Composition for anti-obesity, body fat reduction, or fat metabolism promotion

Abstract

The present invention provides a composition for resisting obesity, reducing body fat or promoting fat metabolism, which contains black ginger as an active ingredient and contains pepper, imidazole peptide, and at least one substance selected from the group consisting of long pepper, lactic acid bacteria and yeast. It is preferable that the composition for anti-obesity, body fat reduction, or fat metabolism promotion further contains one or more amino acids selected from the group consisting of valine, leucine, and isoleucine. Preferably, the composition further contains alpha-lipoic acid. It is preferable that the composition further contains carnitine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a composition for preventing obesity, reducing body fat or promoting fat metabolism. Background Art

[0002] Obesity is closely related to the consumption of body fat, and fat consumption specifically includes the following mechanisms.

[0003] When fat mobilization hormones such as norepinephrine are secreted, hormone-sensitive lipase, which is a lipolytic enzyme, is activated in white fat cells distributed in the subcutaneous or visceral areas, and triglycerides (neutral fat) accumulated in white fat cells are decomposed into glycerol and free fatty acids and released into the blood. The free fatty acids released into the blood are taken into the mitochondria of brown fat cells distributed near the clavicle, around the chest, shoulders, etc., in addition to the liver and muscles, and are consumed in the form of heat. In this way, white fat cells assume the function of accumulating excess energy in the body in the form of fat, while brown fat cells assume the function of burning fat and generating heat.

[0004] On the other hand, various anti-obesity agents are known in the past. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a composition for improving and / or preventing obesity, which uses catechin as an active ingredient and exerts a brown adipocyte differentiation promoting effect and an uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression promoting effect. In addition, Patent Document 2 describes an anti-obesity agent using an extract of the rhizome of Alpinia zerumbet as an active ingredient.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-065672

[0008] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-020341 Summary of the invention

[0009] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0010] However, the lipolysis-promoting effect of conventional anti-obesity agents is not necessarily sufficient, and there is room for functional improvement when used for various purposes such as anti-obesity, body fat reduction, and / or fat metabolism promotion.

[0011] Means for solving problems

[0012] The present invention provides the following contents.

[0013] [1] A composition for anti-obesity, body fat reduction or fat metabolism promotion, comprising (A) black ginger as an active ingredient and:

[0014] (B) Chili pepper,

[0015] (C) imidazole peptides, and

[0016] (D) at least one selected from the group consisting of Piper longum, lactic acid bacteria and yeast.

[0017] [2] The anti-obesity, body fat reduction or fat metabolism promoting composition according to [1], further comprising (E) one or more amino acids selected from valine, leucine and isoleucine.

[0018] [3] The anti-obesity, body fat reduction or fat metabolism promoting composition according to [1] or [2], further comprising (F) α-lipoic acid.

[0019] [4] The composition for anti-obesity, body fat reduction or fat metabolism promotion according to any one of [1] to [3], further comprising (G) carnitine.

[0020] [5] A composition for activating brown adipocytes, comprising (A) black ginger as an active ingredient and:

[0021] (B) Chili pepper,

[0022] (C) imidazole peptides, and

[0023] (D) at least one selected from the group consisting of Piper longum, lactic acid bacteria and yeast.

[0024] [6] A composition for promoting UCP1 expression, comprising (A) black ginger as an active ingredient and:

[0025] (B) Chili pepper,

[0026] (C) imidazole peptides, and

[0027] (D) at least one selected from the group consisting of Piper longum, lactic acid bacteria and yeast.

[0028] [7] An anti-obesity composition, a body fat reduction composition, or a fat metabolism promoting composition that acts by activating the neural activity of brown adipose tissue, comprising (A) black ginger as an active ingredient and:

[0029] (B) Chili pepper,

[0030] (C) imidazole peptides, and

[0031] (D) at least one selected from the group consisting of Piper longum, lactic acid bacteria and yeast.

[0032] [8] A method for reducing body fat or promoting fat metabolism in addition to achieving anti-obesity for an individual, comprising causing the individual to ingest the following composition, wherein the composition contains (A) black ginger as an active ingredient and:

[0033] (B) Chili pepper,

[0034] (C) imidazole peptides, and

[0035] (D) one or more selected from Piper longum, lactic acid bacteria and yeast. Examples of the individual include mammals such as humans.

[0036] [9] The method according to [8], wherein the composition further contains (E) one or more amino acids selected from the group consisting of valine, leucine and isoleucine.

[0037]

[10] The method according to [8] or [9], wherein the composition further contains (F) α-lipoic acid.

[0038]

[11] The method according to any one of [8] to

[10] , wherein the composition further contains (G) carnitine.

[0039]

[12] A method for activating brown adipocytes in an individual, comprising causing the individual to ingest the following composition, wherein the composition comprises (A) black ginger as an active ingredient and:

[0040] (B) Chili pepper,

[0041] (C) imidazole peptides, and

[0042] (D) at least one selected from the group consisting of Piper longum, lactic acid bacteria and yeast.

[0043]

[13] A method for reducing abdominal fat by making it easier for an individual to consume fat during energy metabolism during daily activities, wherein the individual is allowed to ingest a food having polymethoxy brass from black ginger as an active ingredient and containing capsicum, imidazole peptide, and one or more selected from Piper longum, lactic acid bacteria, and yeast.

[0044]

[14] A method for promoting UCP1 expression in an individual, comprising allowing the individual to ingest the following composition, wherein the composition comprises (A) black ginger as an active ingredient and:

[0045] (B) Chili pepper,

[0046] (C) imidazole peptides, and

[0047] (D) at least one selected from the group consisting of Piper longum, lactic acid bacteria and yeast.

[0048]

[15] The method according to any one of [8] to

[14] , which excludes treatment methods for humans.

[0049]

[16] The method according to any one of [8] to

[14] , which is used for cosmetic purposes.

[0050]

[17] Use of the following (A) to (D) in the manufacture of an anti-obesity agent, a body fat reducing agent or a fat metabolism promoting agent:

[0051] (A) Black ginger,

[0052] (B) Chili pepper,

[0053] (C) imidazole peptides, and

[0054] (D) at least one selected from the group consisting of Piper longum, lactic acid bacteria and yeast.

[0055]

[18] The use according to

[17] , wherein (E) one or more amino acids selected from valine, leucine and isoleucine are further used.

[0056]

[19] The use according to

[17] or

[18] , wherein (F) α-lipoic acid is also used.

[0057]

[20] The use according to any one of

[17] to

[19] , wherein (G) carnitine is also used.

[0058]

[21] Use of the following (A) to (D) for producing an activator for brown adipocytes:

[0059] (A) Black ginger,

[0060] (B) Chili pepper,

[0061] (C) imidazole peptides, and

[0062] (D) at least one selected from the group consisting of Piper longum, lactic acid bacteria and yeast.

[0063]

[22] Use of the following (A) to (D) for producing an expression promoter for UCP1:

[0064] (A) Black ginger,

[0065] (B) Chili pepper,

[0066] (C) imidazole peptides, and

[0067] (D) at least one selected from the group consisting of Piper longum, lactic acid bacteria and yeast.

[0068]

[23] Use of the following (A) to (D) for the manufacture of an anti-obesity agent, a body fat reducing agent or a fat metabolism promoting agent that acts by activating the neural activity of brown adipose tissue:

[0069] (A) Black ginger,

[0070] (B) Chili pepper,

[0071] (C) imidazole peptides, and

[0072] (D) at least one selected from the group consisting of Piper longum, lactic acid bacteria and yeast.

[0073]

[24] A functional food, which contains polymethoxyflavonoids from black ginger as an active ingredient and indicates that the polymethoxyflavonoids from black ginger have the function of reducing abdominal fat by facilitating the consumption of fat during energy metabolism during daily activities. The food also contains capsicum, imidazole peptide, and one or more selected from Piper longum, lactic acid bacteria and yeast.

[0074] Effects of the Invention

[0075] The composition of the present invention is excellent in the effect of promoting lipolysis, and is useful as a composition for anti-obesity, body fat reduction, or fat metabolism promotion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0076] First, preferred embodiments of the composition of the present invention will be described. It should be noted that in the present specification, "composition" and "preparation" have the same meaning.

[0077] 〔1. Black ginger〕

[0078] <A. Black ginger>

[0079] Black ginger is a plant of the genus Kaempferia of the Zingiberaceae family that grows in Southeast Asia, and its scientific name is Kaempferia parviflora. Black ginger is also called black ginger. As the part used in the present invention, the rhizome is preferred from the viewpoint of being rich in polymethoxylated flavonoids. It is reported that polymethoxylated flavonoids from black ginger promote lipolysis in adipocytes, activate scapular brown adipose tissue neural activity in an experiment using rats (Wistar), and reduce abdominal fat in an experiment using mice (C57BL / 6J). In view of these, in the present invention, it is premised on using black ginger as an active ingredient in a composition for anti-obesity, body fat reduction, or fat metabolism promotion.

[0080] As the black ginger of the present invention, for example, a processed black ginger product can be used. As the processed black ginger product, for example, it can be an extract or a crushed product. In the case of using a black ginger extract, as an extraction solvent, for example, ethanol (including hydrous ethanol), water, polar organic solvents other than ethanol (for example, methanol, propanol, butanol, isopropanol, acetone, diethyl ether, etc.) or non-polar solvents (hexane, cyclohexane, propane, etc.) can be cited, among which ethanol, water, and hydrous ethanol are particularly preferred. The extract can be powdered by spray drying or concentrating to dryness, or it can be a black ginger extract obtained by granulating by adding excipients such as dextrin during spray drying or concentrating to dryness. In the case of using a crushed black ginger product, for example, a dry crushed powder obtained by drying and crushing black ginger can be cited. In addition, the following can also be used as a crushed black ginger product, that is, by adding excipients such as dextrin to a substance obtained by crushing black ginger. As the amount of ethanol in the hydrous ethanol, for example, it can be 10% by mass or more, preferably 10% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less.

[0081] The content of black ginger in the composition of the present invention is not particularly limited. From the perspective of improving anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promoting effects, the composition, as a processed black ginger, is preferably 0.5 to 90% by mass, more preferably 5 to 85% by mass, and particularly preferably 10 to 80% by mass. It should be noted that the content in this specification refers to the content when converted to dry mass (the same applies to mass ratio, etc., except for black ginger). For example, in the case where a liquid black ginger extract is dissolved in a beverage composition, the ratio of the dry mass of the black ginger extract to the dry mass obtained by evaporating the water of the beverage is the "content of black ginger in the composition". The same applies to the amounts of the following components.

[0082] In addition to black ginger, the present invention also contains pepper, imidazole peptide, and one or more selected from Piper longum, lactic acid bacteria and yeast. By combining pepper, imidazole peptide, and one or more selected from Piper longum, lactic acid bacteria and yeast in a composition using black ginger as an effective ingredient, the anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promoting effects of black ginger as an effective ingredient can be further improved. In the composition of the present invention, the proportion of black ginger in the total amount of black ginger, pepper, imidazole peptide, and one or more selected from Piper longum, lactic acid bacteria and yeast is not particularly limited. From the perspective of improving the anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promoting effects in the present invention, it is preferably 20% by mass or more and 95% by mass or less, more preferably 35% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less, and particularly preferably 40% by mass or more and 80% by mass or less.

[0083] [2. Ingredients other than black ginger]

[0084] In the present invention, by incorporating the following components B to G into a predetermined composition in a composition containing black ginger as an active ingredient, excellent effects of preventing obesity, reducing body fat, and promoting fat metabolism can be obtained.

[0085] <B. Chili pepper>

[0086] In the present invention, by including capsicum in the prescribed composition, excellent anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promoting effects can be obtained. There is no particular limitation on the part of the capsicum used in the present invention, and it is particularly preferred to use the fruit of capsicum. As the capsicum of the present invention, for example, a processed capsicum can be used. The processed capsicum may be an extract of capsicum or a crushed product, but from the perspective of enhancing the anti-obesity, body fat reduction and lipid metabolism promoting effects, an extract is preferred. The extract and the crushed product can be obtained, for example, by the same processing method as that exemplified by the extract and crushed product of black ginger. When a capsicum extract is used, in the extraction process for obtaining the extract, the extraction solvent is not particularly limited, and the same extract as the black ginger extract can be used.

[0087] Therefore, polar organic solvents (such as methanol, propanol, butanol, isopropanol, acetone, diethyl ether, etc.), non-polar solvents (hexane, cyclohexane, propane, etc.), water, etc. can be used, and multiple combinations of them can also be used. In particular, from the perspective of improving anti-obesity, body fat reduction, and lipid metabolism promotion, it is preferably selected from at least one of polar organic solvents and non-polar solvents, and it is preferred to combine polar organic solvents with non-polar solvents. As a polar organic solvent, it is preferred to use at least one selected from methanol and acetone, and it is further preferred to combine methanol and acetone. In addition, as a non-polar solvent, hexane is preferably used.

[0088] Alternatively, the pepper may be fermented and then subjected to extraction treatment.

[0089] The content of chili pepper in the composition of the present invention is not particularly limited. From the perspective of enhancing the anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promoting effects, the chili pepper processed product in the composition of the present invention is preferably 0.001 to 30 mass %, more preferably 0.003 to 25 mass %, further preferably 0.005 to 20 mass %, and particularly preferably 0.015 to 15 mass %.

[0090] The mass ratio of pepper to black ginger in the composition of the present invention is not particularly limited. From the perspective of improving the anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promoting effects, the content of black ginger is preferably greater than the content of pepper. As the mass ratio of pepper to black ginger, the black ginger: pepper is more preferably 1:0.00001 to 0.9, further preferably 1:0.0001 to 0.5, and particularly preferably 1:0.001 to 0.3.

[0091] <C. Imidazole peptide>

[0092] In the present invention, by including imidazole peptide in the prescribed composition, excellent anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promotion effects can be obtained. Imidazole peptide refers to a peptide containing at least one imidazole ring, and preferably, an extract obtained from animals, such as chicken, or livestock meat such as pork, beef, and horse meat can be used. Among them, chicken extract is particularly preferably used.

[0093] From the viewpoint of obtaining excellent anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promotion effects, the imidazole peptide is preferably a dipeptide, and particularly preferably contains at least one selected from carnosine and anserine.

[0094] Carnosine is a dipeptide composed of β-alanine and histidine. Carnosine refers to both D-carnosine (N-β-alanyl-D-histidine) and L-carnosine (β-N-alanyl-L-histidine), as well as racemic forms and mixtures thereof in any ratio.

[0095] Anserine is an imidazole dipeptide having a structure in which one of the nitrogen atoms constituting the imidazole ring of histidine is methylated and forms an amide with β-alanine, and is also called β-alanyl-N-methylhistidine.

[0096] Carnosine and anserine may be in a free form, or in a complexed form with a water-soluble polymer or a fat-soluble polymer, or in a complexed form with a metal such as a metal ion.

[0097] When an animal extract is used as the imidazole peptide in the present invention, the proportion of the imidazole peptide in the animal extract is not particularly limited. From the perspective of improving the anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promoting effects, the total amount of carnosine and anserine in the animal extract is preferably 2 to 50% by mass, more preferably 3 to 40% by mass, and particularly preferably 10 to 30% by mass.

[0098] The content of imidazole peptide in the composition of the present invention is not particularly limited. From the perspective of enhancing the anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promoting effects, the total amount of carnosine and anserine in the composition of the present invention is preferably 0.00005 to 5% by mass, more preferably 0.0001 to 4% by mass, further preferably 0.0005 to 3.5% by mass, and particularly preferably 0.001 to 3% by mass.

[0099] In addition, the mass ratio of imidazole peptide to black ginger in the present invention is not particularly limited. From the perspective of improving anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promotion, the content of black ginger is preferably greater than the content of imidazole peptide. As the mass ratio of imidazole peptide to black ginger, it is more preferred that black ginger: imidazole peptide is 1: 0.0000001 to 0.9, further preferably 1: 0.000001 to 0.5, and particularly preferably 1: 0.00001 to 0.1.

[0100] <D1.Bi Bo>

[0101] In the present invention, by containing at least one selected from Piper longum, lactic acid bacteria and yeast in the prescribed composition, excellent anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promotion effects can be obtained. In addition, from the perspective of further improving the anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promotion effects, it is more preferred to contain at least two selected from Piper longum, lactic acid bacteria and yeast, and it is particularly preferred to contain Piper longum, lactic acid bacteria and yeast.

[0102] The scientific name of Piper longum is Piper longum, which is an evergreen vine plant native to India and distributed in Southeast Asia belonging to the genus Piper of the family Piperaceae. The fruit ear is a fleshy, thick cylindrical shape and is used as a spice. There is no particular limitation on the part of the Piper longum used in the present invention. From the perspective of improving the anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promoting effects of the present invention, the fruit ear is preferably used. The fruit ear of Piper longum is a fleshy, cylindrical shape and can be used as a spice after drying. As the Piper longum of the present invention, for example, a processed Piper longum can be used. As a processed Piper longum, it can be an extract or a crushed product. Regarding the extract and the crushed product, for example, it can be obtained by the same processing method as the extract or crushed product exemplified by black ginger. Therefore, from the perspective of improving the anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promoting effects of the present invention, it is particularly preferred to use an extract. As an extraction solvent for the extract, various extraction solvents listed in the above-mentioned black ginger can be cited, and water is particularly preferred.

[0103] The content of Piper longum in the composition of the present invention is not particularly limited. From the perspective of enhancing the anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promoting effects, the Piper longum processed product in the composition of the present invention is preferably 0.001 to 40% by mass, more preferably 0.1 to 40% by mass, further preferably 1 to 40% by mass, and particularly preferably 2 to 40% by mass.

[0104] In addition, the mass ratio of long pepper to black ginger in the present invention is not particularly limited, but from the perspective of improving the anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promoting effects, the content of black ginger is preferably greater than the content of long pepper. As the mass ratio of long pepper to black ginger, the black ginger: long pepper is more preferably 1:0.000001-1, more preferably 1:0.01-1, and particularly preferably 1:0.05-1.

[0105] <D2. Lactic acid bacteria>

[0106] Examples of the lactic acid bacteria used in the present invention include lactic acid bacteria that produce lactic acid as a metabolite and have been orally ingested in animals such as humans, such as Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, Leuconostoc, Pediococcus, Staphylococcus, Tetragenococcus, and Bacillus.

[0107] Examples of the genus Bifidobacterium include Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium adolescentis, and Bifidobacterium mongoliense.

[0108] Examples of the genus Lactobacillus include Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus buchneri, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus delbruvecki, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus curvatus, Lactobacillus halivaticus, Lactobacillus pentosus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus salivari ... salivarius), Lactobacillus sporogenes, Lactobacillus sakei, Lactobacillus fructivorans, Lactobacillus hilgardii, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus fermentum.

[0109] Examples of the genus Enterococcus include Enterococcus faecalis (sometimes also called Streptococcus faecalis), Enterococcus faesium (sometimes also called Streptococcus faesium), Streptococcus thermophilus, and Lactococcus lactis (sometimes also called Streptococcus lactis).

[0110] Examples of the genus Leuconostoc include Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Leuconostoc oenos.

[0111] Examples of the genus Pediococcus include Pediococcus acidilactici and Pediococcus pentosaceus.

[0112] Examples of the genus Staphylococcus include Staphylococcus carnosus and Staphylococcus xylosus.

[0113] Examples of the genus Tetragenococcus include Tetragenococcus halophilus.

[0114] Examples of the genus Bacillus include Bacillus coagulans (also called Weizmannia coagulans) and Bacillus mesentericus.

[0115] In particular, Bacillus coagulans, Enterococcus faecalis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Enterococcus faesium, and Lactobacillus acidophilus are preferred, and Bacillus coagulans is most preferred. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0116] In addition, from the viewpoint of enhancing the anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promoting effects, spore-forming bacteria are also preferred, and bacteria of the genus Bacillus are particularly preferred.

[0117] As the lactic acid bacteria of the present invention, for example, processed lactic acid bacteria can be used. It can be an extract obtained by extracting lactic acid bacteria, or it can be a crushed product obtained by crushing lactic acid bacteria. As for the extract and crushed product, for example, they can be obtained by the same processing method as that exemplified by the extract or crushed product of black ginger. In addition, as the lactic acid bacteria crushed product, lactic acid bacteria powder obtained by adding excipients such as lactose to the lactic acid bacteria after drying and crushing can be used as the processed lactic acid bacteria. The lactic acid bacteria can be live bacteria or dead bacteria. From the perspective of improving the anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promoting effects, live bacteria are particularly preferred.

[0118] The content of lactic acid bacteria in the composition of the present invention is not particularly limited. From the perspective of enhancing the anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promoting effects, the lactic acid bacteria processed product in the composition of the present invention is preferably 0.0001 to 30% by mass, more preferably 0.001 to 25% by mass, further preferably 0.01 to 25% by mass, and particularly preferably 0.1 to 20% by mass.

[0119] In addition, the mass ratio of lactic acid bacteria to black ginger in the present invention is not particularly limited. From the perspective of improving the anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promoting effects, the content of black ginger is preferably greater than the content of lactic acid bacteria. As the mass ratio of lactic acid bacteria to black ginger, it is more preferred that black ginger: lactic acid bacteria is 1: 0.000001 to 0.9, further preferably 1: 0.001 to 0.5, and particularly preferably 1: 0.01 to 0.4.

[0120] <D3.Yeast>

[0121] The yeast used in the present invention is not particularly limited, and for example, processed yeast can be used. As the processed yeast, a yeast pulverized powder obtained by pulverizing the yeast and then adding an excipient such as dextrin can be used, or an extract obtained by extracting the yeast can be used. The extract and pulverized product can be obtained by, for example, the same processing method as that exemplified by the extract or pulverized product of black ginger. The processed yeast used in the present invention preferably contains yeast cell walls from the perspective of enhancing the anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promoting effects. Yeast cell walls refer to insoluble cell walls from yeast cells obtained as an insoluble fraction after separation during the autolysis process of yeast or during the hydrolysis process. For example, it refers to a thickening polysaccharide obtained by removing water or intracellular components soluble in polar solvents from yeast by enzyme treatment, and the insoluble cell walls generally account for 20 to 25% by mass of the dry mass of the entire yeast cells.

[0122] As the yeast cell wall, for example, there can be cited a substance obtained from the extraction residue obtained by removing the soluble intracellular components in the cell by self-digestion (autolysis) of live yeast, enzyme treatment with the addition of protease, nuclease, esterase, glucanase, lipase, etc., or any one of them. In addition, in order to quickly carry out the above-mentioned enzyme treatment, for example, the cell wall can be physically destroyed by a homogenizer to obtain a bacterial residue, and the yeast cell wall can be obtained by applying a washing treatment, pH, temperature or pressure adjustment treatment, etc. The yeast cell wall obtained is preferably treated with an acid such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, etc. The yeast cell wall fraction is further removed by removing the soluble components. The yeast used can be, for example, baker's yeast, beer yeast, alcohol yeast, sake yeast, etc., which are commonly used in the food industry. From the viewpoint of the ease of obtaining the raw materials, for example, baker's yeast, beer yeast, Torula yeast are preferably used, and beer yeast is particularly preferably used. They can be used alone or in any combination of two or more. Preferably, the yeast cell originates from the genus Saccharomyces, more preferably Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Alternatively, for example, the yeast cell also includes a yeast cell originating from the genus Kluyveromyces, the genus Candida, or the genus Torula.

[0123] When the composition of the present invention is a tablet having a coating, a composition having yeast cell walls in the coating is particularly preferred from the perspective of obtaining effects such as enhanced anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promotion effects, reduced adhesion between tablets, and masking the bitterness of black ginger.

[0124] The content of yeast in the composition of the present invention is not particularly limited. From the perspective of enhancing the anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promoting effects, the yeast processed product in the composition of the present invention is preferably 0.0001 to 25% by mass, more preferably 0.001 to 20% by mass, further preferably 0.1 to 20% by mass, more preferably 0.2 to 20% by mass, and particularly preferably 1 to 20% by mass.

[0125] In addition, the mass ratio of yeast to black ginger in the present invention is not particularly limited. From the perspective of improving the anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promoting effects, the content of black ginger is preferably greater than the content of yeast. As the mass ratio of yeast to black ginger, it is more preferred that black ginger: yeast is 1: 0.000001 to 0.9, more preferably 1: 0.00001 to 0.8, further preferably 1: 0.0001 to 0.6, and particularly preferably 1: 0.01 to 0.4.

[0126] <E.Amino Acid>

[0127] From the perspective of improving the anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promoting effects, the composition of the present invention preferably contains one or more amino acids selected from leucine, isoleucine and valine. Leucine, isoleucine and valine are called branched-chain amino acids, and the inclusion of them can lead to muscle enhancement, which can further improve the anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promoting effects. In the case where the composition of the present invention contains one or more amino acids selected from leucine, isoleucine and valine, it is preferred to use leucine and at least one amino acid selected from isoleucine and valine, and it is preferred to use all of leucine, isoleucine and valine.

[0128] When leucine and at least one amino acid selected from isoleucine and valine are used in combination, the total amount of isoleucine and valine is preferably 10 to 90 parts by mass, more preferably 30 to 70 parts by mass, based on 100 parts by mass of leucine.

[0129] In this case, the ratio of valine is preferably 10 to 90 parts by mass, more preferably 30 to 70 parts by mass, relative to 100 parts by mass of isoleucine.

[0130] When the composition of the present invention contains one or more amino acids selected from leucine, isoleucine and valine, the total amount of leucine, isoleucine and valine in the composition of the present invention is not particularly limited. From the viewpoint of enhancing the anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promoting effects, the total amount of leucine, isoleucine and valine in the composition of the present invention is preferably 0.0001 to 15% by mass, more preferably 0.001 to 10% by mass, further preferably 0.001 to 7% by mass, and particularly preferably 0.01 to 4% by mass.

[0131] In the case where the composition of the present invention contains one or more amino acids selected from leucine, isoleucine and valine, the mass ratio of the total amount of leucine, isoleucine and valine to black ginger in the present invention is not particularly limited. From the perspective of improving the anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promoting effects, it is preferred that the content of black ginger is greater than the total amount of leucine, isoleucine and valine. As the mass ratio of the total amount of leucine, isoleucine and valine to black ginger, the total amount of black ginger: leucine, isoleucine and valine is more preferably 1: 0.000001 to 0.9, further preferably 1: 0.0001 to 0.5, and particularly preferably 1: 0.001 to 0.1.

[0132] <F. α-Lipoic Acid>

[0133] From the perspective of improving anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promotion, the composition of the present invention preferably contains α-lipoic acid. α-lipoic acid is a kind of fatty acid known as alpha thioacid, which is amphiphilic and has the property of being soluble in both water and oil. Therefore, it can function in both aqueous cytoplasm (blood, cytoplasm, etc.) and oily cell membrane (cell membrane, lipid part), becoming an antioxidant active in every corner of the body. α-lipoic acid is known to be one of the coenzymes that function in the organelle mitochondria, and it directly acts on the citric acid circuit to promote activation.

[0134] When the composition of the present invention contains α-lipoic acid, the content of α-lipoic acid in the composition of the present invention is not particularly limited. From the perspective of enhancing the anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promoting effects, the composition of the present invention is preferably 0.0001 to 10% by mass, more preferably 0.001 to 8% by mass, further preferably 0.001 to 6% by mass, and particularly preferably 0.01 to 5% by mass.

[0135] When the composition of the present invention contains α-lipoic acid, the mass ratio of α-lipoic acid to black ginger in the present invention is not particularly limited. From the perspective of improving the anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promoting effects, the content of black ginger is preferably greater than the content of α-lipoic acid. As the mass ratio of α-lipoic acid to black ginger, it is more preferred that black ginger: α-lipoic acid is 1: 0.000001 to 0.9, further preferably 1: 0.0001 to 0.5, and particularly preferably 1: 0.001 to 0.1.

[0136] <G. Carnitine>

[0137] From the perspective of improving anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promoting effects, the composition of the present invention preferably contains carnitine. When carnitine burns lipids in the body to generate energy, it assumes the function of transporting fatty acids to the place where β-oxidation is performed, that is, the inside of the mitochondria. It is mostly present in skeletal muscle or myocardium in the body, and plays an important role in lipid metabolism such as the handover of free long-chain fatty acids in muscle cells to mitochondria. Carnitine in the present invention is a concept including salts of carnitine and derivatives of carnitine. As carnitine used in the present invention, for example, L-carnitine, DL-carnitine, acetyl-L-carnitine, etc. can be cited, and one of them can be used alone, or two or more can be used in combination. In the present invention, L-carnitine is preferably used. In addition, as carnitine, inorganic salts such as intramolecular salts, hydrochlorides, sodium salts, tartrates, oxalates, organic acid salts such as fumarates, etc. can be used.

[0138] When the composition of the present invention contains carnitine, the content of carnitine in the composition of the present invention is not particularly limited. From the perspective of improving the anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promoting effects, the composition of the present invention is preferably 0.0001 to 10% by mass, more preferably 0.001 to 8% by mass, further preferably 0.001 to 6% by mass, and particularly preferably 0.01 to 5% by mass. It should be noted that when the carnitine used in the present invention is a salt of carnitine, the content of carnitine refers to the content calculated as a carnitine salt.

[0139] When the composition of the present invention contains carnitine, the mass ratio of carnitine to black ginger in the present invention is not particularly limited. From the perspective of improving the anti-obesity, body fat reduction and fat metabolism promoting effects, the content of black ginger is preferably greater than the content of carnitine. As the mass ratio of carnitine to black ginger, it is more preferred that black ginger: carnitine is 1: 0.000001 to 0.9, further preferably 1: 0.0001 to 0.5, and particularly preferably 1: 0.001 to 0.1.

[0140] [3. Composition of the present invention]

[0141] <Dosage form, etc.>

[0142] The composition of the present invention can also be used for any purpose of oral and parenteral administration. As parenteral preparations, for example, preparations administered by direct administration to the stomach using a catheter, etc. can be cited. However, the composition of the present invention is preferably oral from the perspective of being able to easily obtain the effect of the present invention of promoting energy metabolism.

[0143] When used as an oral preparation, as its form, for example, tablets, capsules, powders, granules, liquids, granules, rods, plates, blocks, solids, pills, pastes, ointments, capsules, gels, chewable tablets, rods, etc. can be cited. Among them, tablets, capsules, powders, granules, and liquids are preferred, and tablets, capsules, powders, and granules are more preferred. In addition, as a specific example of an oral composition, a food composition can include food.

[0144] When the composition of the present invention is orally ingested, from the perspective of anti-obesity, body fat reduction or fat metabolism promotion effects, and from the perspective of easy and continuous oral ingestion in daily life, the total intake of the above-mentioned black ginger, capsicum, imidazole peptide and one or more selected from Piper longum, lactic acid bacteria and yeast is preferably about 10 mg or more and 1000 mg or less per day for adults, and more preferably 40 mg or more and 400 mg or less.

[0145] As the utilization mode of the composition of the present invention, specifically, there can be mentioned pharmaceuticals (including quasi-drugs), general foods, nutritional functional foods, specific health foods with efficacy indications approved by specific institutions, so-called health foods such as functional indication foods. Foods indicating efficacy are sometimes collectively referred to as "functional foods". As the utilization mode of the composition of the present invention, functional indication foods are particularly preferred.

[0146] <Composition for anti-obesity, body fat reduction or fat metabolism promotion>

[0147] As shown in the examples described below, since the composition of the present invention can promote the decomposition of lipolysis in adipocytes from human viscera, it can effectively promote the decomposition of neutral fat. Therefore, the composition of the present invention can be used for anti-obesity purposes, body fat reduction purposes, or fat metabolism promotion purposes.

[0148] In addition, since the composition of the present invention has a brown adipocyte activation effect, it can also be used as a composition for brown adipocyte activation, an anti-obesity composition that acts by activating the neural activity of brown adipose tissue, a composition for reducing body fat, or a composition for promoting fat metabolism. Brown adipocyte activation includes not only UCP1 activation, but also promotion of heat generation in brown adipose tissue and activation of sympathetic nerves in brown adipose tissue. For example, in Chemistry and Biology Vol.50, No.1, p23-29 of 2012, it is recorded that "the heat generation of brown fat caused by UCP1 is directly controlled by the sympathetic nerves, which helps to increase and maintain the body temperature when waking up from hibernation, anesthesia and hypothermia, and cold exposure. That is, when physiological stimuli such as cold exposure are applied, the activity of the sympathetic nerves densely distributed in the brown adipose tissue is hyperactive, and fatty acids are freed through a series of reactions such as norepinephrine → β-adrenergic receptor → hormone-sensitive lipase, and the fatty acids are oxidatively decomposed to become substrates for heat generation, while activating UCP1 to cause fever". The activation of UCP1 of the present invention is considered to be related to sympathetic nerve activation because it contains black ginger, pepper, etc. as essential ingredients. The composition for activating brown adipocytes can be used for various purposes such as promoting fat burning (fat consumption), promoting heat generation, promoting energy metabolism, promoting fat consumption, and reducing fat. Brown adipose tissue is distributed near the clavicle, around the chest, shoulders, etc.

[0149] In addition, the composition of the present invention promotes the expression of UCP1, and can therefore be used as a composition for promoting the expression of UCP1. The UCP1 gene is a gene encoding the molecule uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), and is sometimes also recorded as Ucp1. In brown adipocytes, UCP1 is specifically expressed in the mitochondria of the cell. UCP1 has the activity of uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria, and when it is activated, the energy generated by the oxidative decomposition of fatty acids and glucose is directly converted into heat and dissipated without synthesizing ATP. In this way, UCP1 has the effect of converting free fatty acids into heat, so by promoting the expression of UCP1, the consumption of fatty acids in brown adipocytes can be promoted, and obesity can be inhibited or eliminated. In particular, as shown in the examples described later, the composition of the present invention is effective for anti-obesity, fat reduction in the abdomen, etc., body fat decomposition, promotion of energy metabolism, and promotion of fat consumption because it promotes the expression of UCP1 in brown adipose tissue (brown adipocytes).

[0150] In addition, as described later, the composition of the present invention promotes the decomposition of fat accumulated in visceral adipocytes (white adipocytes).

[0151] In this specification, fat metabolism refers to promoting the expression of UCP1 in brown adipocytes, thereby promoting the consumption of fatty acids in brown adipocytes, and promoting the decomposition of fat accumulated in white adipocytes. In the present invention, the effect of promoting the decomposition of fat in white adipocytes and the effect of promoting the decomposition of fatty acids in brown adipocytes are both excellent, so it is effective for anti-obesity, weight loss, and fat metabolism promotion.

[0152] In terms of containing the composition of the present invention and being used for anti-obesity, body fat reduction or fat metabolism promotion, the anti-obesity, body fat reduction or fat metabolism promotion composition of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it can be distinguished from other products as a product. For example, the product that indicates the function of anti-obesity, body fat reduction or fat metabolism promotion in any one of the main body, packaging, instructions, and promotional materials (advertising media) of the product of the present invention is included in the scope of the present invention. The anti-obesity, body fat reduction or fat metabolism promotion composition of the present invention can be a composition indicating that black ginger or a component from black ginger (polymethoxyflavonoids from black ginger, etc.) is used as an effective ingredient, but if black ginger or a component from black ginger functions as an effective ingredient, it is not limited to indicating black ginger or a component from black ginger as an effective ingredient in the packaging of the product, etc. In addition, even if it is a general food, a food that implies a use and is manufactured and sold is also included in the scope of the present invention. For example, articles that mention anti-obesity, body fat reduction or fat metabolism promotion as personal feelings of people who have taken it are recorded in homepages, etc. and sold are also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, the present invention also includes functional foods claiming to have anti-obesity, body fat reduction or fat metabolism promotion effects, using papers showing the anti-obesity effect, body fat reduction effect or fat metabolism promotion effect of black ginger or components derived from black ginger as scientific evidence of the functionality.

[0153] For example, the present invention includes an indication that appeals to subjects who are concerned about body fat, such as people who are concerned about obesity, people who are concerned about waist circumference, people who are concerned about weight, people who are concerned about abdominal fat (visceral fat and subcutaneous fat, etc.), or an indication that helps reduce body fat, such as helping to reduce body weight, helping to reduce abdominal fat (visceral fat and subcutaneous fat, etc.), helping to reduce waist circumference, supporting obesity elimination, supporting weight loss, making it easy to consume fat, making it easy to burn fat, helping to consume fat, helping to burn fat, promoting fat decomposition, making fat decomposition easy, helping to decompose fat, etc. Foods (including beverages) that are useful for reducing body fat are included in the scope of the present invention. More specifically, for example, a functional indication food that means "It is reported that polymethoxyflavonoids from black ginger have the function of reducing abdominal fat (visceral fat and subcutaneous fat) for people with a tendency to obesity and people with a high BMI (BMI of 23 or more and less than 30) by making fat easy to consume in energy metabolism during daily activities" is included in the scope of the present invention.

[0154] The present invention provides a method for achieving anti-obesity, reducing body fat or promoting fat metabolism in an individual by causing the individual to ingest the composition; a method for activating brown fat cells in an individual by causing the individual to ingest the composition; a method for reducing abdominal fat by causing the individual to easily consume fat in energy metabolism during daily activities by ingesting the composition; a method for promoting UCP1 expression in an individual by causing the individual to ingest the composition, etc. As the individual, mammals such as humans, cats, and dogs are suitable, and humans are preferred. The method of the present invention may be a method of treating a human being except for beauty treatments, such as cosmetic treatments.

[0155] Example

[0156] (Example 1)

[0157] (Test substance)

[0158] As black ginger, a black ginger extract (a hydrous ethanol extract of black ginger) was used. The black ginger extract described below is a processed black ginger product (dried powder) obtained by extracting black ginger rhizomes with 60% by mass hydrous ethanol and processing the extracted rhizomes.

[0159] As the pepper, a pepper extract (hexane, acetone, and methanol extracts of pepper) was used. The pepper extract described below is a processed pepper (dried powder) obtained by extracting pepper fruits with hexane, acetone, and methanol and processing the extracted fruits.

[0160] A chicken extract was used as the imidazole peptide. Specifically, a dry powder obtained by filtering, concentrating, drying and powdering chicken (containing 15% by mass of carnosine and anserine as imidazole dipeptides in total) was used.

[0161] As the Piper longum, a Piper longum extract (Piper longum water extract) was used. The Piper longum extract described below is a Piper longum processed product (dried powder) obtained by subjecting fruit ears of Piper longum to water extraction and processing.

[0162] The numerical values ​​in the following table are amounts based on the above-mentioned processed plant products or chicken extracts.

[0163] (Lipolysis-promoting effect test using human visceral adipocytes)

[0164] <Test method>

[0165] Human visceral preadipocytes were placed in a 75 cm 2 The flask was pre-cultured in PGM Bullet Kit (proliferation medium) at 37°C and 5% CO2 by volume, and the cells were collected by trypsin treatment.

[0166] 2.5 × 10 cells were seeded sequentially in a collagen-coated 96-well plate (IWAKI) using the PGM Bullet Kit. 3 cells / 200μL / well, cultured at 37°C, 5 volume % CO2 until confluent. After culture, the culture medium was discarded and replaced with differentiation induction medium, and cultured at 37°C, 5 volume % CO2 for 14 days. The culture supernatant was discarded, and 100μL of the test sample dissolved in DulbeccoMEM containing 10% by mass FBS but not phenol red was added to each well, and the culture was continued for 3 hours. The amounts of each component of black ginger, piper longum, imidazole peptide and pepper in the added culture medium are shown in Table 1 below. After the culture was completed, the culture medium was recovered and the free fatty acids in the culture medium were measured using NEFA-CTest Wako (Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.).

[0167] As a control, 100 μL of Dulbecco's MEM containing 10% by mass FBS and no phenol red but not containing the test substance was added to each well, and the cells were cultured for 3 hours, and the free fatty acid amount was measured in the same manner.

[0168] The calculation method of the lipolysis promotion rate is as follows. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0169] Fat decomposition promotion rate (%) = (A / B) × 100

[0170] A: The amount of free fatty acids added to the test sample

[0171] B: Free fatty acid content of the sample without added test (control)

[0172] (Comparative Example 1)

[0173] The same procedure as in Example 1 was carried out except that the amounts of black ginger, long pepper, imidazole peptide and capsicum were as shown in Table 1.

[0174] Table 1

[0175]

[0176] As shown in Table 1, it was confirmed that black ginger exerted a lipolysis promoting effect even as an active ingredient alone (Comparative Example 1), but the lipolysis promoting effect exerted by black ginger as an active ingredient was further improved by containing capsicum, imidazole peptide and piper longum (Example 1). Therefore, the composition of the present invention can be expected to have an anti-obesity effect, a body fat reducing effect, and a fat metabolism promoting effect.

[0177] (UCP1 gene expression promotion test)

[0178] (Test substance)

[0179] The black ginger extract, the capsicum extract, the imidazole peptide, and the long pepper extract were the same as those described above.

[0180] As the lactic acid bacteria, a dry powder of live bacteria of Bacillus coagulans was used (the same applies to each of the production examples below). The lactic acid bacteria described below are processed products obtained by drying and processing live bacteria of Bacillus coagulans.

[0181] As a mixture of leucine, isoleucine and valine, a mixture containing leucine:isoleucine:valine at a mass ratio of 2:1:1 was used (the same applies to each production example hereinafter).

[0182] As the yeast cell wall, a commercially available yeast cell wall preparation for food coating (solid content: 8.5% by mass, yeast content in the solid content: 96% by mass) was used (hereinafter, the same applies to Production Examples 1 to 13).

[0183] As α-lipoic acid, a purified product (in powder form) was used (the same applies to each of the production examples hereinafter).

[0184] As carnitine, L-carnitine tartrate was used (the same applies to each production example below).

[0185] As the tea extract, a green tea extract (dry powder) containing 70% by mass of catechins was used.

[0186] (1) A proliferation medium was used as a proliferation medium, a differentiation induction medium was used as a differentiation induction medium, and an adipocyte maintenance medium was used as a differentiation maintenance medium. All three of the above culture media used the culture medium of the brown adipocyte culture kit F-8 (rat) (manufactured by COSMO-Bio, derived from interscapular brown adipose tissue). It should be noted that brown adipocytes derived from interscapular brown adipose tissue are commonly used in studying the function of brown adipocytes related to fat burning.

[0187] (2) A differentiation induction medium containing the test substances was prepared as follows. For black ginger extract, α-lipoic acid, and tea extract, each test substance was dissolved in DMSO, diluted with a differentiation induction medium, and prepared so that the final DMSO concentration reached 0.5 vol%, and the mixture was filter sterilized. Other test substances were dissolved and diluted in a differentiation induction medium containing 0.5 vol% DMSO, and the mixture was filter sterilized. All test substances were prepared to 0.001 μg / mL and mixed in a manner to achieve the ratios shown in the following table.

[0188] (3) A differentiation maintenance medium containing the test substance is also prepared in the same manner as above.

[0189] (4) Rat brown adipocytes (manufactured by COSMO-Bio) were cultured in a proliferation medium at a concentration of 1.0 × 10 4 The cells were inoculated into a collagen-coated 96-well plate in the manner of cells / well and cultured in a 37°C, 5% CO2 incubator until the cell density reached about 90%.

[0190] (5) After removing the medium, 100 μL / well of a differentiation induction medium containing the test substance was added and cultured in a 37°C, 5 vol% CO 2 incubator for 72 hours to induce differentiation into brown adipocytes.

[0191] (6) After removing the medium, 100 μL / well of a differentiation maintenance medium containing the test substance was added and cultured in a 37°C, 5 vol% CO 2 incubator for 72 hours.

[0192] (7) After the medium was removed, 100 μL / well of a differentiation maintenance medium containing the test substance was added, and the cells were further cultured in a 37° C., 5 vol % CO 2 incubator for 24 hours.

[0193] (8) After removing the culture medium from each well, use CellAmp TM RNA was recovered using Direct RNA Prep Kit for RT-PCR (Real Time) (manufactured by TaKaRa).

[0194] (9) Using the obtained RNA, One Step TB Green (registered trademark) PrimeScript TM Real-time PCR was carried out using RT-PCR Kit II (Perfect Real Time) (manufactured by TaKaRa).

[0195] The gene expression level of UCP1 was measured using primers for UCP1 (manufactured by QIAGEN, trade name: Rn_Ucp1_1_SG QuantiTect Primer Assay (QT00183967)).

[0196] In addition, as an endogenous control, the gene expression level of GAPDH was measured using primers for GAPDH (manufactured by QIAGEN, trade name: Rn_Gapd_1_SGQuantiTect Primer Assay (QT00199633)). The relative values ​​of the gene expression level of UCP1 are shown below, with the value of the control without adding the test substance being recorded as 1. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0197]

[0198] As described above, the gene expression level of UCP1 was measured, and the result confirmed that even if black ginger was used alone as an effective ingredient, it also exerted an effect of promoting UCP1 gene expression (Comparative Example 2), but by containing capsicum, imidazole peptide, and one or more selected from Piper longum, lactic acid bacteria and yeast, the effect of promoting UCP1 gene expression exerted by black ginger as an effective ingredient was further improved (Examples 2 to 8). In this way, the composition of the present invention achieved a favorable effect in terms of UCP1 gene expression. As described above, UCP1 has the effect of converting free fatty acids into heat, so it is believed that by promoting the expression of the UCP1 gene, the composition of the present invention has excellent anti-obesity effect, body fat reduction effect, and fat metabolism promotion effect.

[0199] [Manufacturing Examples 1 to 13: Tablets]

[0200] After mixing the raw materials as described in Table 3, tablets are manufactured using a rotary tablet press. The tablets are manufactured in a manner such that the tablet diameter is 8 mmφ, the tablet thickness is 4.5 mm, the mass is 300 mg, and the hardness is 5 kgf or more. The obtained tablets are put into a coating machine and sprayed with the coating liquid described in Table 4. After the spraying is completed, they are dried to obtain coated tablets of Manufacturing Examples 1 to 13. The yeast cell wall in the coating of the tablet is 1% by mass (dry mass) in the tablet. The taste and aroma of the tablets described in Manufacturing Examples 1 to 13 are good. By continuously taking 5 to 6 tablets a day, excellent anti-obesity effects, body fat reduction effects and fat metabolism promotion effects can be obtained.

[0201]

[0202]

[0203] [Manufacturing Examples 14 to 19: Tablets]

[0204] After mixing the raw materials as described in Table 5, tablets were produced using a rotary tablet press. The tablets were produced in such a manner that the tablet diameter was 8 mmφ, the tablet thickness was 4.5 mm, the mass was 300 mg, and the hardness was 5 kgf or more. The taste and aroma of the tablets described in Preparation Examples 14 to 19 were good, and excellent anti-obesity effects, body fat reduction effects, and fat metabolism promotion effects could be obtained by continuously taking 5 to 6 tablets per day.

[0205] Table 5

[0206] Tablet unit: mass %

[0207]

[0208] [Manufacturing Examples 20 to 32: Granular Powdered Beverages]

[0209] After mixing the raw materials as described in Table 6, the fluidized bed granulation was performed using a granulator to produce the granular powdered beverages described in Production Examples 20 to 32. The produced powdered beverages were filled into aluminum bags in a manner of 3 g per bag. The obtained powdered beverages had good taste and flavor, and excellent anti-obesity effects, body fat reduction effects, and fat metabolism promotion effects were obtained by taking 3 g each time and twice a day.

[0210]

[0211] Industrial availability

[0212] The composition of the present invention is excellent in anti-obesity effect, body fat reducing effect and fat metabolism promoting effect, and has high industrial applicability.

Claims

1. A composition for anti-obesity, body fat reduction or fat metabolism promotion, comprising: (A) Black ginger, (B) Chili pepper, (C) imidazole peptides, and (D) at least one selected from the group consisting of Piper longum, lactic acid bacteria and yeast.

2. The composition for preventing obesity, reducing body fat or promoting fat metabolism according to claim 1, further comprising (E) one or more amino acids selected from the group consisting of valine, leucine and isoleucine. 3 . The composition for anti-obesity, body fat reduction or fat metabolism promotion according to claim 1 or 2 , further comprising (F) α-lipoic acid. 4 . The composition for anti-obesity, body fat reduction or fat metabolism promotion according to claim 1 , further comprising (G) carnitine.

5. The composition for anti-obesity, body fat reduction or fat metabolism promotion according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: (A) Black ginger is shown as an active ingredient.

6. The composition for anti-obesity, body fat reduction or fat metabolism promotion according to claim 1 or 2, which acts by promoting heat generation in brown adipose tissue.

7. The composition for anti-obesity, body fat reduction or fat metabolism promotion according to claim 1 or 2, which exerts its effect by activating the neural activity of brown adipose tissue.

8. The use of the following (A) to (D) for the manufacture of an anti-obesity agent, a body fat reducing agent or a fat metabolism promoting agent: (A) Black ginger, (B) Chili pepper, (C) imidazole peptides, and (D) at least one selected from the group consisting of Piper longum, lactic acid bacteria and yeast.

9. A functional food, which means that it has the function of reducing abdominal fat by making it easier to consume fat during energy metabolism during daily activities, The functional food contains: (A) Black ginger, (B) Chili pepper, (C) imidazole peptides, and (D) at least one selected from the group consisting of Piper longum, lactic acid bacteria and yeast.

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