Recent research has uncovered surprising health benefits linked to thaumatin, a natural sweetener extracted from the West African Katemfe fruit. While widely known for its sweetening and flavor-enhancing properties, scientists from the Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology have discovered that thaumatin could have powerful anti-inflammatory effects. The study reveals that during digestion, thaumatin produces bitter-tasting peptides that stimulate stomach acid secretion and reduce inflammation in the stomach, potentially offering protection against infections like Helicobacter pylori.
What Is Thaumatin?
Thaumatin is a natural protein known for its sweetening power, about 1,600 times stronger than sugar. Due to its potency, the daily intake of thaumatin is relatively low. It has been approved as a sweetener in the EU (E 957) and is often used in foods and beverages. Although thaumatin loses its sweetness when exposed to high temperatures, it still functions as a flavor enhancer in baked or cooked goods. Importantly, thaumatin is considered safe for consumption, and the body completely breaks down the protein, making it free from toxic risks.
Key Discoveries: Thaumatin’s Bitter Peptides
In their research, the scientists at the Leibniz Institute focused on what happens to thaumatin during digestion. Using both animal studies and lab-based experiments, they discovered that bitter-tasting protein fragments, or peptides, are produced when thaumatin is broken down in the stomach. These peptides have two key functions:
- Stimulating Stomach Acid Secretion: In laboratory tests, the bitter peptides promoted the release of protons from stomach cells, leading to increased acid production.
- Reducing Inflammation: The researchers found that the bitter peptides reduced the inflammatory response in stomach cells, particularly in response to infections caused by Helicobacter pylori.
Thaumatin and Stomach Health
The stomach plays a critical role in digesting food and fighting infections. One of the most common stomach infections is caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which is linked to stomach ulcers, gastritis, and even stomach cancer. About half of the world’s population is infected with H. pylori, which thrives in the acidic environment of the stomach.
In their experiments, the researchers discovered that bitter peptides derived from thaumatin were effective in reducing inflammation caused by H. pylori. Specifically, the peptides reduced the release of a pro-inflammatory substance called interleukin 17A (IL-17A), which is produced by stomach cells in response to the bacteria. In fact, one peptide reduced IL-17A production by up to 89.7%. This suggests that the bitter peptides have strong anti-inflammatory properties.
How Do Bitter Peptides Work?
The anti-inflammatory effect of thaumatin’s bitter peptides is linked to a specific receptor in the stomach called TAS2R16, a bitter taste receptor. When these peptides interact with the TAS2R16 receptor, they trigger a response that both stimulates stomach acid secretion and reduces inflammation.
Practical Implications: Thaumatin’s Health Benefits
The results of this study suggest that thaumatin may offer more than just sweetness. Its bitter peptides could be useful in managing inflammatory gastric diseases, particularly those caused by H. pylori. Since the concentration of peptides tested in the study matches the amounts that can be achieved by consuming commercially available sweetener tablets, these findings have practical applications for everyday health.
Potential Health Benefits of Thaumatin:
- Anti-inflammatory properties: Thaumatin’s bitter peptides may help reduce inflammation in the stomach, particularly in response to infections.
- Stimulates stomach acid secretion: The peptides also promote healthy digestion by stimulating acid production.
- Protects against stomach infections: By reducing inflammation, thaumatin could help protect against infections caused by bacteria like H. pylori, which are linked to more severe stomach conditions.
Future Research Directions
While these findings are promising, further research is needed to understand how thaumatin and its bitter peptides can be used as a therapeutic treatment for stomach-related illnesses. The Leibniz Institute team hopes to explore the broader health effects of thaumatin and its interaction with other bitter taste receptors in the body. This research could pave the way for new dietary treatments for inflammatory gastric diseases and even contribute to our understanding of how diet affects overall health.
Conclusion
Thaumatin, a natural sweetener known for its intense sweetness and flavor-enhancing abilities, now appears to have significant health benefits as well. The bitter-tasting peptides produced during its digestion can stimulate stomach acid secretion and reduce inflammation caused by H. pylori, making thaumatin a potential aid in fighting inflammatory stomach conditions. As research continues, we may see thaumatin being used not just for its sweetness but also for its medicinal properties.
References:
- Richter, P., et al. “Gastric digestion of the sweet-tasting plant protein thaumatin releases bitter peptides that reduce H. pylori induced pro-inflammatory IL-17A release via the TAS2R16 bitter taste receptor.” Food Chemistry, 28 March 2024. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.139157.
Editor’s Note: This article is a reprint. It was originally published here: Health News