Everything you need to know about Reducal®, GLP-1 and weight management
Maastricht, 17th January, 2025
Weight management is a concern for many people nowadays. Globally, the number of people suffering from overweight is increasing rapidly, with over 73% of the US and 53% of the European adult population being either overweight or obese. Carrying extra weight can be a risk factor for your health or an insecurity for many people. Therefore, drugs agonizing GLP-1 have been gaining popularity since they have the ability to aid in weight loss. Brands are exploring ways to innovate around this trend in a natural way without crossing into pharmaceutical territory. In this article, we will dive deeper into our product Reducal®, and how it can be included in your product portfolio for weight management supplements.

The Science Behind Satiety and Appetite Regulation
Effective weight management is more than just a goal—it’s a lifestyle. It focuses on achieving and maintaining a healthy weight through a combination of regular physical activity, a balanced diet, and sustainable behavioral changes. Unlike quick-fix solutions, weight management takes a holistic approach to promote long-term health and well-being (1).
A key factor in weight management is appetite regulation, a highly complex process driven by a network of hormones. These hormones work together to control when we feel hungry, how much we eat, and when we feel full. Understanding how these hormones function can help individuals make informed choices to support their weight management journey (2).
The key hormones:
- Ghrelin – the hunger hormone – is produced mainly in the stomach to signal the brain it’s time to eat.
- Leptin – the satiety hormone – is produced by fat cells to signal the brain there is sufficient energy stored, suppressing appetite.
- PYY – the meal terminator – is produced in the small intestine to induce feelings of fullness.
- GLP-1 – the multi-tasking hormone – is produced in the small intestine to induce feelings of fullness, slow down gastric emptying, and satiety.
The Importance of GLP-1 in Weight Management
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a hormone produced by intestinal L-cells in response to food intake. Once secreted into the bloodstream, GLP-1 exerts multiple systemic effects that play a crucial role in metabolic health. One of its primary functions is to enhance insulin secretion, leading to improved glucose regulation. Additionally, GLP-1 promotes anorexigenic (appetite-suppressing) brain signaling, slows gastric emptying, and reduces the release of ghrelin, commonly known as the “hunger hormone.” Together, these effects contribute to reduced food intake, making GLP-1 a vital player in effective weight management (3).
In recent years, GLP-1-based medications have gained widespread attention as quick fixes for weight loss. However, a growing number of consumers are recognizing that GLP-1 levels can be naturally enhanced through diet and lifestyle changes. This shift opens the door for innovation in the wellness industry, where brands can develop natural, health-focused products that support GLP-1 production. Such offerings align with the preferences of health-conscious individuals seeking sustainable solutions for weight management.
How to Naturally Boost GLP-1 Levels?
Boosting GLP-1 levels naturally can significantly support appetite regulation, glucose control, and weight management. Incorporating specific dietary changes is key to stimulating the natural release of GLP-1. Here are two effective strategies:
1. Increase Fiber Intake
Foods rich in dietary fibers are powerful allies in promoting GLP-1 secretion. Certain fibers, particularly fermentable ones like prebiotics, are metabolized by the gut microbiota into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as butyrate, propionate, and acetate. These SCFAs bind to GPR43 receptors on intestinal L-cells, triggering the release of GLP-1 into the bloodstream (4).
A healthy gut environment also enhances SCFA production, making the consumption of probiotics (alongside prebiotics) essential for optimal GLP-1 secretion (3).
Fiber Sources That Stimulate GLP-1:
- Arabinoxylan-rich foods: Found in whole grains
- Resistant starch: Found in oats and cooked potatoes
- Soluble fibers: Found in legumes, flaxseeds, and chia seeds
2. Incorporate Healthy Fats and Proteins
Both healthy fats and high-protein foods activate specific receptors in the gut, stimulating GLP-1 release.
- Healthy fats: Include unsaturated fatty acids found in foods like avocados, olive oil, and salmon.
- High-protein foods: Choose options such as white meat, fish, eggs, and Greek yogurt (5).
What are arabinoxylans?
Arabinoxylans are non-starch polysaccharides found within the cell walls of cereal grains. They can be found, among others, in wheat, barley, oats and rye. They are primarily located in the cell walls of the starchy endosperm, the aleurone layer, the bran, and the husk (6).
Arabinoxylans differ in amount and structure, depending on the type of cereal. In wheat, for instance, arabinoxylans have side chains attached by α-(1→2) and/or α-(1→3) bonds along the xylan backbone. The molecular structure of arabinoxylans also depends on the extraction method. Different extraction methods yield variations in the degree of polymerization (the chain length) and the amount of soluble arabinoxylan. Higher degrees of polymerization and greater concentrations of soluble fiber correlate with stronger bifidogenic effects (6).
What is Reducal® and why is it unique in the market?
Reducal® stands out as a clinically validated prebiotic complex consisting of arabinoxylan fiber and inulin in a 50/50 ratio. The arabinoxylan is extracted from wheat endosperm. It is a 100% natural extract, sustainably produced in Europe. Reducal® is designed to reduce energy intake, increase SCFA production and reduce inflammation, which can assist users as part of their weight management goals.
Reducal® is clinically shown to support weight management
Consumption of Reducal® has been clinically shown to reduce ad libitum energy intake by ± 20%. At the same time, Reducal® showed a significant bifidogenic effect and increased SCFA production. Through GPR43 signalling, these SCFA could have increased GLP-1 signalling and thus satiety. Due to the viscosity of Reducal®, gastric emptying is slowed down which also contributes to feelings of satiety (4).
Natural weight management solutions: Innovate with Reducal®
As the demand for natural and effective weight management solutions continues to rise, Reducal® offers an innovative way for brands to innovate and meet consumer needs with clinical evidence and easy to incorporate into products and blends. If you are curious to know more about Reducal®, you can check out the product page of Reducal® or its website.