Investigating the potential of prebiotics to rebalance and maintain health
Task Force Information
Objectives
A prebiotic is a food ingredient that selectively stimulates growth and/or the activity of microbial species inhabiting the host, which may bring about health benefits. A better understanding of mechanisms of prebiotics is still needed. The task force aims at providing mechanistic insights linking prebiotics to individual health benefits.
Task Force Members
Clémentine Thabuis-Chair | Roquette | Senior Nutrition & Health Research Manager | FR |
Elaine Vaughan-Vice-Chair | Sensus | Scientific & Regulatory Affairs | NL |
Kristin Verbeke, Co-Chair | Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID) | Researcher | BE |
Paul de Vos | University of Groningen | Full Professor | NL |
Annick Pollet | Cargill | Ingredient Chemistry R&D Manager | BE |
Stephan Theis | Südzucker Group | Head of Nutrition Science | DE |
Georgina Dodd | Clasado | R&D Senior Scientist | UK |
Sofia Forssten | IFF | Senior Scientist | FI |
Damien Guillemet | Nexira | Scientific Development Director | FR |
Alexandra Meynier | Mondelez International | Nutrition Scientist | FR |
Frédérique Respondek | CPKelco | Director Innovation | FR |
Bernd Stahl | Danone Nutricia | Director Research & Innovation | NL |
Danica Bajic | DSM-Firmenich | Scientist | DK |
Jessica Van Harsselaar | Südzucker Group, | Manager Nutrition Science | DE |
Lars Christensen | Arla Foods | Research Scientist | DE |
Georgia Chatonidi | ILSI Europe | Scientific Project Manager | BE |
*Scientific Advisor
For more detailed information, please contact Georgia Chatonidi at gchatonidi@ilsieurope.be
Activity Overview
Ongoing
- Role of prebiotics in bacterial and viral infection, and vaccination efficiency
Recent research suggests a beneficial effect of nondigestible carbohydrates-type prebiotics consumption on immunity and resistance to infections. The purpose of this activity is to review and collect and assess the scientific evidence and provide academic and industry scientists working in the prebiotic field with answers regarding the potential impact on viral and bacterial diseases and vaccination efficacy.
Start date: September 2022 | End date: Q4 2024
Upcoming
- Implementation of NAMs in prebiotic research
With the Task Force on New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), the Prebiotics Task Force has developed a new project to address the implementation of NAMs in prebiotic research through a gap analysis and a strategic mapping of existing models.
Expected kick-off: Q4 2024
- Markers of the gut microbiota
The group aims to identify key markers for assessing microbiota improvement, focusing on measurable indicators of microbiota composition. The activity is shared with the Probiotics Task Force.
Kick-off: Q4 2024 - End: Q1 2026
Expert Groups
Role of prebiotics in bacterial and viral infection, and vaccination efficiency
Background and Objectives
This review aims at collecting and assessing the scientific evidence of the potential impact on viral and bacterial diseases and vaccination efficacy. The review will give the current status for prebiotics impact on infections, both prevention or recovery, and in supporting vaccination efficacy, for academics and industry scientists in this field.
Output
This activity aims to understand the extent and mechanisms by which prebiotics impact the human host to support immunity in infection situations and vaccination efficacy. Output of this review will assess the scientific evidence and provide academic and industry scientists working in the prebiotic field with answers regarding the potential impact on viral and bacterial diseases and vaccination efficacy. The review will cover all age groups from infants to elderly as effects can differ to the development of the immune system.
Expert Group Members
Paul de Vos – Chair | University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) | Professor | NL |
Elaine Vaughan – Vice-Chair | Sensus | Scientific & Regulatory Affairs | NL |
Hediye Arioz Tunc | University of Southampton | Postgraduate Research Student | UK |
Alissa Cait | Malaghan Institute of Medical Research | Postdoctoral Researcher | NZ |
Philip Calder | University of Southampton | Professor of Nutritional Immunology, Head Human Development & Health | UK |
Lucien Harthoorn | Clasado | Director Research & Development | UK |
Olivier Gasser | Malaghan Institute of Medical Research | Translational Immunology | NZ |
Damien Guillemet | Nexira | Scientific Development Director | FR |
Daniel James | University of Reading | UK | |
Anna Lubkowska | Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin | Head of Functional Diagnostics and Physical Medicine | PL |
Alexandra Meynier | Mondelēz International | Nutrition Scientist | FR |
Weronika Ratajczak | Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin | Chair of Functional Diagnostics and Physical Medicine | PL |
Frédérique Respondek | CPKELCO | Director Scientific Regulatory Affairs | FR |
Clémentine Thabuis | Roquette | Nutrition Research Manager | FR |
Stephan Theis | Südzucker Group | Head of Nutrition Science | DE |
Gemma Walton | University of Reading | Associate Professor | UK |
Georgina Dodd | Clasado | Senior Scientist | UK |
Publications
Oldest to Newest
Prebiotics in food and dietary supplements: a roadmap to EU health claims
Gut Microbes, 2024
Numerous studies have established that prebiotic ingredients in foods and dietary supplements may play a role in supporting human health. Over the three decades that have passed since prebiotics were first defined as a concept, research has revealed a complex universe of prebiotic-induced changes to the human microbiota. There are strong indications of a direct link between these prebiotic-induced changes and specific health benefits.
Targeting cognitive resilience through prebiotics: A focused perspective
Advances in Nutrition, 2024
This perspective article is a product of the work of an expert group within the Prebiotic Task Force convened by the International Life Sciences Institute Europe (ILSI Europe), a non-profit organization that brings together experts from academia, industry and public service to catalyse nutrition science for public benefit.
Multimedia
Completed Expert Groups
Overview of completed activities
- “Prebiotics Sandpit” Workshop: Identifiyng Knowledge Gaps and a Roadmap for Building an Health Claims Portfolio
- Role of prebiotics in cognitive functioning: What do we know and where to go next?
- Prediction of individual responses to prebiotics and probiotics intervention (collaboration with Probiotics Task Force)
- Understanding the Relationship Between the Molecular Structure and the Effects of Prebiotic Compounds on Microbiota and its Metabolites
- Joint nutrition cluster activity on ‘mechanistic insights into the gut-brain axis' in collaboration with Early Nutrition and Long-Term Health; Health Benefit Assessment of Foods; Nutrition, Immunity & Inflammation; Nutrition & Brain Health; and Probiotics Task Forces
- Updated concise monograph - Dietary Probiotics, Prebiotics and the Gut Microbiota in Human Health (collaboration with Probiotics Task Force)
- Revealing the Mechanistic Role in Human Physiology and Beneficial Aspects of Short Chain Fatty Acid (SCFA) Production in the Gastro-Intestinal Tract (GIT)