In vitro gastrointestinal lipid handling and bioaccessibility rate of infant formula with large phospholipid-coated lipid droplets are different from those of standard formula and closer to human milk

Title: In vitro gastrointestinal lipid handling and bioaccessibility rate of infant formula with large phospholipid-coated lipid droplets are different from those of standard formula and closer to human milk

Aligned with the World Health Organization’s view on the importance of breastfeeding for infant health, Danone Research & Innovation (R&I) advocates for exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life, followed by sustained breastfeeding alongside complementary foods.¹ Infant and young child feeding. World Health Organization.
Published on 2023/12/20 https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding Leveraging our expertise, we develop innovative nutritional solutions to guide and support breastfeeding mothers.

Early stages of life are characterized by a high demand for dietary energy. Adequate nutrition during this period is of utmost importance, as it not only fulfils energy requirements for growth and development but also influences infant health outcomes in the short- and long-term.²Patel JK, Rouster AS. Infant Nutrition Requirements and Options. [Updated 2023 Aug 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan. … Continue reading ³M.F. Rolland-Cachera M. Akrout, S. Peneau. Nutrient intakes in early
life and risk of obesity International Journal of Environmental
Research and Public Health, 13 (2016), 10.3390/ijerph13060564. Human milk is the gold standard for infants due to its superior energetic efficiency and associated health benefits compared to formula.

In this study, Danone R&I researchers investigate how variations in the size and coating of lipid droplets in human milk and formulas for infants affect gastrointestinal lipid handling and bioaccessibility utilizing the Tiny-TIM⁴Danone Research. Unravelling the central role of the gut in
preserving lifelong health. Published on 2024/06/25 https://www.danoneresearch.com/unravelling-central-role-gut-preserving-lifelong-health/ model to simulate infant digestion. The analysis included standard formula, without a milk flat globule membrane, and a new formula for infants developed via the Nuturis® process, containing large, milk phospholipid-coated lipid droplets.

Their findings show that both human milk and the new formula formed a lipid top layer early in digestion, which delayed gastric lipid emptying compared to standard formula. These remained homogeneous. The researchers also observed that both human milk and the new formula exhibited lower bioaccessible lipid rates, suggesting that larger lipid droplets slow down lipolysis. This may promote lipid oxidation over storage, potentially benefitting metabolism, growth, and brain development.

The study concludes that the gastrointestinal handling of the formula for infants developed via the NUTURIS® process is more similar to that of human milk than to current available standard formula. Moreover, the lower lipid bioaccessibility digestion rate may be advantageous for early life nutrition in promoting improved lipid utilization and supporting healthy growth and brain development.

Read the full study here: In vitro gastrointestinal lipid handling and bioaccessibility rate of infant formula with large phospholipid-coated lipid droplets are different from those of standard formula and closer to human milk – ScienceDirect

To learn more about our work on lipids and other NUTURIS®-related studies: Human Milk Research | Nutricia Research (danoneresearch.com)