What kind of company is Taiyo Kagaku based in Yokkaichi, Mie?

Founded in 1948, Taiyo Kagaku is a manufacturer of food ingredients, including emulsifiers and functional food materials. It is known for its strong R&D capabilities and provides high-performance materials globally.

What were the details of the study involving Yoshinoya employees?

136 employees consumed 6g of PHGG daily for two months. The study monitored changes in gut flora and work performance, showing improved concentration and reduced presenteeism.

Improved Labor Productivity (Presenteeism) in Office Workers through Intake of Fermentable Guar Fiber

Q: Where were the research findings presented?

The findings were presented at the 80th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Nutrition and Food Science held at Sunport Takamatsu in Kagawa Prefecture on May 16.

Published May 18, 2026 11:00 PM ・ Updated Jun 2, 2026 1:04 PM ・ 5 min read ・ Source: PR TIMES

A research group including Taiyo Kagaku, Yoshinoya Holdings, and Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine revealed that continuous intake of Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum (PHGG) improves gut environment, work productivity, and sleep quality in office workers. In a two-month study of 136 Yoshinoya employees, participants showed increased beneficial bacteria, better concentration, and reduced morning sleepiness.

A research group consisting of Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine (Professor Yuji Naito and Professor Tomohisa Takagi), Setsunan University (Professor Ryo Inoue), International University of Health and Welfare (Professor Tatsuo Shimozawa), Yoshinoya Holdings Co., Ltd. (President Tetsuya Naruse), and Taiyo Kagaku Co., Ltd. (President Naganobu Yamazaki) announced research findings on May 16 at the 80th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Nutrition and Food Science. The study revealed that continuous consumption of Guar fiber (Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum, PHGG), a known prebiotic, improves the gut environment of office workers and enhances labor productivity (reducing presenteeism) and quality of life (QOL).

Modern office workers often suffer from digestive issues such as constipation and diarrhea due to long desk hours, mental stress, and irregular eating habits. These conditions lead to 'presenteeism'—where employees are physically present but work inefficiently due to health issues—which is a major factor in declining corporate productivity.

While PHGG has been previously known for improving bowel movements and gut flora, this study verified its impact from the perspective of 'Health and Productivity Management,' focusing on actual labor productivity, sleep quality, and gut environment.

From February to March 2025, 136 employees of Yoshinoya Holdings consumed 6g of PHGG daily. Assessments before and after the intake included gut microbiota (16S rRNA analysis), gastrointestinal symptoms (Izumo Scale), labor productivity (WHO-HPQ), and sleep quality (OSA-MA sleep questionnaire).

Key Findings: - Significant increase in beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium involved in producing short-chain fatty acids. - Improvements in gut environment specific to individual types (e.g., improvement in loose stool tendencies). - Significant reduction in digestive distress such as constipation and heartburn. - Significant improvements in performance-related items: enhanced concentration during work, improved presenteeism scores, and reduced morning sleepiness.

This study demonstrates that PHGG contributes broadly not only to physical health but also to psychological and performance aspects by regulating the gut environment.

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Source: PR TIMES
Category: Survey

Improved Labor Productivity (Presenteeism) in Office Workers through Intake of Fermentable Guar Fiber

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