The world of sleep supplements is a fascinating one, and a recent study has added an intriguing twist to this growing market. A new analysis funded by Suntory Beverage & Food Asia has revealed that hydrolyzed chicken extract, known as ProBeptigen, may significantly enhance perceived sleep quality among healthy adults with poor baseline sleep. This finding is particularly relevant given the high prevalence of sleep difficulties across Asia, with rates ranging from 26% to 47% in various countries.
The study, published in Frontiers in Nutrition, conducted a secondary analysis of data from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. It focused on 52 healthy subjects aged 35 to 65 with poor baseline sleep quality, as indicated by a Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score of greater than 5. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either 670mg of ProBeptigen or a placebo daily for four weeks.
The results were intriguing. While changes in PSQI global scores did not significantly differ between the two groups, the improvement in the subjective sleep quality component score was significantly greater in the ProBeptigen group (p = 0.006). Additionally, participants who consumed ProBeptigen exhibited a numerically greater improvement in daytime function, though this difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.064).
These findings align with previous research on protein hydrolysates. A study with Japanese participants suffering from insomnia found that bovine alpha-S1 casein tryptic hydrolysate improved PSQI global and subjective sleep quality component scores after two weeks and sleep latency and daytime function after four weeks. Similarly, a four-week study in Korean participants and a four-week study in a healthy German population also showed improvements in PSQI global scores and daytime functioning.
What makes this study particularly interesting is the suggestion that specific bioactive constituents in hydrolyzed chicken extract may contribute to a stronger improvement in perceived sleep quality. ProBeptigen contains various diketopiperazines produced through enzymatic and thermal treatments, and prior in vivo studies suggest that certain diketopiperazines may influence neurotransmitter systems or exhibit sedative effects. It also contains tryptophan, a biochemical precursor of serotonin and melatonin, which are involved in well-characterized sleep regulatory pathways.
However, the exact mechanisms by which ProBeptigen affects sleep quality remain unclear. Further research is needed to clarify these hypotheses and identify the biological processes through which ProBeptigen may influence sleep. This includes evaluating alternative dosing schedules, incorporating larger sample sizes, and using objective sleep measures.
In conclusion, this study adds an exciting dimension to the field of sleep supplements. While more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms at play, the findings suggest that hydrolyzed chicken extract may be a valuable component in a multifaceted sleep management strategy, particularly for those struggling with sleep difficulties in Asia and beyond.
