Acute effects of a herb extract formulation and inulin fibre on appetite, energy intake and food choice

The impact of two commercially available products, a patented herb extract Yerbe Maté, Guarana and Damiana (YGD) formulation and an inulin-based soluble fermentable fibre (SFF), alone or in combination, on appetite and food intake were studied for the first time in a double blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over design. 58 normal to slightly overweight women consumed a fixed-load breakfast followed 4 h later by an ad libitum lunch. They were administered YGD (3 tablets) and SFF (5 g in 100 ml water), YGD and water (100 ml), SFF and placebo (3 tablets) or water and placebo 15 min before meals. Appetite was assessed using visual analogue scales, and energy intake was measured at lunch. Significant reductions in food intake and energy intake were observed when YGD was present (59.5 g, 16.3%; 112.4 kcal, 17.3%) and when SFF was present (31.9 g, 9.1%; 80 kcal, 11.7%) compared with conditions were products were absent. The lowest intake (gram and kcal) was in the YGD + SFF condition. Significant reductions in AUC hunger and AUC desire to eat were also observed after YGD + SFF combination. The data demonstrate that YGD produces a robust short-term effect on caloric intake, an effect augmented by SFF. Caloric compensation for SFF indicates independent effects on appetite regulation.

• A number of products in the consumer market are purported to affect appetite.
• A mixed herbal product was found to acutely reduce intake.
• The effects of the mixed herbal product were augmented by fermentable fibre.
• Acute effects of fermentable fibre alone were less distinct.
• Combination of treatments also reduced appetite (AUC analysis).