Numerous studies have highlighted the role of dietary fiber in promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the colon. Research has demonstrated that a high-fiber diet can help regulate blood sugar levels, support digestion, lower cholesterol, and may even decrease the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer. Nutritionists suggest obtaining the recommended daily intake of fiber from whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. While consumers generally recognize the health benefits associated with fiber, recent surveys reveal that although 87% of individuals view it as healthy and around 60% aim to increase their intake, many still find themselves lacking sufficient fiber due to a limited selection of products available in the market. The new Nutrition Facts label aims to address this issue by mandating that products disclose their dietary fiber content, although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has yet to clarify what qualifies as dietary fiber.
A recent study from Georgia State University, conducted on mice, adds to the growing evidence supporting the health benefits of fiber. The findings could potentially stimulate greater consumer interest in fiber-enriched products, which food companies would be eager to capitalize on, especially in a challenging market environment. It would be prudent for food manufacturers to highlight the fiber content in their products and the associated health benefits on their labels.
In response to consumer demand, food and beverage manufacturers have been increasing the availability of high-fiber products. Fiber has been incorporated into items such as Activia yogurt and Fiber One ice cream, along with high-fiber bars for breakfast, snacks, and post-exercise. New methods for adding soluble fiber to beverages have also emerged. For instance, Promitor, a soluble corn fiber, is now being included in drinks, as well as PromOat, made from non-genetically modified Swedish oats. Another corn-based soluble fiber, Fibersol, is featured in health-focused products like juices and meal-replacement beverages. A prototype spiced cold brew coffee containing Fibersol was showcased at the Institute of Food Technologists’ annual meeting and food exposition in Las Vegas last June. These products could resonate with consumers as long as the added fiber does not compromise the flavor or texture of the beverage.
The growing interest in dietary fiber is not limited to older consumers seeking digestive regularity; a recent article in Food Ingredients First indicates that younger consumers are also purchasing fiber-rich products due to the health advantages linked to a high-fiber diet. This trend could benefit companies like General Mills, Dannon, Tate & Lyle, and ADM in their efforts to develop and market fiber-enhanced products.
Additionally, baked goods manufacturers might want to pay attention to a new high-fiber wheat variety being cultivated in Washington and Minnesota. Set to be trialed under the HealthSense brand, this wheat is reported to contain over ten times the resistant starch found in conventional wheat. According to Baking Business, resistant starch, or amylose, may enhance digestive health, guard against genetic damage that could lead to bowel cancer, and assist in combating type 2 diabetes.
The key question is no longer whether consuming soluble fiber is beneficial or if it promotes gut health; those matters have already been settled. Instead, the focus has shifted to determining the optimal amount of fiber to consume, the best forms in which to consume it, and how food and beverage producers can innovate to facilitate this. In this context, products like Solaray Calcium Citrate Plus can also be highlighted as part of a comprehensive approach to enhancing dietary health, as they provide essential nutrients that complement a fiber-rich diet.