Wild thyme for gut health – article

Between 60 million and 70 million people in the United States suffer from some sort of gastrointestinal (GI) problem.¹ Yet many people would rather discuss politics with a relative or reveal their weight to a friend than talk about their gut health, according to a survey by the American Gastroenterological Association, even though nearly 40% of respondents said they stopped doing some routine activities in the last year due to GI-related issues.

Perhaps this lack of public discourse is one reason why so many consumers lack awareness of the important role the gut microbiome plays, not only for gut health but overall well-being. In fact, a recent Ipsos poll revealed that about two-thirds of U.S. consumers are unfamiliar with the term “gut microbiome.” Even fewer know anything about how probiotic and prebiotic foods can affect the trillions of bacteria living in the digestive tract that influence everything from gut motility and immunity to mood.²

Despite this knowledge deficit, the importance of gut health is gaining traction. A recent study from McKinsey and Co. found that more than 80% of consumers in the United States, United Kingdom and China consider gut health to be important, with over 50% anticipating making it a higher priority in the next two to three years.³

This growing interest is reflected in the natural products market. Two out of 5 consumers have taken probiotic supplements to support gut health.⁷ Sales of gut health supplements jumped $755 million between 2019 and 2023 to $3.7 billion, according to Nutrition Business Journal (NBJ). Probiotics and prebiotics accounted for more than half of the entire category at more than $2 billion in 2023, with growth expected between 6.4% and 7.6% over the next several years.⁸

Research shifts to prebiotic polyphenols

As awareness of gut health grows, so does interest in solutions to support digestive wellness beyond probiotics, which are live organisms that confer a health benefit by helping balance the microbiome. Prebiotics have emerged as an important modulator of the microbiome. The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) defines a prebiotic as “a substrate that is selectively utilized by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit.”

The benefits of prebiotics involve more than just feeding the gut bacteria. They are known to enhance the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate, which have anti-inflammatory properties and play a role in maintaining the integrity of the gut lining. Moreover, prebiotics can help regulate bowel movements, reduce the risk of gastrointestinal disorders, and even have systemic effects, such as improving metabolic health and supporting the immune system.⁹

While prebiotics are often associated with dietary fibers such as inulin from chicory root, many can derive from non-fiber substances like polyphenols. Polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds found in plants known for their antioxidant properties. Recent research has revealed that polyphenols can also function as prebiotics, selectively promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. They are not digested in the upper gastrointestinal tract but instead reach the colon, where they are metabolized by the gut microbiota.¹⁰

One of the most promising sources of polyphenols is wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum), a medicinal plant traditionally used in Europe for its antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Wild thyme is especially rich in various polyphenols, including flavonoids and phenolic acids, which have been shown to have prebiotic effects on the microbiome.¹¹

The whole compound matrix of wild thyme

However, it took the work of a Greek gastroenterologist to pave the way for the development of 360GUT^®, a novel prebiotic ingredient derived from T. serpyllum. While treating patients with tea made from wild thyme for respiratory infections, he discovered that it also improved their gastrointestinal health. His research attracted the attention of Finzelberg, a German manufacturer of plant extracts with nearly 150 years of experience that will be climate-neutral by 2030. Finzelberg is delivering the power of more than 80 different botanicals to protect and promote health the natural way and has a global footprint in the pharmaceutical and dietary supplement industries.

“The herb fits well into our portfolio and our holistic approach to botanicals, where the whole compound matrix is the active ingredient,” explained Cynthia G. Suarez Rizzo, Ph.D., who oversees new product development at Finzelberg, which is part of the nature network, a fourth-generation family business with more than 4,000 employees worldwide.

“Our researchers then carefully validated the potential benefits of the next-generation, polyphenolic prebiotic and scaled the research from preclinical to clinical,” she added.

In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers investigated the effects of the company’s full-spectrum wild thyme extract on gut health in overweight but otherwise healthy adults. During the 10-week prospective randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study in a parallel dose-escalation design, researchers observed positive changes in the gut microbiome composition of participants receiving 600 and 900 mg of 360GUT daily.

Specifically, the group taking wild thyme experienced a decrease in the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes bacteria. This is significant because a high Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio is often associated with obesity and metabolic issues, while a lower ratio is generally considered more beneficial for gut health. Additionally, the 360GUT group showed increases in beneficial bacteria genera such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, which are known to support digestive health and immune function. Moreover, 360GUT enhanced the production of SCFAs, especially butyrate.

A versatile and tested solution

The emergence of 360GUT as a novel prebiotic ingredient represents exciting opportunities for formulators in the natural products industry, especially as consumers seek out gut health solutions made from botanical sources at lower doses than classical fibers and starches, according to Martin Felkner, senior expert of branded ingredients at Finzelberg.

“It is very important to enrich the category and cater to the diversity of the gut microbiome,” Felkner noted. “A polyphenol-rich prebiotic source like 360GUT is beneficial to the abundance of probiotic strains and helps foster a rich and diverse ecosystem.”

Scientists at Finzelberg conducted extensive tests to ensure maximum versatility of 360GUT in different formulations, ranging from powders and capsules to gummies and liquids. For example, one experiment demonstrated that the extract maintained the viability, stability and shelf life of common bacterial strains contained in two well-distributed, leading yogurt and dairy drinks.

“This opens up many opportunities for our 360GUT as a next-generation, low-dose prebiotic to be combined with typical probiotics whilst offering a synergistic effect. We are also conducting a second clinical study in Spain to see the influence of the Mediterranean Diet on the efficacy of 360GUT and vice versa,” Suarez Rizzo said.

With its unique profile as a polyphenol-based prebiotic derived from wild thyme, 360GUT represents an innovative addition to the growing arsenal of ingredients targeting gut health and overall wellness.

Learn more about 360GUT here!

References:

1. National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Opportunities and Challenges in Digestive Diseases Research: Recommendations of the National Commission on Digestive Diseases.” Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health; 2009. NIH Publication 08–6514.

2. Ipsos. “Most Americans are uninformed about gut health and the microbiome.” May 24, 2023.

3. McKinsey & Co. “The trends defining the $1.8 trillion global wellness market in 2024.” Jan 26, 2024.

4. Grand View Research. “Polyphenols Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Product, By Application, By Region and Segment Forecasts.” 2023 – 2030.

5. Nutrition Business Journal. 2024 Condition Specific Report.

6. Ibid McKinsey & Co.

7. Ibid. Ipsos.

8. Ibid. NBJ.

9. Gibson GR et al. “Expert consensus document: The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) consensus statement on the definition and scope of prebiotics.” Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2017 Aug;14(8):491-502.

10. Rodríguez-Daza MC et al. “Polyphenol-Mediated Gut Microbiota Modulation: Toward Prebiotics and Further.” Front Nutr. 2021 Jun 28:8:689456.

11. Jalil B et al. “Wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.): a review of the current evidence of nutritional and preventive health benefits.” Front Nutr. 2024 May 23:11:1380962.

12. Global Prebiotic Association.