World Obesity Day: New research links brain, cell protein, and fermented green tea to weight management

Today, on World Obesity Day, Nutrition Insight looks at the latest advances in weight management research. As GLP-1 weight-loss drugs gain traction, industry leaders stress the importance of complementary nutrition product development. Meanwhile, new studies shed light on the brain-obesity connection, the role of CD44 protein in fat metabolism, and the potential of fermented green tea in fat loss.

Meanwhile, the Pan American Health Organization is hosting an “Acceleration Plan to Stop Obesity” webinar today with insights from experts, policymakers, and advocates. In Europe, the Parliament in Brussels will present a “Gateway to Better Health: The case for coordinated EU action on obesity.”

The EU Parliament reveals one billion people globally will be obese by 2030. It underscores: “Countries will not only miss the 2025 WHO target to halt the rise in obesity at 2010 levels but the number of people with obesity is expected to double across the globe by 2035.”

Beneo backs healthy 

Dr. Stephan Theis, head of Nutrition Science and Communication at Beneo, highlights the importance of nutrition products in preventing nutrient deficiencies in weight loss journeys. 

Beneo’s application centers can help make high-protein and -fiber products, low-sugar and -glycemic foods, shakes, nutritional bars, meal replacements, and supplements.“GLP-1 drugs for weight loss have become increasingly popular. Without a doubt, those drugs can revolutionize weight loss journeys. But it’s important to note that nutrition is paramount to ensure healthy outcomes and long-term success.”

“Beneo’s portfolio of functional fibers (prebiotic and wholegrain), functional carbohydrates, and plant-based protein enables manufacturers to develop solutions that address nutritional gaps…We believe that improving the nutritional profile and maintaining great taste must go together to set the groundwork for a long-term shift to healthier habits,” he continues. 

Beneo’s application centers work on reformulations, combining nutrition and taste in possible end products, such as high-protein and -fiber products, low-sugar and -glycemic foods, shakes, nutritional bars, meal replacements, and supplements.

Additionally, Theis believes transparency is crucial—“product labels should make it as easy as possible for consumers to understand if a product is contributing to a healthy diet.” He says Beneo’s science-backed ingredients can enable brands to use front-of-packaging claims to meet regulations and help consumers make purchasing decisions.

“Fighting obesity is a complex issue with many actors. It is the responsibility of health systems, food systems, and society to make change happen.”

The brain via insulin control plays an important role in obesity and type 2 diabetes.Brain-obesity connection

The brain plays an important role in obesity and type 2 diabetes, according to a recent study by the University Hospital of Tübingen, the German Center for Diabetes Research, and Helmholtz Munich.

“Our findings demonstrate for the first time that even a brief consumption of highly processed, unhealthy foods (such as chocolate bars and potato chips) causes a significant alteration in the brain of healthy individuals, which may be the initial cause of obesity and type 2 diabetes,” says lead study and professor Dr. Stephanie Kullmann.

“Interestingly, in our healthy study participants, the brain shows a similar decrease in sensitivity to insulin after a short-term high-calorie intake as in people with obesity,” says Ms. Kullmann.

In a healthy state, insulin suppresses appetite in the brain. However, in obese individuals, insulin no longer effectively controls eating habits, leading to insulin resistance.

CD44 plays an important regulating role in regulating obesity and metabolic disorders.Lean body with high-fat diet

Published in the American Journal of Pathology, a new study discovered that CD44, a protein in fat cell formation and metabolic health, plays an important regulating role in obesity and metabolic disorders.

Lead investigator Cheng Sun, PhD, Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Nantong University, China, says: “We previously reported that CD44 deficiency suppresses neuroinflammation.”

“Given the critical role inflammation plays in the progression of obesity and its related complications, including hyperglycemia and insulin resistance, we hypothesized that CD44 might have a significant role in these processes. Therefore, we investigated the potential link between CD44 and metabolic disorders.”

While GLP-1 receptor agonists mainly control hunger and glucose metabolism, CD44 inhibition targets obesity differently by directly preventing adipogenesis. 

Co-investigator Lan Luo, MD, Department of Geriatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, China, comments: “We were surprised to observe that mice genetically engineered to lack the CD44 protein maintained a lean phenotype despite having been put on a high-fat diet, while the control mice developed obesity. This unexpected finding highlights CD44’s pivotal role in regulating fat cell formation and metabolic health.”

Green tea fermented by reishi possesses anti-obesity properties that reduce body weight and increase lipid-lowering bacteria.Fermented green tea and fat-lowering bacteria 

Separate new research in Elsevier suggests green tea fermented by Ganoderma lucidum possesses anti-obesity properties that reduce body weight and increase lipid-lowering bacteria.

Ganoderma lucidum is a fungus more commonly known as reishi. In a four-week trial, mice were given normal to high-fat diets, with some receiving green tea fermented by reishi, Orlistat, a widely prescribed anti-obesity medication, and other controls.

“In our previous study, we found that TFG generates unique components, such as 5’-guanosine monophosphate, 5′-uridine monophosphate, and theabrownin. Compared to green tea, TFG exhibits significantly enhanced in vitro lipid-lowering activity, suggesting fermentation enhances its bioactive properties,” details the paper.

“However, the anti-obesity effects and specific mechanisms of TFG remain unclear, necessitating further investigation to identify and validate the active components and signaling pathways involved.”

Those consuming the fermented tea were seen to have increased bacterial strains that lower fat, such as Lactococcus and Lachnospirales.

The study is based on previous findings that Junshanyinzhen tea extract (white tea) and Fubrick tea extract (dark tea) have anti-obesity effects on mice with high-fat diets.

In other developments, Columbia scientists discovered that specialized brain neurons in mice tell them to stop eating, which they suggest could lead to new obesity treatments.

Researchers at the University of South Australia created a food-grade natural alternative to anti-obesity medications — InuMCT microcapsules to help reduce inflammation and improve metabolic markers.