Long-chain arabinoxylan derived from wheat has potential prebiotic activity and may complement the effects of inulin, an established prebiotic fiber, according to new data from Belgium and the Netherlands.
Improved bowel health, increased satiety and enhanced calcium absorption add to mounting evidence for the health benefits of certain added fibres in the diet, according to Tate & Lyle.
Roquette will showcase chlorella at Vitafoods in Geneva this month with the French supplier pointing to an unpublished in vivo study demonstrating gut health benefits for the micro-algae.
Combining pea protein with oat fiber or apple pectin may help reduce cholesterol, with the effects being additive, suggests new results from the University of Milan in Italy.
Health Canada has approved Ingredion’s NUTRAFLORA prebiotic fiber as a source of dietary fiber under its revised Fiber Policy for Labeling and Advertising of Dietary Fiber-Containing Food Products, introduced in February 2012.
Industry experts are predicting rock star status for fibre – if a global tour was planned most of the stops would be fortified and whole foods, although there might be a few more ‘gigs’ for fibre supplements as the tour progresses with Italy stop numero...
‘High fibre’ claims are traditionally the realm of bakery products, but has recent growing demand for fibre by consumers resulted in a shift away from bread-based products?
Consumer demand for fiber-rich products is predicted to continue to sky rocket, with some industry observers claiming fiber will have ‘rock star’ status for the food and nutrition industries.
Scientists studying pectins that inhibit a protein called galectin-3 - elevated levels of which are associated with a higher risk of heart failure - say their work could create a completely new category of cardiovascular health foods and supplements.
The hunger-suppressing effects of functional fibres have been called into doubt after a new study revealed foods containing ingredients like inulin and corn fibre do not increase feelings of fullness in the short term.
Prebiotic fibers may enhance the absorption and retention in rats, suggests new data from Purdue University with implications for bone health in postmenopausal women.
The re-evaluation of studies dating back to 1991 for a rejected health claim dossier has convinced the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) that prunes can aid bowel movement after all.
Supplementation with fibre rich prebiotics could help to boost bone density by increasing the levels of important minerals absorbed in the gut, according to new research in rats.
University of Copenhagen researchers report that flax fiber consumed in a tablet or as a beverage had similar hunger-suppressing effects, but the greater convenience of the tablets may make them an “attractive alternative” to beverages.
Increased intakes of fiber may reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer by 60%; with both soluble and insoluble forms offering benefits, suggests a new study from Italy.
Continuing on its recent acquisition trail, French botanicals group Naturex has bought up Polish pectin and juice concentrates manufacturer, Pektowin, in a bid to strengthen its concentrates portfolio and expand into emerging regions.
A matter of weeks after it achieved Novel Foods approval for its ingredient Brana Vita, Belgian start-up Fugiea has announced a partnership with Nestlé to develop bran fibre foods.
The European Commission has granted novel food status to Belgium based functional ingredients company Fugeia NV for its wheat bran product Brana Vita, opening up the use of the ingredient in foods and beverages.
Tate & Lyle claims European based production of its ingredient Promitor will benefit both regional and multinational food and drink makers looking for flexibility and speed of delivery as well as cost efficiency in the supply of fibres made from non-GM...
The potential of dietary fiber to aid weight loss and management is dependent on the type and structure of the fiber, but impressive results can be achieved for the right fibers, says a new review from Wageningen University and Kellogg Europe.
Leading prebiotic supplier Beneo-Orafti has pushed up prices for its inulin and oligofructose prebiotic fibres by 8%, citing rising input costs in its first price increase in two years.
A new study has shown that rye or wheat bran fortified breads treated with a particular xylanase can yield good quality breads with a prebiotic effect.
UK firm Probiotics International (Protexin) has acquired fellow UK digestive products maker, The Healthy Bowels Company, in an undisclosed deal that sees Protexin gain control of €2m+ pre-probiotic combination brand, Lepicol.
Consumer awareness of the benefits of prebiotic fibers and probiotics for digestive health has risen steadily in the US over the past five years, according to a new survey into functional foods.
Waste fibres from the agricultural and food processing industry could be used for the nano-encapsulation of bioactives such as probiotics, according to new research.
Increased dietary intakes of fiber are associated with lower risks of dying from cardiovascular, infectious, and respiratory diseases, suggests data from the US National Cancer Institute.
Most consumers have never even heard of them, let alone understand their microbiota-building function. EFSA says they don’t work. And they live in the shadow of their more popular, accessible and bigger selling cousin, probiotics, yet sales continue to...
A clever combination of gut friendly food, consumer education and social media has made Naked Pizza a runaway success. Prebiotic-containing pizza bases will soon be hitting grocery stores, too, says the archaeologist who co-founded the company.
While the food and supplements industry has been talking about prebiotics for well over a decade, most US consumers remain pretty clueless about them, according to marketing experts.
A daily dose of dried plums is more effective for constipation relief than the soluble fiber psyllium, say results from a randomized clinical trial that support claims from grandmothers the world over.
Intervention studies, using better clinical biomarkers are needed in order to establish the health benefits of natural and synthetic fibers, according to a new review paper.
Products that deliver physiological benefits quickly such as those benefitting gut health or boosting energy – will be the most important trend for 2011, according to a new report.
Polyphenol-rich extracts from edible seaweed may have anti-diabetic effects due to their ability to inhibit certain digestive enzymes, according to new research.
European supermarket shelves are still far ahead of their American equivalents with the range of products for digestive health, but the US is catching up fast says a new report.
Dietary supplementation with soluble plant fibers could reduce the effects of Crohn’s disease, whilst emulsifiers in processed foods could be exacerbating the problem, new research reports.
Dextrin and soluble fibers from corn may boost bone mineral content and offer a novel ingredient for the bone health market, suggests a study from Tate & Lyle and Purdue.
Higher intake of both soluble and insoluble dietary fibers may reduce the risk of death from cardiovascular disease amongst Japanese men and women, according to a new study.
A Nestlé research scientist has spoken of the challenges involved in formulating a consumer-friendly, fibre-rich, low-calorie yoghurt drink that promotes satiety.
The UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has ruled against press adverts promoting the bowel health potential of probiotic and fibre-containing food supplements due to a lack of scientific backing.
Combining fructooligosaccharides with resistant starch could produce gut health benefits beyond the mere sum of the parts, suggests a new study from Spain.
Pectin extracted from kiwifruit may boost the levels of beneficial bacteria in the gut and may also be used to microencapsulate probiotics for the health and wellness segment, suggests new research.
Inulin extracted from Agave boosts the populations of beneficial bacteria and may represent an economically interesting alternative to chicory inulin, says a new study.