Clinical Research on Slendesta® (Potato Protease Inhibitor II)

1. Potato Protease Inhibitor II Suppresses Postprandial Appetite in Healthy Women

Journal: Food & Function (2017)

Citation:
Zhu Y, Lasrado JA, Hu J. Potato protease inhibitor II suppresses postprandial appetite in healthy women: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Food Funct. 2017;8:1988-1993. DOI: 10.1039/C6FO01803C.

Study Design

• Randomized
• Double-blind
• Placebo-controlled
• Cross-over
• 44 healthy women

Intervention

Participants consumed:

• Placebo
• 15 mg PI2
• 30 mg PI2

One hour before a standardized breakfast.

Results

Researchers found:

• Significant reduction in hunger
• Increased fullness (satiety)
• Reduced desire to eat
• Reduced prospective food consumption
• Increased circulating CCK (cholecystokinin) at the 15 mg dose
• No significant effects on glucose or insulin
• Well tolerated with no reported adverse effects

Clinical Significance

This is considered one of the strongest human clinical trials supporting Slendesta®. It demonstrated improvements in subjective appetite and satiety without affecting blood glucose or insulin. The authors concluded that PI2 may support appetite regulation through increased CCK release.

2. The Effect of Potato Protease Inhibitor II on Gastrointestinal Hormones and Satiety During Weight Reduction

Journal: Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity (2020)

Citation:
Schwartz et al. The Effect of Potato Protease Inhibitor II on Gastrointestinal Hormones and Satiety in Humans During Weight Reduction. 2020.

Study Design

• Randomized
• Placebo-controlled
• 20-week intervention
• 52 overweight/obese adults
• Reduced-calorie, high-protein diet

Intervention

150 mg PI2 twice daily before lunch and dinner.

Results

Researchers observed:

• Increased circulating CCK after weight loss
• Improved subjective appetite ratings during portions of the study
• Both groups lost significant weight
• Weight loss itself was not significantly greater than placebo

Clinical Significance

The study suggests PI2 may improve satiety signaling through CCK and help individuals adhere to calorie restriction, but it should not be viewed as a stand-alone weight-loss ingredient.

3.  Potato Protease Inhibitors Inhibit Food Intake and Increase Circulating CCK Levels by a Trypsin-Dependent Mechanism

Journal: International Journal of Obesity (2011)

Citation:
Komarnytsky S, Cook A, Raskin I. Potato protease inhibitors inhibit food intake and increase circulating cholecystokinin levels by a trypsin-dependent mechanism. Int J Obes. 2011.

Study Type

Mechanistic laboratory/animal research.

Findings

Researchers demonstrated:

• Increased circulating CCK
• Reduced food intake
• Mechanism appears related to temporary inhibition of digestive trypsin activity

Clinical Significance

Although not a human clinical trial, this study helps explain the proposed biological mechanism by which PI2 may enhance natural satiety signaling.

Overall Scientific Summary

Current evidence suggests Slendesta® (Potato Protease Inhibitor II) may:

• Support healthy appetite regulation
• Increase natural production of the satiety hormone CCK
• Improve feelings of fullness
• Reduce hunger between meals
• Help individuals adhere to calorie-controlled diets

However, the scientific literature is mixed, with some studies showing significant improvements in appetite and satiety, while others found little or no effect on food intake or weight loss. Overall, the evidence supports Slendesta® as a satiety-support ingredient rather than a stand-alone weight-loss supplement.

Clinical Research on Cocoa

1. Epicatechin, Procyanidins, Cocoa, and Appetite: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2016)

Citation
Greenberg JA, et al.
Epicatechin, procyanidins, cocoa, and appetite: a randomized controlled trial.
Am J Clin Nutr. 2016;104:613-619.

Study Design

• Randomized
• Double-blind
• Placebo-controlled
• Healthy adults

Results

Researchers found that a beverage containing cocoa supplemented with an optimal dose of epicatechin reduced subsequent food intake by approximately 18% compared with placebo.

Conclusion

The authors concluded that cocoa flavanols—particularly epicatechin—may enhance satiety and reduce short-term caloric intake.

2. A 1.6 mg/kg Dose of Epicatechin in Cocoa Reduced Food Intake

Journal: Journal of Functional Foods (2018)

Citation
Greenberg JA, et al.
A 1.6 mg/kg dose of epicatechin in a supplemented cocoa mixture yielded the largest acute decrease in food intake in humans.

Study Design

• Randomized
• Double-blind
• Placebo-controlled
• Cross-over

Results

• 18.1% reduction in food intake
• Higher doses did not produce greater effects
• No significant adverse effects

Conclusion

There appears to be an optimal dose of cocoa epicatechin for appetite regulation rather than a “more is better” effect.

3. Eating Dark Chocolate Improves Satiety

Journal: Nutrition & Diabetes (2011)

Citation
Sorensen LB, et al.
Eating dark and milk chocolate: a randomized crossover study of effects on appetite and energy intake.

Study Design

• Randomized
• Cross-over
• Healthy adults

Results

Compared with milk chocolate, dark chocolate:

• Increased satiety
• Reduced hunger
• Reduced desire for sweet foods
• Reduced desire for fatty foods
• Reduced energy intake at the following meal by 17%

Conclusion

Dark chocolate appears to enhance fullness and reduce subsequent calorie intake.

4. COSMOS Trial (Cocoa Flavanols and Heart Health)

Journal: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2022)

Study Design

• Over 21,000 adults
• Randomized
• Double-blind
• Placebo-controlled
• Average follow-up 3.6 years

Results

Daily cocoa flavanol supplementation:

• Reduced cardiovascular death by approximately 27%
• Showed favorable vascular effects
• Excellent safety profile

Conclusion

Cocoa flavanols support cardiovascular health and endothelial function.

5. Cocoa Flavanols Improve Cognitive Function

Journal: Scientific Reports (2021)

Study Design

• 211 adults
• Randomized
• Controlled
• 12 weeks

Results

Researchers found improvements in specific aspects of cognitive performance among individuals with lower baseline diet quality after cocoa flavanol supplementation.

Conclusion

Cocoa flavanols may support healthy brain aging and cognitive performance.

6. Cocoa Flavanols Improve Exercise Capacity

Journal: European Journal of Preventive Cardiology

Study Design

Healthy older adults received cocoa flavanols for 30 days.

Results

Researchers observed:

• Improved VO₂ peak
• Improved oxygen utilization
• Improved endothelial function
• Lower blood pressure

Conclusion

Cocoa flavanols may improve cardiovascular fitness and vascular health.

Why Cocoa Is Included in Fortifeye Fit Bites

Based on the current scientific literature, high-quality cocoa provides bioactive flavanols that may help support:

• Healthy appetite regulation
• Feelings of fullness (satiety)
• Nitric oxide production
• Healthy blood flow
• Cardiovascular wellness
• Healthy cognitive function
• Antioxidant defense
• Reduced oxidative stress
• Mood and overall well-being

The appetite benefits appear to be related largely to cocoa flavanols—particularly (-)-epicatechin—which may influence satiety signaling and reduce subsequent food intake

Clinical Research on Allulose

Allulose is a naturally occurring “rare sugar” that provides the sweetness of sugar with only about 10% of the calories and minimal impact on blood glucose. Unlike many alternative sweeteners, emerging research suggests allulose may stimulate the body’s natural satiety hormones—including GLP-1, CCK, and PYY—which help promote feelings of fullness and support healthy appetite regulation. Clinical and experimental studies also suggest allulose may support healthy blood sugar control, insulin sensitivity, and metabolic wellness when incorporated into a healthy diet. While allulose is not a GLP-1 medication and should not be viewed as a replacement for prescription therapies, its ability to enhance the body’s own satiety signaling makes it a promising ingredient for healthy weight management.