Digestive health problems are prevalent across the globe and have a significant impact on day-to day and long-term quality of life, making it one of the top priorities for consumers. 27% of them have taken action to improve their digestive health over the last 12 months according to an Innova Health & Nutrition survey conducted in 11 countries in 2021.
Fytexia has released the results from a new clinical study conducted on Benegut, a patented Perilla frutescens extract standardised in rosmarinic acid and flavonoids, including vicenin-2.
A previously published clinical trial has demonstrated that Benegut can help with gastrointestinal discomfort relief after chronic consumption. This new study completes the demonstration of the efficacy of Benegut, with benefits demonstrated after the first intake.
Perilla frutescens extract has been shown to improve the intestinal barrier function measured with transepithelial electrical resistance in a cell culture model
The study followed a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled crossover design. Conducted on 30 healthy participants (22 women, 8 men) in the age group of 25 to 70 years old, it aimed to evaluate the immediate benefits of Benegut on gastrointestinal discomfort following a high-caloric meal.
The subjects completed a screening visit to evaluate their gastrointestinal symptoms over 90 minutes following a high-caloric meal.
They were included if their overall GI discomfort score was above 5 out of 10 on a VAS. Additionally, individually-selected symptoms (feeling of fullness, burping, bloating, heartburn, rumbling, passage of gas, GI discomfort/cramps/pains, nausea, urge to defecate) were assessed.
After a 7-day washout phase between visits, the subjects underwent the same protocol two times with a placebo or a supplementation in Benegut (300 mg), both formulated into a peppermint orodispersible stick-pack.
The results demonstrated that the primary outcome, overall gastrointestinal discomfort, was significantly improved compared to placebo and to baseline. Moreover, the feeling of fullness, bloating and burping were the 3 main symptoms driving the improvement in GI discomfort. All the measured symptoms were significantly reduced in the Benegut group at 90 minutes post-high caloric meal consumption, compared to baseline.
Benegut is a plant-based, low-dose solution for the digestive comfort segment. At a daily dosage of 300mg, Benegut is clinically proven to significantly improve GI discomfort over the long term and is now demonstrated to provide acute benefits.
The etiology of GI discomfort is multifactorial. From previous mechanistic studies, Perilla frutescens extract has been shown to improve the intestinal barrier function measured with transepithelial electrical resistance in a cell culture model. The antispasmodic effect of vicenin-2 has also been demonstrated in an ex-vivo study and is patented.
