Beneficial Bacteria

Lisa M. Sanders is a nutrition scientist at Tate & Lyle, Decatur, IL, with an expertise in the area of fiber and wellness carbohydrates. She obtained her Ph.D. in nutrition science from Texas A&M University, where she researched dietary fiber in the prevention of colon cancer. 

The term “prebiotic” is relatively new, coined only in 1995 by researchers Glen Gibson and Marcel Roberfroid. Since that time, research in the area of prebiotics has seen a tremendous boom and continues to grow. But the science hasn’t quite reached the general public yet, and most consumers are unaware of prebiotics and their benefits. So, what is a prebiotic, and why are scientists and nutritionists so interested in these substances? In the most basic terms, prebiotics are food ingredients that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria that live in the large intestine. And why is promoting bacterial growth a good thing? Some of the bacteria in the large intestine are beneficial and actually give health benefits to the entire body. In just the past decade, the beneficial bacteria in our large intestine have been connected to a plethora of health benefits, including, enhanced immune responses, decreases in body fat, stronger bones, reduced inflammatory responses (such as in patients with inflammatory bowel disease), improved digestive health, enhanced satiety and anti-cancer benefits.

At Tate & Lyle, we have developed the PROMITOR™ line of fibers, including PROMITOR™ Soluble Corn Fiber and PROMITOR™ Resistant Starch, which act as prebiotics. In addition to promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria, these fibers are also fermented by the beneficial bacteria to produce substances that contribute to the health of the large intestine. We continue to work with leading researchers in the area of prebiotics to determine additional health benefits, such as enhanced immunity, digestive health and bone health.

As prebiotics make their way into the marketplace, Tate & Lyle is ready to provide you with the ingredients you need to give customers the benefits they demand, without compromising on taste. PROMITOR™ Soluble Corn Fiber and PROMITOR™ Resistant Starch provide a range of applications by which you can incorporate prebiotic fibers into your foods and provide value-added products to your customers.