Healthier Snacks Through Fiber Enrichment

PREBIOTIC DIETARY FIBERS OFFER ADDED VALUE THANKS TO THEIR POSITIVE EFFECTS ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

For a long time, dietary fibers were regarded as uneffective and possibly even damaging due to their indigestible properties – but that was until the first indications of their beneficial effects on the body became apparent, and everything that had previously been assumed turned out to be wrong. Nowadays, experts recommend regularly including foods rich in fiber in the diet. Prebiotic ingredients from the chicory root, such as Orafti® Inulin and Orafti® Oligofructose from BENEO, make the addition of fiber to a wide range of food and beverages both quick and easy. They help close the gap between actual consumption levels and the higher intake levels recommended for optimum health. Their positive effect on the digestive system has been scientifically proven and, in addition, they are easily processed by the body. Thanks to an EU health claim, these benefits can be communicated clearly and easily.

Global fiber deficiency

According to World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, adults should consume an average of 30g of dietary fiber per day. However, it is well known that a large proportion of the population is unable to hit that target. In fact, according to Euromonitor International’s 2017 Passport Nutrition data only three countries consume more than this recommended amount.

Dietary fibers promote intestinal health by increasing stool volume, for example, and support regular bowel movements. They also supply the colon mucosa with nutrients to aid the intestinal barrier function. The prebiotic fibers, including inulin and oligofructose, have proven blood sugar and cholesterol-lowering effects and serve as food for “good” intestinal bacteria, encouraging their growth.