FI ASIA 2017

APAC consumer understanding of how probiotics aid sports nutrition on the rise

By Cheryl Tay

- Last updated on GMT

Kefir is said to be able to improve sports performance. ©iStock
Kefir is said to be able to improve sports performance. ©iStock

Related tags Bacteria

There is growing consumer awareness in APAC that Kefir can help to enhance sports performance through its gastrointestinal benefits, according to Taiwan supplier Synbio Tech.

Speaking at FI Asia 2017 in Bangkok, the manager of the Taiwanese firm’s department of overseas business James Wang explained that gastrointestinal issues are common among endurance athletes, causing impaired sports performance and hindering subsequent recovery.

Kefir — a traditional fermented milk that has been produced and consumed in villages in North Caucasus, Northeast Caucasus and Mongolia for thousands of years — has been shown by previous research to positively impact gastrointestinal function due to its complex microbial community.

It reportedly possesses anti-pathogenic, anti-tumour anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic and hypocholesterolemic properties, and can alleviate lactose maldigestion and enhance the synthesis of certain B vitamins.

Powdered goodness

Based on this, Synbio Tech Inc has developed AB-Kefir, a powdered product meant for sports nutrition.

Researchers screened a selection of seven lactic acid bacteria strains found in kefir, before recombining them to form AB-Kefir. The product was then tested on 54 volunteers aged 18 to 40, and was found to improve gastrointestinal function.

According to Wang, it was shown to significantly improve issues like diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting after three weeks of consumption.

Wang added that probiotic supplementation gaining more traction among athletes and those who exercise regularly.

He said AB-Kefir could be useful for physically active consumers not just for its positive effect on gastrointestinal functions but in terms of post-exercise recovery.

Cabbage creation

He also mentioned TWK10, a product made from Lactobacillus plantarum ​TWK10, which is isolated from fermented Taiwanese cabbage.

A mouse study on the supplement reported its anti-fatigue activity and ability to improve strength and endurance, and it complements AB-Kefir’s gut health benefits by enhancing glucose utilisation to strength endurance time by increasing muscle mass.

Wang said both products have potential in the sports nutrition space, where probiotic supplementation for performance and recovery is on the rise.

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