TITLE:
The Effects of Food Containing Pueraria Flower Extract on Resting Energy Metabolism: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Study
AUTHORS:
Daisuke Aoyagi, Teppei Inatomi, Toru Enami, Takumi Morikawa, Shinichiro Takashima, Tomoyasu Kamiya, Kinya Takagaki, Yoshitaka Iwama, Ryota Kobayashi
KEYWORDS:
Pueraria Flower Extract, Resting Fat Oxidation, Resting Energy Expenditure, Resting Energy Metabolism, Kudzu
JOURNAL NAME:
Food and Nutrition Sciences,
Vol.17 No.10,
October
29,
2026
ABSTRACT: Background: Obesity is associated with an increased risk of various lifestyle-related diseases. Enhancing fat oxidation may improve energy metabolism and help prevent obesity. Basal metabolic rate (BMR) accounts for approximately 50% - 70% of total daily energy expenditure, and resting energy expenditure (REE) closely reflects BMR. Therefore, this study examined the effects of Pueraria flower extract (PFE) on resting fat oxidation and REE in healthy adult men. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study included healthy adult men. Participants were randomly assigned to the active or placebo group and consumed either active food containing PFE (35 mg/day of isoflavones as tectorigenins) or placebo food for 8 weeks. The primary outcome was resting fat oxidation, measured before and after the intervention by indirect calorimetry under resting conditions. Secondary outcomes were REE, carbohydrate oxidation, and respiratory exchange ratio (RER), each measured under resting conditions. Results: Resting fat oxidation increased significantly more in the active group than in the placebo group (P P Conclusions: The increases in resting fat oxidation and REE suggest that PFE may enhance energy metabolism under resting conditions in healthy adult men.