Abstract: This invention provides a preparation of a powdered plant sterol ester which comprises a plant sterol ester, an octenyl succinate-modified starch and an indigestible dextrin. The preparation can be prepared by a method comprising the steps of emulsifying a plant sterol ester in an aqueous solution containing an octenyl succinate-modified starch and an indigestible dextrin to form an emulsion and then powdering the resulting emulsion. The invention permits the application of plant sterol esters to wide variety of foods and drinks. In addition, the invention permits the effective control of an increase of the serum-cholesterol content accompanied by the intake of meals.

Abstract: A method for controlling intestinal function, blood sugar level, body fat or serum lipid, or maintaining and improving glucose tolerance. The method comprises giving to human body or animal foods and drinks, having health benefits, or enriched with health benefits, wherein the foods and drinks comprise as an active ingredient a hydrogenated, indigestible dextrin that is obtained by digesting pyrodextrin with an enzyme to obtain an indigestible dextrin, and then hydrogenating the indigestible dextrin.

Abstract: To develop a method for producing a novel sweetener containing glucose, fructose, and psicose, which is produced from glucose liquid sugar using an isomerase and an epimerase; use of the novel sweetener as a food or drink material; and a novel sweetener capable of preventing obesity caused by the intake thereof. An isomerase and an epimerase are allowed to act on glucose liquid sugar produced in a glucose liquid sugar production plant to thereby produce D-psicose, thereby providing a novel sweetener (product) that maintains the degree and quality of sweetness of a glucose-fructose mixed solution and never causes obesity, a method for producing the same, and use of the same.

Abstract: The weight difference is limited between buckets (17) mounted at respective symmetrical positions with respect to a centrifugal separation rotational center and examination of samples is continuously performed in the order in which they are received. In particular, when a sample (21) is carried in a centrifugal buffer line (11), its weight is measured by weight measuring means (31). It is assumed that the names of two adaptors (22) placed at respective symmetrical positions with respect to the centrifugal separation rotational center are defined as an adaptor A and an adaptor B. A first sample is put on the adaptor A and a second sample is put on the adaptor B. Then, a third sample and subsequent ones are each put on the adaptor (22) lighter than the other adaptor after the total weights of samples put on the adaptors are computation-compared with each other.

Abstract: The present invention herein provides an agent or a food for inhibiting a postprandial increase in blood neutral fat level. The agent or food comprises, as an effective component, a water-soluble and hardly digestible starch decomposed product having a content of hardly digestible components of at least 35% by mass. The water-soluble and hardly digestible starch decomposed product can be ingested separately or simultaneous with a high fat-content meal.

Abstract: Problem: To develop a method for producing a novel sweetener containing glucose, fructose, and psicose, which is produced from glucose liquid sugar using an isomerase and an epimerase; use of the novel sweetener as a food or drink material; and a novel sweetener capable of preventing obesity caused by the intake thereof. Means of Resolution: An isomerase and an epimerase are allowed to act on glucose liquid sugar produced in a glucose liquid sugar production plant to thereby produce D-psicose, thereby providing a novel sweetener (product) that maintains the degree and quality of sweetness of a glucose-fructose mixed solution and never causes obesity, a method for producing the same, and use of the same.

Abstract: A method for controlling intestinal function, blood sugar level, body fat or serum lipid, or maintaining and improving glucose tolerance. The method comprises giving to human body or animal foods and drinks, having health benefits, or enriched with health benefits, wherein the foods and drinks comprise as an active ingredient a hydrogenated, indigestible dextrin that is obtained by digesting pyrodextrin with an enzyme to obtain an indigestible dextrin, and then hydrogenating the indigestible dextrin.

Abstract: This invention provides a preparation of a powdered plant sterol ester which comprises a plant sterol ester, an octenyl succinate-modified starch and an indigestible dextrin. The preparation can be prepared by a method comprising the steps of emulsifying a plant sterol ester in an aqueous solution containing an octenyl succinate-modified starch and an indigestible dextrin to form an emulsion and then powdering the resulting emulsion. The invention permits the application of plant sterol esters to wide variety of foods and drinks. In addition, the invention permits the effective control of an increase of the serum-cholesterol content accompanied by the intake of meals.

Abstract: The present invention herein provides an agent or a food for inhibiting a postprandial increase in blood neutral fat level. The agent or food comprises, as an effective component, a water-soluble and hardly digestible starch decomposed product having a content of hardly digestible components of at least 35% by mass. The water-soluble and hardly digestible starch decomposed product can be ingested separately or simultaneous with a high fat-content meal.

Abstract: Problem to be solved: To provide foods and drinks having health benefits or enriched with health benefits and a method for adding strong health benefits to foods in a wide range. Solution: The present invention provides foods and drinks, having health benefits, or enriched with health benefits, comprising as an active ingredient a hydrogenated, hardly digestible dextrin obtainable by digesting pyrodextrin with an enzyme and then hydrogenating the digested dextrin. The present invention also provides a method for adding health benefits to foods and drinks or for increasing the health benefits in foods and drinks, which comprises the steps of adding at least 3 g/meal or 3 g/day, in terms of hardly digestible components, of the hydrogenated, hardly digestible dextrin to foods or drinks to foods or drinks, or replacing at least a part of the foods or drinks with the hydrogenated, hardly digestible dextrin.