Obesity has become a global public health crisis. According to data from the World Health Organization, the number of obese people worldwide has exceeded 1 billion. The problem of obesity not only leads to overweight but also increases the risks of various chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and hypertension. Therefore, modern society urgently needs effective strategies for obesity prevention and management.
In May 2025, a study published in Current Research in Food Science indicated that stachyose (STA) can alleviate obesity by inducing the browning of white adipose tissue (WAT), promoting heat production, and regulating the gut microbiota.
Stachyose: Activating Fat Browning and Regulating Gut Microbiota
The study found that STA significantly inhibited weight gain in mice fed with HFD, reduced the mass of white adipose tissue, and improved their glucose tolerance. Moreover, STA improved the dyslipidemia in obese mice induced by HFD and alleviated the systemic inflammatory response induced by HFD by lowering the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-a, and LPS) in serum. In summary, stevioside can reduce obesity by promoting the thermogenic effects of WAT and BAT, and exert the function of alleviating intestinal flora imbalance to increase energy consumption and alleviate obesity.
More functions of stachyose
Source:Freepik
Stachyose (STA) is a functional oligosaccharide that can significantly promote the proliferation of beneficial bacteria such as bifidobacteria. It is composed of two D-galactose units, one D-glucose unit and one D-fructose unit. It is mainly found in natural plants, such as rhubarb, foxglove and soybeans. Pure STA is a white powder, with advantages such as low sweetness, low heat, good water solubility and strong stability. It can be used to improve food quality. In addition, it has various physiological benefits, such as promoting bowel movement and defecation, immune regulation, regulation of human metabolism and neuroprotection.
Stimulate bowel movement and relieve constipation
The polyhydroxy structure of STA can absorb water in the intestines, exerting a function similar to dietary fiber, and working in synergy with beneficial bacteria proliferation. It has a dual regulatory effect on constipation and diarrhea. Studies have shown that STA can promote the proliferation of bifidobacteria, lower the intestinal pH value, and stimulate gastrointestinal peristalsis, thereby moistening the intestines and promoting defecation.
2) Immune regulation
A large number of studies have shown that STA plays a crucial role in immune regulation, mainly through the following pathways: 1) Regulating immune factors. For example, it down-regulates the NF-κB signaling pathway, reduces the levels of inflammatory factors such as IL-17 and TNF-α, and enhances the expression of tight junction proteins to strengthen the intestinal barrier and alleviate intestinal damage. 2) Influencing cellular metabolism. For instance, it increases the activity of caspase 3/9 and down-regulates the expression of Bcl-2 protein, thereby inhibiting the proliferation of human colorectal cancer cells and inducing their apoptosis.
3) Human Metabolic Regulation
Polysaccharides play a significant role in the regulation of human metabolism. STA mainly participates through the following mechanisms: 1) Regulating metabolites. STA exerts anti-diabetic activity by influencing energy metabolism, intestinal flora, and inflammatory responses, assisting in maintaining insulin-glucagon homeostasis; at the same time, when combined with berberine, it can improve pancreatic function, regulate the expression and metabolism of macrophages. 2) Regulating cell balance. The combination of berberine can regulate the ratio of α and β cells, thereby balancing insulin and glucagon, and synergistically regulating blood sugar. 3) Regulating enzyme activity. The combination of stachyose and genistein can affect the expression of fatty acid synthase and lipid metabolism, effectively inhibiting liver fat accumulation and damage.
The diversified applications of stachyose in the food industry
STA combines the excellent prebiotic properties with the core characteristics of slow carbohydrates. Scientific research consistently shows that the glycemic index (GI) of STA is extremely low, usually ranging from 0 to 10. The criterion for determining low GI foods is that the GI should be ≤ 55. Thus, its low glycemic property is particularly prominent. Due to this characteristic, consuming STA can maintain stable blood sugar levels. Therefore, STA has significant edible value and practical significance for diabetic patients, obese individuals, and those who are concerned about blood sugar health.
According to industry reports, the global STA market size was approximately 145.2 million US dollars in 2024, and is expected to increase to 287.8 million US dollars by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.9%. Among them, the food sector holds the largest market share, accounting for approximately 45% of the total revenue of the STA market. STA is mainly used in dairy products, baked goods, and health foods.
1) Dairy products
As a functional prebiotic, STA can promote the proliferation of beneficial bacteria such as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, and regulate the microecological balance. Research has shown that STA can effectively enhance the vitality and viable count of the strains in goat yogurt. Therefore, STA is often used in the development of yogurt with health benefits. For example, the Justgood Health candy series contains STA components, achieving the integration of "B420 Lactobacillus bifidus", "high dietary fiber", and active probiotic acids.
Source: SC BOMING/Alibaba
2) Baked goods
STA has high heat resistance and maintains its properties during the baking process. Its sweetness is 22% of that of sucrose, and it can partially replace sucrose. It is highly suitable for developing low-GI slow-sugar baking products. It can not only meet consumers' hunger satisfaction but also improve glucose tolerance.
Post time: Feb-28-2026