Fancl Corporation

Nippon Beet Sugar Manufacturing., Co., Ltd.

Akiko Tamura

Norihiro Shigematsu

Fusao Tomita

Tsutomu Aritsuka

Hiroto Kikuchi

Takuya Shiomi

Yasuhide Okuhara

Kyoko Tomita

Hiroshi Hara

An oral composition for increasing equol production by inner-intestinal bacteria, wherein such composition contains difructose anhydride as an active ingredient to activate the equol production function of inner-intestinal bacteria.

Oral composition containing difructose anhydride

A method for increasing the absorption of magnesium, zinc, and/or copper through the intestines of a subject desiring such an increase, includes administering to the subject a difructose anhydride (DFA) in an amount effective to increase the absorption of magnesium, zinc, and/or copper present in the intestines.

Use of difructose anhydride-containing composition

A method for improving bowel movement of a subject desiring such an improvement, includes administering to the subject a defructose anhydride (DFA) in an amount effective to improve bowel movement.

The present invention relates to a difructose anhydride (DFA)-containing composition and use thereof. DFA is a cyclic disaccharide in which the reducing termini of two fructose molecules bind each other to hydroxyl groups at the other nonreducing termini. According to the present invention, it has been revealed that DFA is effective in accelerating the absorption of magnesium, zinc or copper, accelerating bone formation, accelerating diuretic action, and improving bowel movement and is useful in inhibiting dental caries. A composition of the present invention can be used as a composition for a medicinal product and a food or drink product (including feed for animal use). Examples of a medicinal product and a food or drink product for human or animal use include formulated powder milk, parenteral nutrients, health food and drink products, and additives for feed and are not particularly limited as long as they are ultimately in an orally administrable form.

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Yokohama, Japan

Akiko Tamura