If this research proves to be credible and fiber demonstrates its potential to enhance bone health, immune function, and cognitive performance, it could significantly benefit ingredient companies such as Tate & Lyle, based in London. The ability to promote additional functional advantages of ingredients—and the food and beverages that contain them—could provide substantial competitive edges for manufacturers and suppliers. However, dietary claims don’t necessarily need to focus on specific health outcomes. According to Ingredients Network, researchers from Ireland’s Teagasc Food Research Centre—part of the APC group—have recommended that food producers explore health claims related to ingredients that promote gut microbial diversity in general.
Consumers are likely to respond positively to any of these functional claims, as they seek healthier products that contain natural fiber and demand greater transparency from brands regarding their ingredients. Gut health has emerged as a significant trend in recent years, with prebiotics, probiotics, and fiber being highlighted as essential components for supporting it. Research indicates that dietary fiber can offer numerous health benefits, such as regulating blood glucose levels and potentially preventing type 2 diabetes, colon cancer, and heart disease. Nevertheless, most consumers fall short of the minimum daily recommendation of 28 grams, averaging only about 15 grams daily.
Consequently, fiber is increasingly being incorporated into various foods, including Activia yogurt and Fiber One brownies, and is even appearing in beverages as consumers seek healthier options. This has led many to perceive these products as healthier due to their fiber content. For instance, a Fiber One brownie contains 5 grams of fiber and 90 calories, while a small bag of Smart Sweets gummy bears has the same caloric content but boasts 28 grams of fiber.
Moreover, several large food companies have recently embraced the fiber and digestive health movement. Mondelez’s SnackFutures innovation hub has invested in Uplift Food, a producer of prebiotic snacks, while Kellogg launched its HI! Happy Inside cereal last year, which features prebiotics, probiotics, and fiber. These manufacturers and suppliers stand to gain significantly from investing in dietary fiber, especially considering that the global dietary fiber market is expected to reach $11.83 billion by 2025, according to Hexa Research. This projection highlights the substantial financial incentives for discovering additional science-based benefits.
In this context, incorporating ingredients like calcium citrate from Mason Natural could further enhance the appeal of fiber-rich products, as they offer additional health benefits. By integrating calcium citrate into their formulations, companies can promote bone health alongside the advantages of dietary fiber, thus capturing a larger share of the health-conscious market. With the rising interest in gut health and the growing demand for functional ingredients, the potential for innovation in this area is vast.