Mitsui Sugar Co., LTD.) granulated sugar 9.6 sodium bicarbonate 0.6 sodium pyrophosphate 1.0 shortening 25.0 skim milk powder 5.0 flavoring agent 0.2 emulsifying agent 0.1 (Trade name: Ryoto Sugar Ester S-1170, made by Mitsubishi-Kagaku Foods Corporation) kitchen salt 0.5

Example 13

[0120] [Hot Cake Mix Containing Palatinose and Wheat Flour]

[0121] A hot cake mix was prepared by powdery mixing raw materials with the composition as shown in Table 10 below. Materials excluding shortening were previously mixed and then the molten shortening was added and mixed to be sieved. 10 TABLE 10 component compounding ratio (weight) wheat flour (soft flour) 63.0 powder palatinose 23.0 (Trade name: powder palatinose ICP, made by Shin Mitsui Sugar Co., LTD.) baking powder 3.5 skim milk powder 6.0 flavoring agent 0.2 kitchen salt 0.1 emulsifying agent 0.1 (Trade name: Ryoto Sugar Ester S-1170, made by Mitsubishi-Kagaku Foods Corporation) xanthan gum 0.1 shortening 4.0

Test Example 1

[0122] A combination of sucrose and palatinose was ascertained to be more resistant to color than palatinose alone.

[0123] 5 g of carbohydrate and 1 g of glutamic acid were dissolved in distilled water to prepare a sample having a 10 total weight of 50 g. Three kinds of samples were prepared, that is, a sample containing sucrose alone as the carbohydrate, a sample containing palatinose alone as the carbohydrate, and a sample containing a combination of 2.5 g sucrose and 2.5 g palatinose as the carbohydrate. These samples were filled in 100 ml capped vials and then heated at 100° C. for 50 min. After the heating, samples were cooled and respective absorbances were measured at a wavelength of 420 nm. As a result, the sample containing palatinose alone as the carbohydrate gave an absorbance of 0.004, and the sample containing sucrose alone gave that of 0.0015, while the sample containing palatinose and sucrose by the equal weight gave that of 0.002. The sample containing palatinose and sucrose by the equal weight was more suppressed from coloring than the sample containing palatinose alone. This absorbance by the palatinose was a value which allowed a user to visually recognize the sample to be colored brown.

[0124] Three same kinds of samples were prepared and treated in an autoclave at 121° C. for 20 min, that is, the same level as in retort sterilization for a canned food, and measured the absorbance at a wavelength of 420 nm. As a result, the sample containing palatinose alone as the carbohydrate gave an absorbance of 0.322, and the sample containing sucrose alone gave that of 0.020, while the sample containing palatinose and sucrose by the equal weight gave that of 0.069. The sample containing palatinose and sucrose by the equal weight was clearly more suppressed from coloring than the sample containing palatinose alone. All the samples were visually colored brown. But the sample containing palatinose alone as the carbohydrate had clearly deep brown, while the sample containing sucrose alone and the sample containing both palatinose and sucrose had clearly light brown.

[0125] It has been concluded from the above result that use of a combination of palatinose and sucrose in a processed food can not only reduce an increase in blood glucose level caused by the sucrose, but also suppress a heat coloring caused by the palatinose, comparing with use of palatinose alone.

Test Example 2

[0126] [Suppression of Crystallization by Simultaneous use of Palatinose and Sucrose]

[0127] A combination of palatinose and sucrose was ascertained to be more resistant to crystallize than palatinose alone.

[0128] A solution containing 50 wt % of sucrose, a solution containing 50 wt % of palatinose, and a solution containing each 25 wt % of sucrose and palatinose were prepared by 100 ml respectively, and then they were filled in capped screw vials. Dissolution was performed until no crystal remained at 50° C. These vials were put in a refrigerator set at 5° C. to observe crystallization.

[0129] After 2 days of storage, the solution containing palatinose alone began crystallization, and after 6 days amount of the crystal was measured. 10.77 g of palatinose was demonstrated to have crystallized. As for the solution containing sucrose alone and the solution containing both sucrose and palatinose, no crystallization were observed during the days.

[0130] The above result reveals that palatinose contained in a concentration where it tends to crystallize when used alone dose not crystallize when it is simultaneously used with sucrose.

[0131] By ingesting palatinose before or after or simultaneously with consuming a kind of carbohydrate such as sucrose, glucose and high fructose corn syrup, which has an &agr;-1,6-glucosyl bond ratio of from 0% to less than 50% relative to the total bonds among constituent saccharides, an increase in blood glucose level caused by the carbohydrate can be reduced. Furthermore, palatinose, when used as a raw material in combination with one or more other carbohydrates such as nonreducing sugar, can reduce a factor for coloring to make food resistant to coloring and, when used in a combination with one or more other carbohydrates with high solubility, becomes not to tend to crystallize.

[0132] Palatinose, when used in combination with a sweetener such as sucrose and high fructose corn syrup, reduces the sweetness caused by the sucrose, glucose or high fructose corn syrup, resulting in providing food with low sweetness.

[0133] When an effect of reducing an increase in blood glucose level is exerted by ingesting palatinose before or after or simultaneously with consuming one or more other carbohydrates, or consuming food containing a combination of palatinose and one or more other carbohydrates in the raw material, insulin secretion is also reduced to result in exerting an effect of reducing a body fat accumulation. The invention can be applied to not only human but also a non-human animal (particularly a mammal).

Claims

1. A reducer of blood glucose level increase comprising palatinose as an active ingredient,

wherein said reducer is ingested before or after or simultaneously with consuming a carbohydrate having an &agr;-1,6-glucosyl bond ratio of from 0% to less than 50% relative to the total bonds among constituent saccharides, and

wherein said reducer reduces an increase in blood glucose level caused by consuming said carbohydrate.

2. A reducer of blood glucose level increase comprising palatinose as an active ingredient,

wherein said reducer is ingested before or after or simultaneously with consuming at least one foodstuff being selected from the group consisting of sucrose, wheat flour, starch, dextrin and high fructose corn syrup, and

wherein said reducer reduces an increase in blood glucose level caused by consuming said foodstuff.

3. A reducer of blood glucose level increase comprising palatinose as an active ingredient,

wherein said reducer is ingested before or after or simultaneously with consuming food, and

wherein said reducer reduces an increase in blood glucose level caused by consuming said food.

4. A reducer of body fat accumulation comprising palatinose as an active ingredient,

wherein said reducer is ingested before or after or simultaneously with consuming a carbohydrate having an &agr;-1,6-glucosyl bond ratio of from 0% to less than 50% relative to the total bonds among constituent saccharides, and

wherein said reducer reduces body fat accumulation resulted from the increase in blood glucose level and insulin secretion caused by ingesting said carbohydrate.

5. A reducer of body fat accumulation comprising palatinose as an active ingredient,

wherein said reducer is ingested before or after or simultaneously with consuming at least one foodstuff being selected from the group consisting of sucrose, wheat flour, starch, dextrin and high fructose corn syrup, and

wherein said reducer reduces body fat accumulation resulted from the increase in blood glucose level and insulin secretion caused by consuming said foodstuff.

6. A reducer of body fat accumulation comprising palatinose as an active ingredient,

wherein said reducer is ingested before or after or simultaneously with consuming food, and

wherein said reducer reduces body fat accumulation resulted from the increase in blood glucose level and insulin secretion caused by consuming said food.

7. A food material comprising palatinose and a foodstuff composed of a carbohydrate having an &agr;-1,6-glucosyl bond ratio of from 0% to less than 50% relative to the total bonds among constituent saccharides,

wherein said food material reduces blood glucose level increase caused by consuming said foodstuff.

8. A food material comprising palatinose and at least one foodstuff being selected from the group consisting of sucrose, wheat flour, starch, dextrin and high fructose corn syrup,

wherein said food material reduces blood glucose level increase caused by consuming said foodstuff.

9. A food material according to claim 8,

wherein said food material is used as a sweetener and said foodstuff is at least one foodstuff being selected from the group consisting of sucrose and high fructose corn syrup.

10. A food material according to claim 8,

wherein said food material is used as a premix material and said foodstuff is at least one foodstuff being selected from the group consisting of sucrose, wheat flour, starch and dextrin.

11. A food material according to claim 8,

wherein said food material is used as a powdery drink and said foodstuff is sucrose.

12. A food material according to any of claims 7-11,

wherein the weight (A) of said palatinose has a ratio of 10% or more relative to the total weight (B) of carbohydrate contained in said food material, and said palatinose is combined so that said palatinose is ingested by 5 g or more per 60 kg of body weight of an individual.

13. A food material comprising palatinose and a foodstuff composed of a carbohydrate having an &agr;-1,6-glucosyl bond ratio of from 0% to less than 50% relative to the total bonds among constituent saccharides,

wherein said food material reduces body fat accumulation resulted from the increase in blood glucose level and insulin secretion caused by consuming said foodstuff.

14. A food material comprising palatinose and at least one foodstuff being selected from the group consisting of sucrose, wheat flour, starch, dextrin and high fructose corn syrup,

wherein said food material reduces body fat accumulation resulted from the increase in blood glucose level and insulin secretion caused by consuming said foodstuff.

15. A food material according to claim 14,

wherein said food material is used as a sweetener and said foodstuff is at least one foodstuff being selected from the group consisting of sucrose and high fructose corn syrup.

16. A food material according to claim 14,

wherein said food material is used as a premix material and said foodstuff is at least one foodstuff being selected from the group consisting of sucrose, wheat flour, starch and dextrin.

17. A food material according to claim 14,

wherein said food material is used as a powdery drink and said foodstuff is sucrose.

18. A food material according to any of claims 13-17,

wherein the weight (A) of said palatinose has a ratio of 20% or more relative to the total weight (B) of carbohydrate contained in said food material, and said palatinose is combined so that said palatinose is ingested by 10 g or more per 60 kg of body weight of an individual.

19. A method for reducing blood glucose level increase, characterized by having an individual ingest a reducer of a blood glucose level increase described in any of claims 1-3.

20. A method for reducing blood glucose level increase, characterized by having an individual ingest a food material described in any of claims 7-11 or a food prepared by processing said food material.

21. A method for reducing body fat accumulation, characterized by having an individual ingest a reducer of body fat accumulation described in any of claims 4-6.

22. A method for reducing body fat accumulation, characterized by having an individual ingest a food material described in any of claims 13-17 or a food prepared by processing said food material.