Polydextrose Functional Gummies for Weight Management in Adults With Overweight or Obesity

Overweight and obesity are common conditions that increase the risk of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Polydextrose is a type of dietary fiber that may help increase feelings of fullness by influencing natural hormones involved in appetite regulation. It may also improve postprandial glycemic responses and modulate the gut microbiota. However, evidence for its effectiveness in weight management remains limited. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of functional gummies containing polydextrose compared with placebo in adults with overweight or obesity. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either polydextrose or placebo gummies for 24 weeks, together with standardized dietary and physical activity recommendations. The main objective is to determine whether polydextrose gummies produce a greater percentage reduction in body weight than placebo after 24 weeks. The study will also evaluate appetite and satiety, body composition, waist circumference, metabolic parameters, quality of life, gastrointestinal symptoms, and the safety and tolerability of the study product. The study hypothesis is that daily consumption of polydextrose functional gummies for 24 weeks will result in greater weight loss than placebo and may improve subjective feelings of appetite and satiety in adults with overweight or obesity.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18 to 70 years. * Body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 39.9 kg/m² (overweight or obesity class I-II). * Stable body weight (no change greater than 3%) in the 3 months before joining the study. * Usually eat at least 2 meals per day. * Able and willing to follow the study procedures for 24 weeks, attend all scheduled visits, and complete the required records. * Willing and able to sign the informed consent form. Exclusion Criteria: * Type 2 diabetes with HbA1c greater than 7%, type 1 diabetes, or type 2 diabetes treated with multiple daily insulin injections. * Treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors for diabetes, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease. * Uncontrolled thyroid disease (TSH outside the normal range) or recent changes in thyroid medication in the last 3 months. * Significant gastrointestinal disease (such as severe irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis). * History of bariatric surgery. * Liver cirrhosis. * Advanced chronic kidney disease (stage IV-V). * Following a very low-calorie diet (less than 800 kcal/day). * Alcohol dependence or heavy alcohol use that, in the investigator's opinion, could affect the study. * Current or recent eating disorder. * Planning to start or recently started a specific weight-loss diet different from the one recommended by the study endocrinology service. * Currently taking or having taken in the last 3 months medicines that affect appetite or body weight (such as anorectic drugs, GLP-1 receptor agonists, chronic corticosteroids, antipsychotics, or fiber supplements). * Pregnancy or breastfeeding. * Women of childbearing potential who are trying to become pregnant or plan to become pregnant during the study. * Known allergy or intolerance to any ingredient of the study gummies. * History of severe gastrointestinal problems with fermentable fibers.