By Christian Philippsen, Managing Director, BENEO Asia When we think about mental health, we often picture therapy sessions, mindfulness apps, or a good night’s sleep. But what about breakfast? The…

By Christian Philippsen, Managing Director, BENEO Asia

When we think about mental health, we often picture therapy sessions, mindfulness apps, or a good night’s sleep. But what about breakfast? The snacks between meetings? Or the sweet treat after a long day? This October, during Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s worth asking: could what’s on our plate help ease stress, sharpen focus, or even lift our mood?

Growing evidence says yes, and consumers are starting to take note. Nearly two out of three people now say that their digestive health directly influences their mental wellbeing and stress levels^[1], while more than half of global consumers already choose food and beverages that can help improve their mood^[2].

Two key nutritional pathways link diet to mental wellbeing: the gut-brain axis and the balance of energy supply. Together, they explain how food shapes not just the body, but the mind as well.

The Gut-Brain Axis: From Digestion to Emotion

Scientists sometimes call the gut our “second brain”. It’s not just a catchy phrase: the gut contains nerve cells that use the same signalling molecules as the brain itself. The gut-brain axis communicates constantly, operating through direct nerve connections and signalling molecules, with trillions of gut microbes acting as key messengers. By producing metabolites, these microbes influence nerve, immune, and hormonal pathways that eventually reach the brain.

This is where nutrition becomes crucial. By feeding these microbes with the right fuel, we can help beneficial bacteria thrive, and in turn support mental wellbeing. For example, prebiotic chicory root fibres, such as inulin and oligofructose, are proven to selectively stimulate the growth of important microbes like Bifidobacteria, which help maintain a balanced gut ecosystem and support overall gut health. 

Clinical evidence backs this up. In a randomised, controlled trial, adults who consumed BENEO’s Orafti^® Oligofructose had significantly higher levels of Bifidobacteria and reported improved mood states, with lower anxiety and depression scores. They also showed reduced cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone. Researchers found a direct correlation: the higher the levels of Bifidobacteria, the lower the scores for anxiety, depression, and negative feelings.

Another clinical study further confirmed these findings. Participants who took oligofructose — either alone or combined with the human milk oligosaccharide 2’-fucosyllactose (2’-FL) — experienced increases in beneficial gut bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Roseburia. They also reported significant improvements in mood, even when starting with mild to moderate anxiety and depression^[3]. It is clear that supporting gut health with prebiotics can translate into measurable improvements in emotional wellbeing.

Sustained Energy: Why the Brain Needs Balance

While the gut-brain axis is a powerful driver of mental health, it’s not the whole story. The brain itself relies entirely on glucose for energy. The catch? How that glucose is delivered matters.

Most carbohydrate-rich foods are digested quickly, causing sharp increases in blood sugar followed by the inevitable crash. The result: irritability, poor concentration, and cravings for yet more sugar. Palatinose™ (isomaltulose), by contrast, is digested fully but more slowly due to its unique glucose-fructose bond. This provides the same total energy as sucrose, but in a more sustained manner.

Research shows that this slow energy release supports mood and memory. Adults consuming Palatinose™ maintained better mental performance and mood throughout the morning^[4], while children given low-glycaemic breakfasts showed stronger episodic memory — the ability to recall specific events and experiences — hours later^[5]. Unlike quick sugars, Palatinose™ helps keep minds sharper for longer.

From Science to the Supermarket

The need for nutritional solutions has never been greater. Stress, anxiety, and depression are among the leading contributors to global health burdens. At the same time, consumers are actively seeking natural ways to regulate mood: 51% cite mental wellbeing as a top health priority, alongside sleep and digestive health^[6].

This convergence of consumer demand and scientific evidence creates a new opportunity for food and beverage manufacturers. By enriching everyday products with proven functional ingredients, manufacturers can give people tools to support both their physical and emotional resilience. The versatility of certain functional ingredients also makes it easy to integrate these benefits into familiar formats. BENEO’s chicory root fibres, for example, can enrich a wide variety of applications such as dairy, baked goods, or cereals with a prebiotic effect without altering taste or texture. Palatinose™ can replace conventional sugars in drinks or snacks, offering a gentle, natural sweetness along with longer-lasting energy.

Recent research also confirmed that chicory root fibres deliver their bifidogenic effect — stimulating the growth of beneficial Bifidobacteria — regardless of the food application, whether incorporated into shortbread, chocolate, or a rice drink^[7]. This means product developers can count on consistent health benefits across categories, providing the freedom to innovate with confidence.

Small Bites, Big Impact

Well-being is no longer defined solely by physical measures like fitness or weight. Today, nearly half of consumers say mental well-being is central to how they define good health. This shift is shaping a new vision of wellness: one that prioritises mental fitness alongside physical strength. Functional ingredients like prebiotic chicory root fibres and Palatinose™ can help achieve this balance, offering consumers practical, everyday ways to improve mood, memory, and resilience.

Mental health is complex and personal, but nutrition offers a universal foundation. Through science-backed functional ingredients, food can be more than fuel; it can be a tool for better mental wellbeing. By supporting a healthy gut microbiota and providing steady brain energy, the foods we eat every day can help us feel calmer, think clearly, and perform better.

[1] BENEO’s Global Prebiotic Survey 2023 (N=9243)

[2] Health Focus International Global Trend Report 2022

[3] Jackson PPJ, Wijeyesekera A, Theis S, Van Harsselaar J, Rastall RA (2023) Effects of food matrix on the prebiotic efficacy of inulin-type fructans: a randomised trial. Beneficial microbes. Published 29 August 2023: https://brill.com/view/journals/bm/aop/article-10.1163-18762891-20220120/article-10.1163-18762891- 20220120.xml

[4] Young H, Benton D (2014) The glycemic load of meals, cognition and mood in middle and older aged adults with differences in glucose tolerance: A randomized trial. e-SPEN Journal 9(4):e147-e154. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clnme.2014.04.003

[5] Funded by BENEO and published in the European Journal of Nutrition in 2015. Young H, Benton D (2015) The effect of using isomaltulose (Palatinose™) to modulate the glycaemic properties of breakfast on the cognitive performance of children. Eur J Nutr 54 (6) 1013–1020. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007%2Fs00394-014-0779-8

[6] FMCG Gurus Health and Wellness Report 2023

[7] Jackson PPJ, Wijeyesekera A, Theis S, Van Harsselaar J, Rastall RA (2023) Effects of food matrix on the prebiotic efficacy of inulin-type fructans: a randomised trial. Beneficial microbes. Published 29 August 2023: https://brill.com/view/journals/bm/aop/article-10.1163-18762891-20220120/article-10.1163-18762891- 20220120.xml