Phynova (Oxfordshire, UK) is partnering with the Oxford Brookes Center for Nutrition and Health (OxBCNH) to study the weight management and blood sugar health effects of Phynova’s Reducose ingredient when the ingredient is microencapsulated. The clinical trial is supported by a grant from UK government innovation agency Innovate UK as part of the Better Food for All program. The trial will last between 12-24 months.

Specifically, the study will examine the effectiveness of Reduce supplementation in microencapsulated form in helping to combat excess carbohydrate consumption from modern diets. “Through this study, OxBCNH and Phynova will investigate the long-term benefits of using Reducose to maintain healthy weight and healthy blood sugar levels,” the groups’ press release states. “The program will support the enhancement of Reducose so it can be incorporated readily into food manufacturers’ product lines without impacting the flavor and texture profile for consumers.”

Microencapsulating Reducose aims to reduce texture and flavor, without impacting the ingredient’s effectiveness, they added. Reducose is a patented ingredient, water-extracted from white mulberry leaves. According to Phynova, it “temporally blocks an enzyme in the small intestine, allowing carbohydrates to pass through undigested.” In clinical trials, the ingredient has been shown to help lower the impact of blood glucose when included in foods containing sugar and other carbohydrates.