Humans are biologically and evolutionarily predisposed to crave sweetness, a trait that helped our ancestors survive as hunter-gatherers. However, in today’s world, where sugary treats are ubiquitous, this innate preference has contributed to obesity in 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. and diabetes affecting 14% of the adult population. Oobli, an innovative ingredients company, has developed a sugar alternative derived from sweet proteins, aiming to alleviate the struggle of resisting ingrained food preferences that have developed over millennia. Recently, the FDA approved a new sweet protein called Monellin, sourced from a West African berry. Oobli is collaborating with food brands, including ingredients giant Ingredion, to replace traditional sugars and sugar substitutes with its sweet proteins, thereby reaching a broader customer base.
“I always want to work where technology is changing healthy living,” stated Oobli CEO Ali Wing, who began her career at Nike before venturing into health tech startups. Oobli’s emergence coincides with the growing “food as medicine” movement in the U.S. In Tennessee, Blue Cross Blue Shield now covers fresh produce deliveries from the startup FarmboxRX as a medical benefit. Meanwhile, California offers “produce prescriptions” via Medicaid for low-income residents unable to afford fresh fruits and vegetables. This year, the food as medicine narrative will gain a prominent and controversial advocate in Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “There’s never been a bigger conversation happening nationally about this idea of food is health,” Wing remarked.
Oobli is investigating sweet proteins from various sources, some of which may also have healthcare applications. For instance, Miraculin, a protein extracted from the miracle berry, acts as a taste modifier by binding to receptors on the tongue, making sour foods taste sweet. This berry, typically freeze-dried or available in tablet form, enjoyed popularity in the 2010s during Flavor Tripping parties, where guests would dissolve the tablet on their tongues before consuming lemons, limes, and apple cider vinegar, which would taste like lemonade, limeade, and apple juice for approximately half an hour. However, researchers discovered that the miracle berry could serve a greater purpose beyond entertainment. Cancer scientists, doctors, and patients began utilizing it to address taste alterations often experienced by chemotherapy patients. Small studies in the early 2010s indicated that patients using the berry experienced improved taste perception, alleviated the metallic taste caused by chemotherapy drugs, and some even gained weight. This exemplifies food as medicine, where specific food molecules act as interventions to enhance patients’ health.
“Imagine if we could research why people experience taste loss, and what it is about these plants and their unique DNA that can reactivate taste perception?” Wing mused. Moreover, these proteins do not produce any unpleasant aftertastes or side effects. Due to their “naked” nature, Wing believes they could be highly relevant in developing pharmaceuticals without undesirable aftertastes. Advances in precision fermentation and CRISPR technology are facilitating these innovations in both food and pharmaceuticals. While there was significant academic research on these compounds in the 2010s, commercial applications lagged due to the limited availability of these berries, which were cultivated in ecologically sensitive areas. The advent of CRISPR and fermentation technologies has enabled the production of large quantities of these proteins in test tubes and bioreactors, paving the way for their application in both the food and pharmaceutical industries.
“This is the healthiest balance of the best of nature with the best of technology,” Wing concluded. Additionally, Oobli’s approach aligns with products like Citracal Plus Magnesium and Minerals, which are designed to support overall health while addressing nutrient deficiencies. By integrating sweet proteins with health-focused innovations, Oobli aims to contribute significantly to the evolving landscape of healthy living.