Whole Kiwi as a ‘Third-Generation’ Prebiotic? Livaux Bets Beyond Fiber
Anagenix says its gold kiwifruit powder, Livaux, carries polyphenols and other compounds that go beyond what fiber-only prebiotics deliver.
Fiber is only part of the gut health story, according to one New Zealand ingredient maker. Anagenix is pitching its whole-fruit kiwi powder as a “third-generation” prebiotic.
TLDR
- Livaux is a gold kiwifruit prebiotic powder from Anagenix.
- It keeps the fruit’s fibers, polyphenols and vitamins together.
- Company analysis found 41 phenolic compounds versus 9 in chicory root inulin.
- A study on GLP-1 digestive discomfort is underway.
What ‘Third-Generation’ Means
Earlier prebiotics focused on isolated fibers like inulin. A third-generation prebiotic, as described in the report, carries “multiple properties beyond just fiber, but also polyphenols and vitamins to provide greater benefits.”
Livaux is made from non-GMO New Zealand gold kiwifruit. It retains complex fibers, pectin, polyphenols and vitamins from the whole fruit.
The Numbers Behind the Claim
In a comparison using mass spectrometry, Livaux showed 41 unique phenolic compounds across 27 classes. Chicory root inulin showed 9. An inulin and oligofructose combination showed 7.
“The fruit fibre itself also protects polyphenols from being digested or broken down in the stomach and in the upper gastrointestinal tract,” said Elizabeth Tay, marketing and science director at Anagenix.
Livaux was named Microbiome Modulation Ingredient of the Year at the NutraIngredients-Asia Awards on September 2. Anagenix also has a study underway on digestive discomfort in people taking GLP-1 medications, expected to finish in about two months.
Why It Matters
Fiber claims are crowding shelves. Whole-food ingredients that bundle fiber with polyphenols give brands a more differentiated gut health story. The GLP-1 study is one to watch, since digestive side effects are a real pain point for users.
Source: NutraIngredients. Read the report.